Gonzaga History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The mountainous borders of Spain contain the origins of the prestigious surname Gonzaga. 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. The surname Gonzaga is made up of two elements: "Gonzalo," a personal name thought to be derived from the Visigothic "Gundesaelf," meaning "battle elf," and "-ez," the Spanish patronymic suffix.
Early Origins of the Gonzaga family
The surname Gonzaga was first found in Castile, where the name originated in Visigothic times.
Early History of the Gonzaga family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gonzaga research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1366, 1382, 1391, 1407, 1464, 1492, 1503, 1612 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Gonzaga History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gonzaga Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: González, Gonzalez, Gundisalvez, Gonsalviz, Gonzálvez, Gonzalvez, Gonçalve, Gonzales, Gonzalo, Gozalo, Monsalve, Monsabre, Gosalviz, Gosalvez, Goçalez, Gunzáloz, Gunzaloz, Galbis, Gálvez and many more.
Early Notables of the Gonzaga family
Prominent among members of the family
- Francesco I Gonzaga (1366-1407), ruler of Mantua from 1382 to 1407, a condottiero, switched his allegiance to Venice (1391), also to protect his land from the increasing power of Gian Galeazzo Viscont...
- Clara Gonzaga, Countess of Montpensier, Dauphine of Auvergne, Duchess of Sessa (1464-1503) was an Italian noblewoman of the House of Gonzaga
Gonzaga migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Gonzaga Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Luis Gonzaga, aged 52, who settled in America, in 1892
Gonzaga Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Louis Gonzaga, aged 55, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
- Philomena Gonzaga, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1906
- Virginia Gonzaga, aged 34, who immigrated to America from Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1922
- Octavio Gonzaga, aged 7, who immigrated to the United States from Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1922
Contemporary Notables of the name Gonzaga (post 1700) +
- Toni Gonzaga (b. 1984), Philippine singer
- Tomás Antônio Gonzaga (1744-1810), Portuguese-Brazilian poet
- Luiz Gonzaga (1912-1989), Brazilian musician
- Gabriel Gonzaga (b. 1979), Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter
- Francisca "Chiquinha" Gonzaga (1847-1935), Brazilian composer, pianist and conductor
- Antônio Gonzaga Netto, known as Toni Netto, a Brazilian football player and manager
- Liuz Gonzaga Bergonzini (1936-2012), Brazilian Roman Catholic bishop
- Colonel Louis Gonzaga Mendez Jr. (1915-2001), United States Army officer of the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII, recipient of Distinguished Service Cross for leading an attack that captured the French town of Prétot-Vicquemare 1
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