Origin of Mascarenhas name
Origin Displayed: Portuguese (From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009) Where did the Portuguese Mascarenhas family come from? What is the history of the family name? The Mascarenhas name is a habitational name taken on from any of several towns called Mascarenhas in Portugal. This name branched to Spain, and interestingly, is also found in India, where it was taken by Portuguese colonists. Spelling variations of this family name include: Mascarenaz, Mascarenhas, Mascarenas and others. First found in the district of Mirandela in the northwest of Portugal. The progenitor of the Mascarenhas family is said to have been Estevao Rodrigues, who was Lord of Mascarenhas, who served King Sancho I of Portugal (1185-1211). Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were Bartolome Mascarenas, who settled in Puerto Rico in 1812.