Alvarez History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Spain

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The mountainous borders of Spain contain the origins of the prestigious surname Alvarez. 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. The name Alvarez is derived from the baptismal name Alvaro. The surname originally referred to one who was faithful and honest.

Early Origins of the Alvarez family

The surname Alvarez was first found in Castile, where the name originated in Visigothic times.

Early History of the Alvarez family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alvarez research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1101, 1662 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Alvarez History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alvarez Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Alvarez, Albaraz, Alvaroz, Albaroiz, Alvariz, Alvares, Alvar and many more.

Early Notables of the Alvarez family

Prominent among members of the family

were Pedro and Garcia Alvarez, knights in the service of King Alfonso VI in 1101
Alfonso Alvarez de Villasandino and Juan Alvarez Gato, fifteenth century poets
Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, who fought for Ferdinand and Isabella during the conquest of Granada
Hernando Alvarez de Toledo, Notary to Ferdinand and Isabella
Gabriel Alvarez de Toledo y Pellicer (1662-1714), Royal Librarian of King Felipe V of Spain
Jorge Alvarez Lleras, a Colombian engineer and science writer
Maria Alvarez Tubau, a nineteenth century Spanish theatrical actress, director and drama teacher
brothers Joaquin and Serafin Alvarez Quintero of Seville, early twentieth century playwrights
Fernando Alvarez de Sotomayor, a twentieth century Spanish artist

Alvarez World Ranking

In the United States, the name Alvarez is the 220^th most popular surname with an estimated 119,376 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Alvarez is ranked the 662^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,169 people with that name. 2 And in South America, the name Alvarez is the 8^th popular surname with an estimated 295 people with that name. 3

Alvarez migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alvarez Settlers in United States in the 16th Century

Anton Alvarez, who settled in America in 1512
Alonso Alvarez, who arrived in America in 1528
Ana Alvarez, who settled in America in 1535
Ana Rodriguez Alvarez, who settled in Peru in 1567
Andres Alvarez, who settled in New Granada in 1567
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Alvarez Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Antonia Alvarez, who settled in New Orleans in 1779

Alvarez Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Manuel Alvarez, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1802 4
Nicolas Alvarez, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1803 4
Julian Alvarez, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1803 4
Juliana Alvarez, who arrived in America in 1811 4
Hemand Alvarez, who landed in America in 1811 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Alvarez Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Angel Alvarez, who settled in Tampa, FL in 1901

Alvarez migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 5

Alvarez Settlers in West Indies in the 16th Century

Agustin Alvarez, who arrived in Dominican Republic in 1579

Contemporary Notables of the name Alvarez (post 1700) +

Luis Walter Alvarez (1911-1988), American physicist, Nobel Prize winner in 1968 for his work in elementary particle research
Julia Altagracia Alvarez (b. 1950), American novelist and poet
Eugenio Alfredo Alvarez (1918-1976), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1972; Member of New York State Assembly 75th District, 1973-74 6
Donald R. Alvarez, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for California, 1996 6
David A. Alvarez, American politician, Representative from Alabama 6th District, 1990 6
Chema Alvarez Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1996 6
Carmen Alvarez, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 2000 6
Carlos A. Alvarez (b. 1952), American politician, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2004-11 6
Carlos Alvarez (b. 1986), American politician, Candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles, California, 2009; Peace and Freedom Candidate for Governor of California, 2010 6
Anita Alvarez, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 2008 6
... (Another 31 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Alvarez family +

The Alvarez Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Veritas vincit
Motto Translation: Truth Conquers.