Cortes

Cortes is a surname of Spanish origin and is often written with an acute accent as Cortés in Spanish. It is used in many Spanish-speaking countries and has given rise to various places and institutions that bear the name. In English-language contexts, Cortes may refer to people or places named Cortés or Cortes.

Hernán Cortés (c. 1485–1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that contributed to the fall of the Aztec Empire. Arriving in Mexico in 1519 with a small force, he formed alliances with Indigenous groups such as the Tlaxcalans, captured the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan in 1521, and established the colony of New Spain. His campaigns had a profound impact on the history of the Americas and remain a central topic in historical study and debate.

Aside from the historical figure, the name Cortes appears in geography and other contexts. Cortes Island is a small island in British Columbia, Canada, named in many cases for individuals bearing the Cortes surname. The name is common across Spanish-speaking regions and is carried by numerous contemporary figures in politics, sports, the arts, and academia. The forms Corté s and Cortes reflect linguistic variations in different languages and regions, illustrating the name’s broad cultural presence.