The
House of Carrillo is a large Spanish noble house that traces its origins from the ancient
Kingdom of Castille. There are several branches that exist such as Carrillo de Albornoz, Carrillo de Mendoza, Carrillo de Figueroa, Carrillo de Toledo and Carrillo de Mendoza among others. There are also several variations in spelling of the surname Carrillo such as "Carillo". Records prove that both surnames are one and the same.
History
Meaning
The word "carrillo" is used to refer to any “small cart”. It has been derived from the Spanish word "carril" which means a cart, cartway, a narrow road or rail.
Origins
According to traditions and several historical records, at the time of
Count Fernan Gonzalez of Castille of Spain, there were two brothers who were so close together, going everywhere together no matter where they go, that they were called "like wheels on a cart". They were cousins of
Berengar I,
King of Italy and descendants of
Louis the Pious and
Charlemagne, Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Later, they accidentally killed a favorite courtier of the King which forced them to flee into hiding to avoid the King's rage. They eventually arrived in Spain after being placed under the protection of Count Fernan Gonzales of Castille. , ,
The surname "Carrillo" is first said to have appeared in
Castile, Spain, as this is where the Carrillo brothers were said to have fled. Several records also show that Carrillos were found in
Burgos,
Palencia,
Soria,
Logroño,
Navarre, and
Andalucia. Others went off to help in the conquest and establishment of colonies outside Spain, and included
Cuba,
Mexico,
Venezuela,
Costa Rica,
Chile,
Argentina, and the
United States of America.
Influence and Service
Coat of arms of Cardinal Alonso Carrillo
The House of Carrillo frequently served the government through holding many offices and providing military leaders for Spain. Several prominent members of the house have been granted titles of nobility for services rendered to the state. The House of Carrillo has also produced 3
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. Because of his services, he was ennobled by King
Felipe V of Spain.
The Farce of Avila
Don Alfonso Carrillo, the
Archbishop of Toledo, was said to have been the personification of intrigue. Jealous of the attention given to the Count
Beltran de la Cueva, Carrillo headed the clique that went against King
Enrique IV and was one of the people involved in the event known in history as the “Farce of Avila”. They later proceeded to take over the government by placing a dummy-King on the throne, proclaiming the Archbishop as Prince Alfonso. Carrillo was the main force in the matter and instigated the marriage of Prince Alfonso to Princess Isabel, later becoming the Princess’ spokesperson. But the tides soon turned against them and the Archbishop had to retreat from the affairs of court until his death.
Prominent Members
Below are some of the members and descendants of the House of Carrillo:
- Marquis Nicolas Carrillo de Mendoza of Alcocebar, made Marquis of Alcocebar by King Ferdinand I on June 28, 1752
- Marquess Estefania Carrillo de Mendoza y Cortes of Valle Oaxaca, great granddaughter of Hernan Cortes, conqueror of Mexico
- Cardinal Alonso Carrillo de Albornoz
- Cardinal Alfonso Carrillo de Acuña, Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo and a controversial figure involved in the "Farce of Avila"
- Count Miguel Carrillo de Pinto of Montemar, ennobled in 1747
- Count Carlos Francisco Carrillo of Oroszlany, Spanish nobleman
- Don Jose Roberto Carrillo, was one of the first party of white men who entered California overland from Mexico in 1769 and considered one of the founding members of California .
Santiago Carrillo
- Luis Carrillo y Sotomayor, Knight of Santiago, Commander of the Spanish galleons and renowned Spanish poet
- Fernando Alfonso Carrillo, Spanish writer of the 17th century, one of the authors of the memoirs of the city of Mexico that was commissioned by the Viceroy of New Spain to reflect the legitimate and relation of the site on which the city of Mexico is founded.
- Francisco de Cordoba Carrillo, Spanish historian of the 17th century, known by his work: "Historical contest on the mother country of the martyr San Lorenzo"
- Francisco Perez Carrillo, Spanish theologian who lived in first half of the 17th century, and is known by his book: The Sacred route, spiritual exercises and The Art of Dying Well.
