Conquistadores Catalanes

Question

Were any of the Conquistadors from Catalonia in Spain? It's a longer story why I ask, but either way that's my question.

Answer 1

My last name is Armijo, and I know that this was one of the first Spanish families to settle in New Mexico.

I also have been told that the name Armijo possibly originated in Catalonia, so it seems probable.

I'll vote for Armijo. Do any in your family speak Spanish Jraider? - 0095ca4c, Nov 27, 2013

Answer 2

Here is a link, I hate links, but if you follow it, you can see that the name is more common in Southern Spain. Obviously that doesn't mean no people in Catalunya or Balearics have it, not that ome families will have crossed the ocean.

http://www.apellidosespaña.com/apellido/armijo.html

Here is alink for Jraider. - annierats, Nov 27, 2013

Answer 3

It seems that the official language in areas conquered in the New World by the Conquistadors was Castilian Spanish. The only exception to this being church business, which was Latin. It's a moot issue whether or not every one of the Conquistadors' origin or native tongue was Castilian or Catalan. To do business in the colonies, one had to use Castilian, as mandated by the Spanish aristocracy. However, I, and possibly many others, would be interested in why you are asking this question. This might help us to answer it more specifically.

Answer 4

I have read that the conquistadors don't tend to have Catalan names, so, I would say not. Although, as so many people went, some are almost bound to have been catalán.

I hope a more knowledgeable answer will be forthcoming.