The House of Carrillo is a Spanish noble house that traces its origins from the ancient Kingdom of Castile. There are several branches that exist such as Carrillo de Albornoz, Carrillo de Mendoza, Carrillo de Figueroa, Carrillo de Toledo and Carrillo Tablas among others. There are also several variations in spelling of the surname Carrillo such as "Carillo" or "Sciarrillo". Records prove that both surnames are one and the same.
Carrillo is a Spanish surname. References to the origins of the name dates back to the Kingdom of Castile in the thirteenth century. According to a legend of family origin, two brothers of royalty (their country of origin is unknown; but, it is presumed to have been France) were on a tour visiting foreign lands. Misfortune came upon the brothers when they accidentally killed a courtier of the King of Italy. The brothers had to flee into hiding to avoid the king's rage (it is said that the brothers dueled with the courtier over the honor of a beautiful Spanish maiden). The brothers fled to Spain, and were placed under the protection of The Count of Castile Fernán González of Castile. [1] [2] Legend states that the brothers were strongly loyal to one another, and always traveled together. They were happy in demeanor, and good in nature. Once accepted into Spanish society, the brothers were so grateful that they devoted themselves to a stronger religious and spiritual commitment among themselves, and became very patriotic. The brothers devoted themselves to serve their new country and they pledged their loyalty to the Monarchy of Spain. It is said that when seen together, many would describe the brothers very much like "los carillones de la iglesia" (the carillon bells of a church) as they were always together, and drew bright attention to themselves due to their devoted works, and outspoken dedication to the Crown and Church. Because the brothers' language of origin gave them distinct accents, they called themselves Carrillo (a compromised version of "carillon", and one more easily accommodated by the Spanish language). The brothers endeared themselves to the Castilians, and married two daughters of a noble Count. The count of Castile made it possible to ennoble the brothers and attain the titles of Count of Priego for the elder brother, and Marquis De La Guardia for the younger. All lines of the Carrillo family are said to branch from these two brothers. The name Carrillo also appears in connection with an ancient Spanish legend concerning the Siete Infantes de Lara (Seven Princes of Lara). Through time, the name Carrillo has been subject to several false etymologies and irrelevant definitions, but the legendary story has roots in anecdotal evidence and tradition. The meaning of the surname Carrillo is derived from both definitions of "carillones" in Spanish and "carrillon" in French.
The surname "Carrillo" is first found in Castile, Spain, in Burgos, Palencia, Soria, Logroño, Navarre, and Andalucia. Family members later went off to help in the conquest and establishment of colonies outside Spain, and included Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Philippines, Argentina, and the United States of America, particularly California.
The House of Carrillo frequently served the government through holding many offices and providing military leaders for Spain. Since the reign of Alfonso X the Wise, the office of "Alcalde Mayor de los Hidalgos de Castilla" has been in the Carrillo lineage. This palatine position of justice sentenced exclusively in the lawsuits of nobility and in matters related to the nobility of the litigants. Effective throughout the Middle Ages, until the remodeling of the Chancilleries carried out by the Catholic Monarchs; from 1572 it became a merely honorary position. The House of Carrillo has also produced three Catholic Cardinals, Cardinal Alonso de Carrillo Laso, Cardinal Alonso Carrillo de Albornoz and Cardinal Gil Alvarez Carrillo de Albornoz.
The most famous military leader produced by the House of Carrillo is José Carrillo de Albornoz, 1st Duke of Montemar who was Viceroy of Sicily. He victoriously lead the Spanish forces at the Battle of Bitonto.
 |
Below are some of the members and descendants of the House of Carrillo:
Gil Álvarez Carrillo de Albornoz more commonly Gil de Albornoz, was a Spanish curial cardinal, archbishop of Toledo from 13 May 1338 to 17 December 1350. Grand Penitentiary from December 1352 to August 23, 1364. Cardinal priest with the title of San Clemente from December 17, 1350 to December 1356. Cardinal bishop of Sabina from December 1356 to August 23, 1364. Cardinal legate and vicar general from 30 June 1353 to 1357, who led as condottiere Papal States mercenary armies in two campaigns to reconquer territory in Italy, and statesman.
Henry II, called Henry of Trastámara or the Fratricidal, was the first King of Castile and León from the House of Trastámara. He became king in 1369 by defeating his half-brother Peter the Cruel, after numerous rebellions and battles. As king he was involved in the Fernandine Wars and the Hundred Years' War.
Pedro González de Mendoza was a Spanish cardinal, statesman and lawyer. He served on the council of King Enrique IV of Castile and in 1467 fought for him at the Second Battle of Olmedo. In 1468 he was named bishop of Sigüenza and in 1473 he became cardinal and archbishop of Seville and appointed chancellor of Castile.
