Caldeira History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Caldeira was first found in the Portuguese town of Serta, in the province of Castelo, during the reigns of King Fernando (1367-1383) and King Joao I (1383-1433) where Gonzalo Rodrigues, a noble knight lived. He was made captain by King Joao and fought bravely under him in the Battle of Aljubarota, in which the Portuguese defeated the invading Castilian army, and secured the independence of Portugal. In this battle, Gonzalo Rodrigues wrested two treasures from the Castilians, one was a silver angel, which he offered to the king, who in turn donated it to the "Colegiada de Guimaraes"; the other was a prized bronze cauldron, large enough to cook three or four oxen together, which he kept in the monastery of Alcobaca. For his services and his bravery in battle, King Joao I ordered that he take the name of "caldeira", or "cauldron", in remembrance of his exploits, and granted him the coat of arms. 1

Because he returned this boiler to the Castilians, which is said to have lifted him into the air with his great strength, and in remuneration for the great services rendered, the King ordered him to take the name of Boiler as his nickname, a piece also remembered in the arms. 1