Iturbides

Iturbide is a surname of Basque origin that is found in Spain and in several Latin American countries. The name is associated with families that settled in the Iberian Peninsula and later in the viceroyalty of New Spain, where one branch rose to particular historical prominence in the early 19th century.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Agustín de Iturbide (1783–1824), a Mexican military officer and statesman who played a central role in the country’s path to independence and briefly served as Emperor of Mexico. Born in Valladolid, Nueva España (present-day Morelia, Michoacán), Iturbide initially supported the royalist cause but later joined forces with independence movements. In 1821 he helped secure independence for Mexico through the Plan of Iguala, which he negotiated with Vicente Guerrero. The following year, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, a position he held for a short period before abdicating in 1823. He died in 1824.

Beyond Agustín de Iturbide, the surname is borne by other individuals in Spanish-speaking regions, reflecting the name’s Basque heritage and the historical spread of families bearing the name. In contemporary contexts, Iturbide may appear among people in Spain, Mexico, and elsewhere, without implying a direct or ongoing political connection to the imperial era. The Iturbide name remains primarily of historical interest due to its association with the early years of Mexican independence and the short-lived monarchy.