The Count of Almada (Portuguese: Conde de Almada) is a hereditary noble title in the Peerage of Portugal, created by Queen Maria I of Portugal by royal proclamation on 29 April 1793 (confirmed by letter on 4 May 1793). The title was granted in favour of D. Lourenço José Boaventura de Almada (1757–1815) and his descendants, who were also representatives of the Count of Avranches, a title of Norman origin dating back to the 11th century.
Background
The Almada family traces its lineage to medieval Portuguese nobility. The title was created to honour the family's longstanding loyalty and service to the Portuguese Crown. By attributing this title, the monarch also provided the option to bestow an ancillary surname to the Almada family.
Holders of the Title
Official holders (before the abolition of the monarchy):
- Lourenço José Boaventura de Almada (1757–1815) – 1st Count of Almada, also 13th Count of Avranches.
- Antão José Maria de Almada – 2nd Count of Almada.
- Lourenço José Maria Boaventura de Almada de Abreu Pereira Cirne Peixoto – 3rd Count of Almada.
Pretenders (during the Liberal period, after the family opposed the constitutional monarchy):
- Miguel Vaz de Almada (1859–1916)
- Luís Vaz de Almada (1863–1919)
Post-monarchy (after the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910):
With the abolition of the Portuguese monarchy, the title of Count of Almada ceased to be officially recognised. However, some descendants continued to act as caretakers of the title:
- Lourenço de Jesus Maria José Vaz de Almada – 4th Count of Almada
- Luís Francisco de Almada – 5th Count of Almada
- Lourenço José de Almada – Count of Almada
Related Titles
The title is closely associated with the Count of Avranches, a much older title of Norman origin that the Almada family also held. The current representative of the family, as of the 21st century, holds both titles (8th Count of Almada and 19th Count of Avranches) and resides at Paço de Lanheses in northern Portugal.
References
- Silveira Pinto, Albano da (1883), Resenha das famílias titulares Grandes de Portugal.
- "Nobreza", Infopédia, Porto Editora, 2013.
- Castelo Branco e Torres, João Carlos Feo Cardoso de; Castro Pereira (de Mesquita), Manuel de (1838), Resenha das Famílias Titulares, Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional.
- Dornelas, Afonso de (1942), "Os Almadas na História de Portugal", Independência, Lisbon.
