La descendencia de don Mendo de Contreras y Benavides y la pérdida de su apellido: de Contreras a duque de San Fernando de Quiroga

Like any member of the urban oligarchy of the time, Don Mendo de Contreras y Benavides, tried to perpetuate his lineage by marrying up to three times. With his first wife, Doña María Chacón, who did not survive him, he could not conceive descendants; nor did he succeed with his last spouse, Mrs. Melchora de Hermosilla y Vilches, a union that took place at an advanced age, in the twilight of his life. With his second wife, Mrs. Francisca Fernández de Córdoba Bustamante, he did achieve fertile offspring, but his three eldest sons died in His Majesty’s service, so the perpetuation of his house was complicated; and even more so when his only male child, Don Luis Tomás, did not have legitimate offspring. Only his eldest daughter, Doña María Felipa, was able to perpetuate his lineage, relating to families of the titled nobility; but inevitably losing her paternal surname.