Noronha

There are three branches of this family in Madeira: one descended from Dom João and Dom Garcia de Noronha, sons of Dom Garcia Henriques (see Henriques); another from Dona Maria de Noronha, who was married to João Gonçalves da Câmara, second captain-donatary (capitão-donatário) of Funchal; and a third descended from Dona Luísa Agostinha de Noronha, daughter of Manuel Freire de Noronha. We believe the second branch to be the most noble.

Manuel de Noronha, son of the aforementioned João Gonçalves da Câmara and Dona Maria de Noronha, received as a sesmaria (royal land grant to settlers on condition of cultivation) the land that later became the Quinta dos Padres da Companhia (‘the Jesuit fathers’ estate’).