Duke of Arco () is a hereditary title in the peerage of Spain, accompanied by the dignity of Grandee and granted in 1715 by Philip V to Alonso Manrique de Lara, 4th Count of Montehermoso, knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece and his caballerizo mayor for two periods, 1721–1724 and 1724–1737.Hidalgos de España (2018). p. 56Search of title "ARCO, duque del"
The title makes reference to the small village of Arco in Cañaveral, province of Cáceres, where the grantee held a lordship.
Succession As with other Spanish noble titles, the dukedom of Arco descended according to cognatic primogeniture, meaning that females could inherit the title if they had no brothers (or if their brothers had no issue), such as in the 7th Duchess's case. The rules were relaxed in 2006, since when the eldest child (regardless of gender) can automatically succeed to noble family titles.
The 7th Duchess married Fernando de Soto y Colón de Carvajal (1930-2001), V Count of Puerto Hermoso, X Marquess of Arienzo, and it is expected that their son, Manuel de Soto y Falcó, will succeed to his mother's dukedom.Nobleza Española Grandeza Inmemorial 1520 (Madrid, 2009)
Notable figures
Historical accounts mentioned some notable personages who held the title. For instance, there was the very first duke Don Alonso Manrique, who also held the positions caballerizo mayor and "montero mayor" (Master of the Royal Hunt). In 1839, the duke who held this position represented the hacendados (landowners) in a petition to the civil governor of Malaga asking for irrigation reforms.
List of dukes of Arco Title holder Period Created by Philip V of Spain I Alonso Manrique de Lara y Silva 1715 – 1737 II Francisco de Asís Lasso de la Vega y Manrique 1770 – 1805 III María Vicenta de Solís y Lasso de la Vega 1805 – 1848 IV María Pilar Osorio y Gutiérrez de los Ríos 1848 – 1917 V Manuel Falcó y Álvarez de Toledo 1917 – 1951VI Manuel Falcó y Anchorena 1951 – 1958 VII Mercedes Falcó y de Anchorena 1958 – present
See also List of dukes in the peerage of Spain List of current grandees of Spain
References
Bibliography