This is a well recorded and popular surname in Spain. It is one of a group which were originally Germanic, and in this respect it could be said to date back to the 5th century a.d. At this time the Roman Empire who held Spain, was in a state of collapse, and into this vacuum came the German tribes known as the Goths, Huns and Vizigoths. This surname in Spain owes its origins to the Vizigoths. It derives from an ancient personal name 'Gunthair', the later German Gunther, and meaning 'Battle-sword'. Such names redolent of war, glory and control were very popular in this period of history known as 'The Dark Ages'. Later in most Christian countries they were later swamped by the religious revival names of the 12th century, which were of biblical origin. Of these the most famous are the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In about the 8th century the Vizigoths returned to Germany, however they left behind some of Spains most popular names and later surnames, of which this is a prime example. Early recordings taken from surviving registers include Diego de Valdiva Gutierrez of Campanario, Badajos, in 1520, and Fernandez Gutierrez christened at Villacid de Campos, Valladolid, on October 4th 1623.