Mendez History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Mendez 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 Mendez family

The surname Mendez was first found in Asturias, birthplace of the Reconquest.

Early History of the Mendez family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mendez research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1659, 1622 and 1634 are included under the topic Early Mendez History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mendez Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Mendez family (pre 1700)

Prominent 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 Mendez Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mendez World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mendez is the 303^rd most popular surname with an estimated 89,532 people with that name. [1] However, in France, the name Mendez is ranked the 2,217^thmost popular surname with an estimated 2,879 people with that name. [2] And in South America, the name Mendez is the 32^nd popular surname with an estimated 105 people with that name. [3]

 Mendez migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Mendez Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Hernan Mendez, who arrived in America in 1811 [4]
• Francisco Mendez Mendez, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 [4]
• Alonso Mendez, who landed in America in 1813 [4]
• Melchor Mendez, who arrived in America in 1814 [4]
• Juan Mendez, who landed in America in 1816 [4]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

 Mendez 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]