On the map of the American Southwest, there is a point whose name echoes across another continent, in distant Europe. It is the most densely populated center of one of the states—a name familiar to many, though few consider its origins. This story takes us back three centuries, to a time when flags of the Castilian crown flew over these lands and the fate of entire settlements was decided by the will of a single person.
At the heart of this saga is Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, the influential nobleman and military leader who bore the title of the tenth Duke of Alburquerque. In the mid-17th century, he governed vast territories of New Spain as viceroy. Although the settlement itself was founded after his tenure, his authority and contributions to strengthening colonial rule—including the completion of the cathedral in Mexico City—were so significant that Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés decided to honor his memory. Thus, ‘La Villa de Alburquerque’ appeared on the map. Note the extra ‘r’—this is not a typo, but the original spelling, which disappeared over time due to changes in the language.
The path of this toponym is remarkable. It begins in the forests of the Iberian Peninsula with the Latin phrase “albus quercus,” which translates to “white oak.” This name was given to a site in the Extremadura region. Later, it became part of a noble title that crossed the Atlantic and became associated with a new settlement in the Rio Grande valley. The modern spelling, dropping the intermediate “r,” was finally established in the 19th century, especially after these lands came under the jurisdiction of the United States in 1848. Only a few colonial documents have preserved the original form for us.
The choice of location for founding the villa was far from random. This area, already inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Tiwa, offered fertile soil and access to water. Most importantly, it held a strategic position on the trade route that linked Santa Fe and Mexico City. Furthermore, after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680—one of the most serious uprisings against European dominance in the Americas—the Madrid court aimed to strengthen its military and administrative presence in the northern part of the viceroyalty. Establishing new fortified settlements became an effective tool for consolidating control over the region and advancing further colonization. That is why, even today, English and Castilian dialects intertwine in local speech, preserving unique expressions that date back to the 18th century.
This case is far from unique. A closer look at the map of North America reveals thousands of place names with Iberian origins—from Florida, named by Juan Ponce de León back in 1513, to major cities like Los Angeles and San Antonio. However, the state in question holds a special place—the concentration of such names here is the highest in the country. Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Socorro, Sierra Blanca—each of these locations stands as a silent witness to the centuries-long influence of an empire that once stretched across the ocean. Together, they tell the epic saga of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
