Mem Soares de Melo, 1st Lord de Melo

Biography

Born approximately 1200, in Portugal, son of Soeiro Raimundes de Riba de Vizela and Urraca Viegas Barroso, and according to a prestigious Portuguese genealogist, he was a descendant of two Visigoth kings. Soares de Melo was married to Teresa Afonso Gato, daughter Affonso Pires o Gato and Urraca Fernandes de Lumiares, a distant descendant of Mendo Alão and his wife an Armenian princess.

Mem Soares de Melo, was the founder of the Mello family, he served in the court of King Afonso III of Portugal, as alferes-mor, Lieutenant of Gouveia, and Counselor.

Mem Soares de Melo was owner of two Castles in Gouveia and Linhares.