| Origins |
EtymologyEtymologists explain that "centeno" is a Spanish word that comes from the Latin Hispanic "centenum", in turn derived from the Latin "centeni", the name with which the Romans baptized the breadmaking cereal known in English as "rye". In Galicia, North of Spain, is still called "centeo" or "pan centeo". The word means "from a hundred to a hundred", in the assumption that each grain sown would give a hundred more. It is assumed that the rye was first used in Minor Asia and brought to Europe during the Stone Age. Product of the relatively mountainous areas, where the wheat grows with greater difficulty, rye stood out for its high resistance to cold and the few demands that requires the land. In Portugal the rye has been sown mainly in the montain provinces, like Minho, Tras-os-Montes and Beira Alta. In Galicia the "pan centeo" is particularly frequent in the provinces of Lugo and Orense, known just as "Tierras de Pan" (The Bread Lands). Surname's UsageWe know that the use of surnames in the Iberian Peninsula began to occur by the beginning of the 11th century. Until then, names of individuals generally consisted of a name and a patronymic, that is the name of the father with the genitive form (Henriques, as son of Henry; Sanches, being the son of Sancho). There were essentially three ways to appearence of surnames: 1) nicknames; 2) names of land, as landlords or either from birth or residence places; 3) names related to crafts or professions [1]. The Centeno surname may have had a locality origin, because it would represent a topographic feature of the place of residence of its possessor, or may have been imposed as a nickname. It is indeed known the nickname "Pão-Centeno" or "Pan Centeo" (Rye Bread) , as we shall refer later on. One Possible Geographical Origin: Ávila (Spain)Despite the Spanish spelling of the word Centeno, several authors argue that the remote home of the family was Portugal, therefore Centeio (Portuguese word for rye) and Centeno would be the same surname. Other authors argue that the origin of the family was is the city of Avila, Spain. What is certain is that the Spanish spelling prevailed and the surname had undoubtedly its expansion by Spanish territory. The most ancient news about someone carrying the surname Centeno has been brought to us by Friar Luis Ariz. This author described the riots that occurred in Avila, Spain, in the year of 1097, between the two factions that disputed the government of the city. He wrote: «And threatened by some squires of Ximen Blasquez, holding their mantles, and with their knifes, went against Alvaro Alvarez, pushing Gomez Gollorio and hurting the harm of Alfonso Centeno, nobleman, both Alvaro Alvarez supporters» [2]. About a century later there is a reference to Arias Centeno, who confirms an agreement, dated July 19 of 1170, between the bishop of Zamora and the county of Santa Eulalia [3]. Alonso Lopez de Haro, sustained by the information above wrote: «The origin of Centeno is very noble, as it can be read in ‘Libro de las Grandezas de la Ciudad de Avila’, in the second Part, sheet twenty two, which refers to Alfonso Centeno, in the year of The Lord of one thousand and ninety seven: in a quarrel Alfonso Centeno, a nobleman from the party of Alvaro Alvarez, was hurt in his arm. So it seems that the knights of this surname, who have their manorhouse in Ciudad Rodrigo about two hundred and fifty years ago, were originally from the city of Avila. All this I found in ancient scriptures, showing the quality and nobility of this Lineage, and for the true of this statement, I sign with my firm, in Madrid, the twelve days of the month of April two thousand and six hundred and nineteen years» [4]. Julian del Castillo, in his book “Historia de los Godos” (History of the Goths) states: «The Centeno gentlemen are known by their value and ancient nobility, as they were in Avila, where they emerge, and then went to Ciudad Rodrigo, where they are and have been the head of the family; much of them where great men-in-arms and also men of letters, some were known to be Knights of The Order of Saint John [of Jerusalem]» [5]. Gervasio Velo y Nieto, who has studied the lineage of Ciudad Rodrigo, starts it with Diego Centeno, who was born in Avila at the end of the 14 th Century, and went to Ciudad Rodrigo at the service of King Henry III of Castille [6]. Portugal: Another possible originThere was a use of the nickname "Pan Centeo" or "Pão-Centeio" (Rye Bread), which occurred in the second half of the 13th Century, although no one can inferred a direct relationship with the Centeno surname. Despite this, we should actually record, as also did the Marquis of Abrantes, D. Luis de Lancastre e Távora, that in the beginning of Portuguese nationality «was given to a knight of high strain the nickname of 'Pão-Centeio'» [7]. It was not only one gentleman but two using this nickname, D. Fernando Fernandes de Limia and his son D. João Fernandes de Limia, both from the lineage of the Lords of Limia, in Galicia, and repeatedly mentioned either by D. Pedro de Barcelos in his “Livro de Linhagens” (The Book of Lineages), either by the authors of the so-called “Livro Velho” (The Old Book) and “Livro do Deão” (The Book of Dean), first known genealogy texts written in Portugal. Without establishing a link with these last ones, some Spanish authors defend a Portuguese origin for the Centeno family, in the persons of Fernando Garcia Centeno and his brother Pedro Garcia Centeno. Juan Baños de Velasco wrote: «The Centeno. Two brothers came in help of Castillian Kings, and populated Ciudad Rodrigo» [8]. Francisco de Hita has a more complete information: «Manorhouse from Portugal, from where two kights brothers came to serve the Castillian Kings, Hernán García Centeno who settled in Ciudad Rodrigo and Pedro Garcia Centeno, who settled in the village of Arenas» [9]. In Portuguese genealogical literature little more has been advanced about the Centeno family. Some nobiliary books record the coming to Portugal of Juan Centeno, a Spanish gentleman who came to Campo Maior, where he was an alderman and judge. From his marriage to D. Inês Fernandes Mexia, came the family branch known by Centenos Mexias from Arraiolos. According to other information, a Portuguese manuscript of the 18th Century: «This family is from Spain, from the city of Avila in The Old Castille, it is not known when they came to Portugal, but there was here one D. Lopo Centeno, who dedicated a chapel to St. James and St. Peter, in the Church of St. Francis of Lisbon» [10]. Possible ConclusionsIt is still difficult to conclude what is the origin of the Centeno surname. It is not unlikely that there have been several unrelated families of them. The first reference dates from the end of the 11th Century and is located in Avila. Ciudad Rodrigo was the city where the surname took greater prominence. Since the beginning of the 15th Century it is possible to draw the descent of Diego Centeno, who founded an important majorat in Ciudad Rodrigo. At the beginning of the 16th Century there are other known lines of Centenos in the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca and also in Andalusia. In Portugal it is known a branch of Spanish origin, established in Arraiolos. Several individuals of this surname have proved their nobility in Spain, at the Real Chancillería the Valladolid (1555, 1672, 1675, 1683, 1758, 1771, 1774, 1793), and at the Orders of Santiago (1700, 1701), of San John of Jerusalem (1538, 1566, 1584), and also at the Real Compañía de Guardias Marinas (1760). In Portugal there was also registration of Centenos who were Fidalgos da Casa Real (Gentlemen of The Royal House).
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