San Antonio. Texas, was founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost called San Antonio de Béxar, by Spanish settlers from the Canary Islands and other parts of New Spain (modern Mexico). It became a critical settlement in Spanish Texas due to its strategic location along the San Antonio River.
The original mission, San Antonio de Valero, later became the famous Alamo. Canary Islanders were key settlers sent by the Spanish crown to populate the region, and their descendants had a lasting influence on the city’s culture.
San Antonio grew into a vital hub for trade, military, and settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries, and played a pivotal role in Texas history, especially during the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo. Its diverse cultural roots include Spanish, Mexican, Native American, and Canary Islander influences.
It is traceable where the original settlers of San Antonio came from within the Canary Islands, and some family names still exist today, providing links to their origins. The group of settlers, known as the Isleños, were part of a colonization effort initiated by the Spanish crown in 1730-1731. They came primarily from the islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and La Palma. The group actually consisted of only 56 people from 15 families who were recruited to help strengthen Spanish presence in Texas.
Many of these original families still have descendants in both Texas and the Canary Islands, and several surnames are known to trace back to this historical migration. Some of the prominent Canary Islander surnames that have been documented include:
| Leal Rodríguez Flores Arocha | García Curbelo Ximenes Menchaca |
These names and many others can be traced back to San Antonio’s early settlement, and their descendants, some of whom still live in the area, take pride in their Canary Island heritage. In fact, there are associations such as the Canary Islands Descendants Association of San Antonio that work to preserve this historical connection, and regular commemorative events take place to honor the original settlers.
The bond between San Antonio and the Canary Islands remains strong, with ongoing cultural exchanges and historical studies deepening the relationship between the two regions.
We aim to make San Antonio one of our destinations!