Dukedoms in Portugal
There is a total of 28 dukedoms in Portugal. In the majority of cases, the title of Duke was attributed to members of high nobility, usually relatives of the Portuguese Royal Family, such as the second sons of monarchs.
There are exceptions, like António José de Ávila, who, although not having any relation to the Royal Family, was given the title of Duke of Ávila and Bolama.
Dukedoms in Portugal
Portugal
- Royal Hereditary Dukedom
- Duque de Bragança (the home principality of the Portuguese royal dynasty. After restoration of the full independence of Portugal in 1640), it became a title of the Prince-heir of the Crown, and pass to his heir, when he becomes King)
- Royal Courtesy Dukedoms (occasionally given to other members of the Royal Family)
- Noble Dukedoms
- All of them can be inherited, but only some of them are titles "de juro e herdade" - this meant that the King was obliged to renew the title in its rigthfull heir. Only Aveiro, Lafões, Terceira, Palmela, Saldanha and Loulé were dukedoms de juro e herdade. Some of these dukes (Cadaval, Terceira and Saldanha) had "Honras de Parente" i.e. honours of being relative of the King.
- List of the Portuguese noble dukedoms:
- Before the Liberal Regime
- Duque de Aveiro and Duque de Torres Novas (both extinct in 1759, after the execution of the last Duke for high treason against the state).The first duke was the elder son of the Duke of Coimbra, the sole surviving (but illegitimate) son of King John II, known as the perfect prince.
- Duque de Caminha and Duque de Vila Real (both extinct for high treason for supporting the right of the Spanish Habsburg Kings to the Portuguese throne after the revolution of 1640]]
- Duque do Cadaval, family Álvares Pereira de Mello, branch of the House of Braganza before they were Kings.
- Duque de Lafões, families Bragança, Souza and Menezes. The first duke was an illegitimate son of King Pedro II of Portugal. Also Counts of Miranda and Marquis of Arronches (Sousa) and Counts of Cantanhede and Marquis of Marialva (Menezes) and also Dukes of Miranda do Corvo (Bragança).
- Duque da Vitória (this title, meaning literally in Portuguese "Duke of the Victory", was given to Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Although hereditary, it was in practice a courtesy dukedom since their bearers were foreign citizens living out of Portugal).
- After the Liberal Regime
- Duque da Terceira, families Souza and Head of family Manoel de Vilhena in Portugal, which descends from Infante D. Manuel, son of Saint King Fernando III of Castille. In Spain the heads of these Family Manuel de Villena are the Dukes of Medinacelli and the name is used by the Duques of Arévalo d'El Rey. Also Counts (the first duke was the seventh Count) and Marquis of Vila Flor and afterwards, through marriage, Counts of Alpedrinha (families Saldanha Oliveira e Daun and also Costa from D. Jorge da Costa, Cardinal Alpedrinha) and Counts-Viscounts of Azarujinha (Family Dias de Freitas).The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and "Marechal" of the Army. Winner of the Battle of Asseisseira, entered in Lisbon, in head of the liberal forces, the 24th July 1833.
- Duque de Palmela, formerly Duque do Faial, title replaced by the title of Duke of Palmela, family Souza e Holstein, which descends by female from the Dukes of Holstein. Also Marquis of Faial and Palmela and Counts of Calhariz and Palmela. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and a Great Ambassador in London and the Viena Congress.
- Duque de Saldanha, family Saldanha Oliveira e Daun. Also Counts of Almoster and Marquis and Counts of Saldanha. The First Duke was President of the Council of Ministers and "Marechal" of the Army. Winner of the battle of Almoster.
- Duque de Loulé, family Mendoça, also Counts of Vale de Reis and Marquis of Loulé. They descend from Infanta D. Ana de Jesus Maria of Portugal. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Duque de Ávila e Bolama, family Ávila. First dukedom granted to a non high rank and moreover non-noble born person. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Duque de Albuquerque, family Costa de Sousa de Macedo, also Counts of Mesquitela, Viscounts of Mesquitela and formerly Barons of Mullingar in Ireland. The first Duke was President of the Council of Ministers.
- Non hereditary dukedoms.
- Dukedoms traditionally granted to the Camareira-Mor, the highest palatine office for a Lady, only during her life.