herrero

Herrero is the Spanish term for a person who works with metal, especially iron and steel. The occupation is commonly known in English as a blacksmith. The feminine form of the profession is herrera, and Herrero is also a common Spanish surname.

Practice and tools: A herrero heats metal in a forge (forja) and shapes it on an anvil (yunque) using a hammer (martillo) and tongs (tenazas). Techniques include forging and bending, welding or brazing, heat treatment such as annealing, quenching and tempering. Typical outputs include horseshoes, agricultural tools, hardware, gates, and often weapons in historical contexts.

History and social role: Blacksmiths have been central to pre-industrial and early industrial economies, supplying tools and hardware. In medieval Europe, guilds regulated training through apprenticeships leading to mastery. The smith's workshop (herrería) was a social and economic hub in many towns.

Modern context: In the industrial era, mass production reduced demand for artisanal work, but professional smiths continue in crafts, restoration, and specialty metalwork, often combining traditional methods with modern equipment. Some regions preserve smithing as a cultural heritage; the surname Herrero is widespread in Spanish-speaking countries.