The Spanish surname Cordero is of occupational origin, that is, it belongs to those surnames derived from the name of the profession or job of the first bearer of the surname. From the point of view of its etymology, there is the word "cordero" in Spanish which means "Lamb" and originates from the Latin word "corbus" which was both an adjective applied to those plants which sprung up late and it was also used to refer to young sheep. Later, the Latin word "corbus" was corrupted and became "cordarius" in vulgar Latin. The Spanish word "cordero" appeared for the first time in some manuscripts from 1025. We can then say that the first bearer of the surname Cordero was probably a shepherd or someone who owned a large amount of these animals.

This surname can be found in most romance languages since it refers to an animal which was very much a part of everyday life and means of substance since the time when men settled down to become farmers and animal breeders. Cordero becomes Cordeiro in the region of Galicia (northwest of the country and bordering with Portugal) and in Portugal. In fact, the Portuguese family with the surname Cordeiro originated from Spain. In Cabalonia (east of the Iberian peninsula and bordering with France) this surname us known as Corder or Corders. This family has an ancestral house in the town of Tortosa, the providence of Tarragona. All families with this surname, whether they are called Cordero, Cordeiro, Corder or Corders, have a lamb in their blazons of arms.

Blazon of Arms : Couped; in chief guiles with an embattled castle of three towers or, the one in the middle higher than the rest; in base vert with two lambs or passant in pale.                                                   

Crest :  Three ostrich feathers

Origin : Spain

The origin of the surname Cordero is Asturias

The Gonzalez surname history

The surname of GONZALEZ was a baptismal name 'the son of Gonzalo', a name meaning battle, elf. The name was originally rendered in the Latin form GUNDISALVUS. Gonzalez was a 12th Century Spanish saint. In the 8th century, Spain fell under the control of the Moors, and this influence, which lasted into the 12th century, has also left its mark on Hispanic surnames. A few names are based directly on Arabic personal names. The majority of Spanish occupational and nickname surnames, however, are based on ordinary Spanish derivatives.

The name is of Spanish origin, and the associated arms are recorded in Rietstap's Armorial General. The arms were registered in Castille, Spain

ARMS - Gules a triple towered castle or

CREST - Three ostrich feathers

ORIGIN - Spain