Show ContentsMenéndez History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Menéndez 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 Menéndez family

The surname Menéndez 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 Menéndez family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Menéndez 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 Menéndez History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Menéndez Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Ménendez, Menendez, Méndez, Mendez, Meléndez, Melendez, Ménez, Menez and many more.

Early Notables of the Menéndez family

Prominent among members of the family

  • Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo, 19th century Spanish literary critic

Menéndez Ranking

In the United States, the name Menéndez is the 3,599th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


United States Menéndez migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Menéndez Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Antonio Menéndez, who arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1779 with his wife Teresa Vicenta
Menéndez Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Sevastian Menendez, aged 22, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1836 2
  • Ramon Menendez, aged 22, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1838 2
  • Demetrio Menéndez, who settled in Puerto Rico in 1840
  • Demetrio Menendez, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1840 2
  • Lorenzo Menendez, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1845 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Menéndez migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Menéndez Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Lorenzo Menéndez, who opted for Puerto Rico in 1845

Contemporary Notables of the name Menéndez (post 1700) +

  • Robert "Bob" Menendez (b. 1954), American politician, Representative and Senator from New Jersey
  • Pidal María Goyri de Menéndez (1873-1955), Spanish Hispanist, professor, and author
  • Pidal Luís Menéndez (1860-1932), Spanish painter
  • Pidal Juan Menéndez (1861-1915), Spanish archivist, jurisconsult, historian, and poet
  • Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (1519-1574), Spanish explorer, first governor of Florida
  • Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo (1856-1912), Spanish scholar, historian, and literary critic
  • Emilio Menéndez (b. 1945), Spanish politician and member of the European Parliament
  • Mario Benjamin Menéndez (1930-2015), Argentine Governor of the Falklands during the 1982 Argentine occupation of the islands
  • Osleidys Menéndez (b. 1979), Cuban Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower
  • Manuel Menéndez (1793-1847), President of Peru
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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