Íñigo López de Mendoza, 1st Marquess of Santillana was a Castilian politician and poet who held an important position in society and literature during the reign of John II of Castile.
The House of Medina Sidonia is a Spanish noble house originating from the crown of Castile, whose name comes from the Duke of Medina Sidonia, a hereditary noble title that John II of Castile granted to Juan Alonso Perez de Guzman, 3rd Count of Niebla, on February 17, 1445, as a reward for his services to the crown. The Dukedom of Medina Sidonia is the oldest hereditary dukedom in the kingdom of Spain.
Beltrán de la Cueva y Alfonso de Mercado, 1st Duke of Alburquerque was a Spanish nobleman who is said to have fathered Joanna, the daughter of Henry IV of Castile's wife Joan of Portugal. His alleged daughter, called "la Beltraneja", was deprived of the crown of Castile because of the uncertainty regarding her parentage.
Alonso Verdugo de Castilla was a Spanish count, diplomat and poet.
The Mendoza family was a powerful line of Spanish nobles. Members of the family wielded considerable power, especially from the 14th to the 17th centuries in Castile. The family originated from the village of Mendoza in the province of Álava in the Basque countries.
Antonio Carrillo de Peralta y de Velasco, II Marquis of Falces, deceased in 1545, Marcilla, Navarra, Spain, was the son of Navarrese Conetable of the kingdom of Navarre Alonso Carrillo - Acuña y de Peralta, 1st Marquis of Falces, 2nd Count Consort of Santisteban de Lerín, Sieur Consort of Peralta, Falces, Carcer, and other Navarrese places, deceased and buried at Marcilla, Navarre, in 1534.
Fernando de Acuña y de Herrera was Viceroy of Sicily from 1489–1495.
Alfonso Carrillo de Acuña was a Spanish politician and Roman Catholic archbishop.
Juan Pacheco, 1st Duke of Escalona, better known as Juan Pacheco, Marquess of Villena, was a Castilian noble of Portuguese descent who rose to power in the last years of the reign of Juan II of Castile and came to dominate the government of Castile during the reign of Juan II’s son and successor Henry IV of Castile. Created The 1st Duke of Escalona in 1472, his other titles included, among others, Marquess of Villena and Master of the Order of Santiago.
The House of Zúñiga is a Spanish noble lineage who took their name from their domain. Various members of the family were distinguished in the service of the Spanish crown in Europe and the Americas as viceroys, governors, military, diplomats, writers and members of religious orders. Charles I of Spain in 1530 named two members of the family, the Duke of Béjar and Plasencia and the Count of Miranda del Castañar, among his Immemorial Grandees, while eight members of the family were inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece.
On 5 June 1465, in a location around Ávila, a group of Castilian noblemen deposed of King Henry IV of Castile in effigy, and instead proclaimed his half-brother Prince Alfonso, better known as "Alfonso the Innocent", as king. This ceremony became known by its detractors as the farce of Ávila.
Diego Fernández de Córdoba y Mendoza, 3rd Count of Cabra, was a Castilian nobleman. He served with distinction during the war in which the Emirate of Granada was conquered by the forces of Castile and Aragon, and subsequently had great influence in Castile.
Pedro Fernández de Córdoba y Pacheco, first Marquess of Priego, was a Castilian nobleman. He became one of the most powerful men in Andalusia, but after the death of Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451–1504), he supported her daughter Joanna of Castile (1479–1555) against King Ferdinand II of Aragon (1452–1516), who was regent of Castile. After serious disturbances in Córdoba in 1508 he was forced to throw himself on the king's mercy, and was arrested and exiled. Later he was pardoned and allowed to return.
Álvaro de Zúñiga y Guzmán was a Castilian nobleman, member of the influential House of Zúñiga, of Navarrese origin. He was one of the most powerful men in Castile, as evidenced by his numerous titles and the offices he held, and was involved in much of the kingdom's most important political and military events, notably in the various conflicts between the nobility and the candidates for succession to the throne that would culminate in the War of the Castilian Succession and that would only calm down with the final recognition of the Catholic Monarchs, whom he initially opposed but eventually supported.
Álvaro de Zúñiga y Pérez de Guzmán was a Spanish nobleman, member of the first-born branch of the House of Zúñiga, Grandee of Spain, 2nd Duke of Béjar, 2nd Duke of Plasencia, 3rd Count of Bañares, 1st Marquis of Gibraleón, first knight of the realm, knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, justicia mayor and alguacil mayor of Castile. In 1488 he succeeded his grandfather Álvaro de Zúñiga y Guzmán, 1st Duke of Béjar and Plasencia in the mayorazgo (majorat).
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)