Canovas

Canovas, often written with the accent as Cánovas, is a Spanish surname. It is most commonly found in Spain and in Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, reflecting historical migration and settlement patterns. The name is used by various individuals across generations, including politicians, scholars, and public figures.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Antonio Cánovas del Castillo (1828–1897), a Spanish politician who played a central role in the Bourbon Restoration after the collapse of the First Spanish Republic. He helped establish the constitutional framework that guided Spain during the late 19th century and was instrumental in creating the turno pacifico, a system in which the Conservative and Liberal parties alternated in government to maintain stability. Cánovas served as prime minister on several occasions and dominated Spanish politics for years until his assassination in 1897 by an Italian anarchist.

In contemporary usage, the surname appears in various forms and diacritics, with Cánovas and Canovas both encountered. The accent is common in Spanish-language contexts, while English-language texts may omit it. The name continues to be present in Spain and in Latin American communities, carried by individuals across professions and regions.