JY Ætna was designed originally by Francesco Griffo in 1495, and appeared in a book by Cardinal Bembo the following year. The typeface was re-created by Jack Yan in 1994, in time for its 500th anniversary.

The original x-heights, quaint letters and other niceties have been restored. An italic complement, based on the design by Giovantonio Tagliente, has also been developed.

JY Ætna has been one of JY&A Fonts’ more popular families over the years, with some typographers preferring its taller ascenders and descenders for headline work.