| ![Show Contents]() Melendes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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 Spain The distinguished surname Melendes comes from Spain, a country rich in culture and history. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Spain were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Spanish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and the most common patronymic suffix is ez. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. Some names are derived from the saints of the Christian Church, but many Spanish surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. The Visigoths, who ruled Spain between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries had a profound impact on the development of surnames. Early Origins of the Melendes familyThe surname Melendes was first found in Asturias, birthplace of the Reconquest. The first record of the family was Gutier Menéndez (c. 865 - 934), the most powerful Galician magnate of his time in the Kingdom of León. He was related to the royal family through marriages and acted as a powerbroker in the civil wars that followed the disputed succession of 925. His brother-in-law was Ordoño II, king of Galicia from 910 and then of León from 914 until his death in 924. In his will, Gutier says that during his career he obtained wealth through "royal grants, booty in war and other means" in addition to the wealth that he had inherited. His brother was Count Arias Menendez and one of the count's daughter Elvira Arias, married her cousin Muio (fl. 911-955.) Early History of the Melendes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Melendes research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1519, 1565, 1574, 1579, 1620, 1622, 1623, 1634, 1659, 1675, 1692, 1839, 1841, 1842, 1844, 1845 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Melendes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Melendes Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Ménendez, Menendez, Méndez, Mendez, Meléndez, Melendez, Ménez, Menez and many more. Early Notables of the Melendes familyProminent among members of the family 14th century nobleman Ruy Méndez de Sevilla; 16th century Spanish soldier and writer Luis Méndez Quijada; Afonso Mendes (1579-1659), a Jesuit theologian, and Patriarch of Ethiopia from 1622 to 1634; 17th century Spanish politician Luis Méndez de...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Melendes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Melendes familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Diego Méndez, who voyaged to Peru and fought alongside Almagro. Other settlers include Antonio Menéndez, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1779 with his wife Teresa Vicenta.
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