This Spanish and Portugese surname CABRERA was of the occupational group of names denoting one who was a goatherd, and originally derived from the Latin name CAPRA (nanny-goat). The name is also spelt CRAVARI, CRAVE, CHABRIER, CRAVA, CRAVERI and CABREIRO, to name but a few. Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by the individual. At what period they became hereditary is a difficult problem. Many of the occupation names were descriptive and could be varied. In the Middle Ages, at least among the Christian population, people did not usually pursue specialized occupations exclusively to the extent that we do today, and they would, in fact, turn their hand to any form of work that needed to be done, particularly in a large house or mansion, or on farms and smallholdings. In early documents, surnames often refer to the actual holder of an office, whether the church or state. A noteworthy person of this name was CABRAL, or CABRERA, Pedro Alvarez (c.1467-1520) the Portugese navigator and discoverer. In 1500 he sailed from Lisbon in command of a fleet of thirteen vessels bound for the West Indies. Falling into the South American current of the Atlantic, he was carried to the unknown coast of Brazil, which he claimed on behalf of the king of Portugal. He then made for India, but, after losing seven of his ships, he landed at Mozambique, of which he was the first to give clear information, and, sailing thence to Calicut, established the first commercial treaty between Portugal and India. He returned to Lisbon in 1501. Another notable member of the name was Don Ramon CABRERA (1810-77) the Spanish Carlist leader in 1833-40 and 1848-49, born in Tortosa. He died at Wentworth, near Staines, England, having married a wealthy English lady. In 1839 Don Carlos created him count of Morella. Guillermo CABRERA INFANTE, born in 1929 was the Cuban-born, British novelist, born in Gibara, Cuba. He was educated at Havana University, and emigrated to England in 1966. Film critic, journalist and translator, he is known chiefly for his fiction, particularly 'Indante's Inferno' (1984) set in Havana during the 1940s and 1050s, which skilfully blurs the distinction between autobiography and fiction. |
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