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The history of the ancestors of the Dukes of Alba, the Toledo lineage, is inextricably linked to that of the city from which it took its surname, whose main trunk was derived by genealogists from Don Pedro, son of the emperor of Constantinople Isaac Conmeno, who together with many other foreigners participated in the conquest of Toledo by King Alfonso VI. However, much more recent studies have indisputably established that the family origin is found in the large and influential Mozarabic community, established centuries ago in this city.


Esteban Illán has been recognized as the visible and original head of a wide kinship, and some of his descendants were important officers of the Castilian administration, such as García Álvarez de Toledo, who adopted the surname with which the family will be known in Castile since 1326.

Gutierre Gómez de Toledo and his nephew Fernán Álvarez de Toledo were leading figures in Castilian politics and militarism in the 15th century. Gutierre managed courtly affairs, assuring the prestige of the lineage with Fernán's military exploits.

Íñigo López de Mendoza, Marquis of Santillana, later praised the relationship between Fernán and his uncle Gutierre, highlighting how they shared teachings and experiences since childhood.

García de Toledo, Fadrique's successor and father, played an active role in the time of the Catholic Monarchs. Fadrique, known for his loyalty to Ferdinand the Catholic, faced personal tragedy but pinned his hopes on his grandson Fernando, the future duke.

Juan Boscán, as a tutor, was key in Fernando's education, influenced by the rules of the perfect courtier and poetry. Garcilaso, a friend of Boscán and close to Fernando, played a significant role in this formation and contributed verses in honor of the House.

Fadrique de Toledo died on October 18, 1531, and his grandson Fernando became the 3rd Duke of Alba. After the funeral ceremonies, Ferdinand assumed his titles and responsibilities, and went to Brussels to begin his service under Charles V and Philip II. His career, which encompassed various military and political functions, spanned fifty years, marking the reigns of both monarchs.

Fernando de Toledo is remembered as a complex and controversial figure in Spanish history, his legacy being the subject of extensive analysis and debate. His principles and values are reflected in his last words, transmitted by Fray Luis de Granada, where he emphasizes his loyalty, financial responsibility and integrity in recommending people for important positions.

The poetic legacy left by Fernando de Toledo is also remarkable, showing his emotional connection to his homeland, Alba de Tormes, and his sense of loss and love for his country. This aspect of his life underlines the personal and cultural dimension of his legacy, beyond his political and military achievements.

Fernando, the first-born son of the 5th Duke of Alba, became the 6th Duke after the death of his father. Born in 1595 and died in 1667, he married Antonia Enríquez de Ribera, heir to the marquisate of Villanueva del Río. Through this marriage, the Alba family inherited the Palace of Las Dueñas in Seville, of great future relevance for the family. Although the 6th Duke was not a prominent figure in Spanish politics, he stood out as a patron, counting Calderón de la Barca among his protégés.

The main succession of the Alba family ended with Antonio Martín, and the inheritance passed to Francisco de Toledo, the former duke's paternal uncle, who married Catalina de Haro and Guzmán, a union that added important titles and properties to the Casa de Alba. Despite the fact that the 17th century dukes of Alba played no important role in politics, the association with the Casa del Carpio brought new prestige to the family, especially because of the connection with figures such as the Count Duke of Olivares and Don Luis de Haro.

María Teresa Álvarez de Toledo y Haro, a product of this remarkable alliance, was the first woman to hold the ducal title of Alba, marrying Manuel de Silva, Count of Galve, thus continuing the legacy and influence of the family on the Spanish nobility.

Fernando Silva Álvarez de Toledo, initially known as Duke of Huéscar, later became the 12th Duke of Alba. Born in Vienna in 1714, Fernando played an important role both in the military and diplomatic spheres of Spain, becoming an extraordinary ambassador in Versailles at the age of thirty and later the chief butler of the palace in Spain.

The change of surname from Toledo to Silva, initiated by his father, marked a sentimental deviation in the history of the family, putting the surname Silva, of paternal origin, ahead of the historic Toledo. Fernando married only once and had a son, Francisco de Paula, who died before him, leaving behind a daughter, María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana.

María del Pilar married José Álvarez de Toledo, uniting two great lineages and restoring the surname Toledo to the Alba family. Known for her cultural and refined life, the Duchess became an emblematic character, involved in various controversies, including conflicts with Queen María Luisa and rumors of a relationship with Goya, becoming associated with the figures of the painter's famous Majas. His life and mysterious death have been the subject of numerous literary and cinematographic works.

After the Duchess's death without heirs in 1802, the succession of the Duchy of Alba passed to Carlos Miguel Fitz-James Stuart, 7th Duke of Berwick, of the family descended from Maria Stuardo, established in Spain since the 18th century. His son, Jacobo, married Catalina Ventura Colón de Portugal, thus uniting important titles and noble lineages.

The duchy continued with Jacobo Fitz James Stuart, builder of the Liria Palace in Madrid. However, their direct successors did not stand out on the public scene. In 1802, Carlos Miguel Fitz-James Stuart united the houses of Berwick and Alba, marking the beginning of a new era for the family, where the surname Fitz-James Stuart predominated.

During the 19th century, the Dukes of Alba kept a low profile in politics, although they continued to influence the society of the time. Carlos Miguel, the first duke of this union, was a patron of the arts and formed a valuable artistic collection. Their descendants continued this tradition, and the family remained active in Spanish society.

In the 20th century, the political activity of the Casa de Alba was revitalized with Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Alba, a friend of Alfonso XIII and culturally and politically active. He began the reconstruction of the Liria Palace after the Civil War, and was ambassador to England. Married to María del Rosario Silva and Gurtubay, they fathered the future Duchess of Alba, Cayetana, who continued the family legacy, expanding artistic heritage and promoting culture through the Casa de Alba Foundation.

Today, the 19th Duke of Alba, Carlos Fitz-James Stuart, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the extended family legacy, opening the family's palaces to the public and continuing the patronage and cultural influence of his ancestors.