Tere are variations of this ancient surname in almost all languages, although the origins differ. The surname developed originally from the Latin 'pax' meaning peace, and as such it was a baptismal or 'given' name which dates back to the begining of history. It is said that the Spanish and Portugese versions were approximate translations of the hebrew 'Shelomo' which itself means peace, and as such the name was given to people who converted to Christianity. What seems to be certain is that the spelling as 'De la Paz' is a late medieval religious style taken from the title of the Virgin Mary, and given as a semi-nickname to particular devotees or sept who specifically worshipped the Virgin. The varied forms of the name include Paix and Pache (France), Paci, Pase, and Paci (Italy), Paz, Pazos, Paso, Pazo, and De la Paz (Spain) and Da Paz (Portugal). There are many dimutive spellings and these include Pachot, Paschoud, Pacelli, Pacino, Pasinetti etc, although the latter are mostly Italian, at least in origin. Examples of the surname recordings include Maria de la Paz who married Pedro Lopez at Valapalcios, Albacete, Spain, on July 25th 1635, and Peloche Pzos, christened at Canamero, Spain of January 14th 1651. A later recoriding was that of Lorenzo Pazo, christened at Santiago de Arcade, on March 30th 1820. Perhaps surprisingly that as the name means 'peace' the coat of arms granted to 'Paz de Castille' suggests the opposite. It has the striking blazon of - per pale blue and gold, charged with ten gold bezants arranged three, three, three and one, and on the right a red lion rampant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Juan de Paz, which was dated September 9th 1590, married at San Maria Magdalena, Valladolid, Spain, during the reign of King Philip 11 of Spain, 1558 - 1595. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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