Where does my last name MONTIEL come from? (again)?

Question

(I asked again because I asked this before at 3AM and no one was even up to see it).

I was born in Chicago, IL and my family is from Mexico. My parents were born in Mexico, my dad's parents were born in Mexico (I got my last name from my dad), and I don't know the rest. But I was not sure if the name MONTIEL came from Spain. If so, am I Spanish as well since I was related to someone who came form Spain to Mexico. I am confused. . .

(And I have also asked this question in 3 other categories).

I did ask my parent but they don't know any family beyond their own grandparents. I want to know what people know of this name. Are there people in Spain with this last name.

I guess I need to ask my grandfather, my dad's dad, and he lives in Mexico.

Answer 1

it sounds like a german name to me, but it could also be spanish also.

Answer 2

the name sounds french, not spanish

Answer 3

Yes, MONTIEL is a spanish surname (Monteil is french).

Montiel is also the name of a town in Castilla La Mancha, in the province of Ciudad Real (southeast of Madrid).

In medieval times people did not have surnames, when these became necessary (and were imposed by law), many people chose the name of their place of residence as their last name. (For example Toledo or the patronymic Toledano (which means person from Toledo, and Sevilla/Sevillano, etc.)

Thus in spanish you will find many people with the name of a town for their last name.... including Montiel...

There are hundreds of names of this kind...

Some distant ancestor of yours thus, did go from Spain to Mexico, when is up to you to find out! Start by asking el Abuelo Montiel how much he knows about the family history.

You are evidently of spanish descent, this does not make you automatically a spanish citizen, but if you could trace your lineage, and were to come to Spain, you could probably claim spanish citizenship, and it might simplify the procedures for you.

Right now the most famous "Montiel" is Sara Montiel, a spanish actress famous in the last half of the 20th. century. (Actually though, Montiel Is her stage name, she adopted it when she started acting, and chose it because she was born in the vicinity. It is the name she has used ever since the 1940's).

Answer 4

I replied. The name is Spanish.

Montiel is a town in La Mancha.

Answer 5

I thought it may be French Canadian. I came up with one:



Surnames : Monteil : Marguerite-Rene Monteil

Marguerite-Rene Monteil (F)

Pedigree

Birth: 21 Jul 1708   at: Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada

Death:    at:  

Father: Rene Monteil

Mother: Marguerite Chicoine