Origin of the surname Mendez

Recorded in several spelling forms including Menendez, Menendes, Mendez, Melendez, and Mendes, this famous Spanish and Portuguese surname is of German origins. The German tribe known as the Vizigoths occupied Spain for three centuries from about 410 a.d., and left behind many names which are now found world-wide as surnames. In this case the development is from the compound personal name of the pre 5th century 'Hermenegild', from the elements 'ermen' meaning 'entire' and 'gild', a present. This name it is said, was born by an original member of the Visigoth royal family, who converted to Christianity, and was subsequently canonised.

As a result of the ensuing publicity, the name became even more popular in the Middle Ages. Early examples of the surname recording taken from authentic church and civil registers include Pedro Valdes Menendes, who married Josepha de Santiesteban, at San Miguel, Arcangel, Mexico, on March 28th 1706, and Jazinto Menendez, christened at the same place, on February 2nd 1773. Antonia Mendez was an early recording in California, being christened at Mission San Carlos de Borromeo, Monterey, on July 9th 1868. The coat of arms granted in Spain has the blazon of a silver field, a blue lion rampant, collared in gold. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Pedro Francisco Menendez, which was dated December 29th 1642, at Plasencia, Caceres, Spain, during the reign of King Phillip 11 of Spain, Emperor of Mexico, 1621 - 1665. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Hispanic surname deriving from the Spanish patronymic and meaning son of Mendo (perhaps originating from the name Ermenegildo).

The surname is present in Italy especially in the Cuban, Peruvian, Filipino and Ecuadorian communities.

The surname Mendez. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname mendez is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of mendez. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname mendez is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname mendez, and in addition to the original locations of mendez, we can find out where people with the surname mendez can currently be found.

The surname Mendez around the world

It is common for surnames like mendez to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname mendez provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname mendez has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Mendez

The historical journey of the surname mendez can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of mendez. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname mendez, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of mendez developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname mendez are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname mendez, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about mendez and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname mendez or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of mendez.

Notable Figures Named Mendez

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all mendezs who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname mendez were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like mendez can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname mendez who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Mendez and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname mendez. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of mendez are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname mendez, as well as many other surnames.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of mendez, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Mendez