Carlos Manzano for Manhattan Borough President - 2005

MANZANO SURNAME

SPANIARD VERSION

In Spain, the surname Manzano is derived from the place-name Manzano which is located in Salamanca (Leon) or Manzanos located in Alava (Vascongadas.)

Spaniard Manzano Coat of Arms

BLAZON OF ARMS
Gules, a fesse of the same, indented argent, of four pieces in chief, and of three pieces in base.
TRANSLATION
Azure, or blue, symbolizes the planet Venus while Or, or gold, symbolizes the Sun.
CREST
An apple tree, fructed all proper.
ORIGIN
SPAIN

The place-name Manzano is derived from the Spanish word "manzano" meaning "apple-tree". A branch of this family had their "casa solar" or "ancestral seat" in San Martin de Don (Burgos). Another branch was established in the town of Azagra (Navarra) a member of the latter one Fernandez de Manzano introduced the name to Chile.
A certification of nobility was granted to the Fernandez de Manzano family. The following are listed in the Orden de Carlos III: Esteban Manzano, Juan Iganacio Manzano and Baltasar de Manzano. The title of Marques Justis de Santa Ana was held by Manuel Jose Manzano y Justia Sandoval Garcia y Umpierres.

ITALIAN VERSION

There are a number of explanations as to the origin of the Italian surname Manzano.

Italian
Manzano Coat of Arms

BLAZON OF ARMS
Gules, a fesse of the same, indented argent, of four pieces in chief, and of three pieces in base.
TRANSLATION
Gules (red) denotes Military Fortitude and Magnanimity.
CREST
Three ostrich plumes one argent, between two gules.
TRANSLATION
The plumes signify Nobility
ORIGIN
ITALY

First of all, it is occupational in origin, being derived from the work a man did or the profession he pursued. In this case, Manzano is associated with the Italian word "manza' which means "heifer". Therefore, the initial bearer of this surname was a farmer or cowherd. Alternatively, Manzano may in fact be local, this time deriving from the place where a man once lived or where he once held land. Here the name is again linked to "manza", meaning "heifer", but it would have been applied to one who lived in the sign of the heifer.

In the Middle Ages, pictures of animals and birds were hung in front of inns and hostelries so that they would be easily identified. The original Manzano may have lived near an inn, which bore the picture of a heifer. Finally, some modern bearers of this surname may have German links.

In the year 1083, a family moved from Bavaria to Friuli and the name became "Manzano". Undoubtedly, the German form would have been named Manzo, which is of patronymic origin, being derived from the first name of a father. It is related to "Manza", a short form of the German personal name "Mangold" and means "son of "Manz". An early record of this surname in Germany is in 1286 when one Dominus Mano is on written record in Sindelfingen (Wurttembergisches Urkundenbuch).

In Italy, there are numerous early records of the surname. In 1212 there is a mention of the "Castle of Manzano" (Dizionario Storico Blasonico), while in 1267 one Corrado Manzano was made a member of the government of Friuli. Variants of the name include Manzano and Manzanese. One can also find the Manzano Town in the Northen part of Italy.