Show ContentsCaldeira History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Caldeira

What does the name Caldeira mean?

The name Caldeira literally means "cauldron" denoting that its original bearer was a maker of cauldrons and kettles. Today a caldera is also a large cauldron-like hollow that forms shortly after the emptying of a magma chamber in a volcano eruption.

Early Origins of the Caldeira family

The surname Caldeira was first found in the Portuguese town of Serta, in the province of Castelo, during the reigns of King Fernando (1367-1383) and King Joao I (1383-1433) where Gonzalo Rodrigues, a noble knight lived. He was made captain by King Joao and fought bravely under him in the Battle of Aljubarota, in which the Portuguese defeated the invading Castilian army, and secured the independence of Portugal. In this battle, Gonzalo Rodrigues wrested two treasures from the Castilians, one was a silver angel, which he offered to the king, who in turn donated it to the "Colegiada de Guimaraes"; the other was a prized bronze cauldron, large enough to cook three or four oxen together, which he kept in the monastery of Alcobaca. For his services and his bravery in battle, King Joao I ordered that he take the name of "caldeira", or "cauldron", in remembrance of his exploits, and granted him the coat of arms. 1

Because he returned this boiler to the Castilians, which is said to have lifted him into the air with his great strength, and in remuneration for the great services rendered, the King ordered him to take the name of Boiler as his nickname, a piece also remembered in the arms. 1

Early History of the Caldeira family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caldeira research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1583 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Caldeira History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Early Notables of the Caldeira family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Caldeira Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.



  1. De Faria, Antonio Machado. Armorial lusitano: genealogia e heráldica. Lisboa, 1961. Print


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