mayordomo

Spanish royal official

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The term "mayordomo" originates from the Medieval Latin "major domus," meaning "chief of the house." Historically, it referred to the head steward of a royal household, a position of significant responsibility. In Spanish, "mayordomo" is a royal official. Over time, the meaning has broadened to include any person managing another's affairs, whether business or personal. In the U.S., it was also used for the steward or overseer of a ranch.1

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Spain
Society, economy, and culture
…the preservation of records; the mayordomo, a magnate, who supervised the household and the royal domain; and the alférez (Catalan: senyaler), also a magnate, who organized and directed the army under the king’s command. The merinos or, later, adelantados, who functioned as provincial governors in Castile, were also drawn from…
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…the preservation of records; the mayordomo, a magnate, who supervised the household and the royal domain; and the alférez (Catalan: senyaler), also a magnate, who organized and directed the army under the king’s command. The merinos or, later, adelantados, who functioned as provincial governors in Castile, were also drawn from…
Read More