Duke of Arco


Duke of Arco is a Spanish noble title. It was created by King Philip V of Spain in 1715 for :es:Alonso Manrique de Lara y Silva|Alonso Manrique de Lara y Silva.

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, such as in the 7th Duchess's case. The rules were relaxed in 2006, since when the eldest child can automatically succeed to noble family titles.
The 7th Duchess married Fernando de Soto y Colón de Carvajal, V Count of Puerto Hermoso, X Marquis of Arienzo, and it is expected that their son, Manuel de Soto y Falcó, will succeed to his mother's dukedom.

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 Gentleman of the Royal Bed-Chamber and Master of the Royal Hunt. In 1839, the duke who held this position represented the hacendados in a petition to the civil governor of Malaga asking for irrigation reforms.
A Duke of Arco was a character in the opera called Salvator Rosa by Antônio Carlos Gomes.

List of Dukes of Arco