The surname of ALVARES is of Spanish and Portugese origin, a baptismal name 'the son of Alvaro'. The name meant 'one who was prudent and true'. The name is also spelt ALVADARO, ALVAR, ALVARES, ALVARO and ALVES. In the 8th century, Spain fell under the control of the Moors, and this influence, which lasted into the 12th century, has also left its mark on Hispanic surnames. A few names are based directly on Arabic personal names. The majority of Spanish occupational and nickname surnames, however, are based on ordinary Spanish occupational and nickname surnames. A noteworthy member of this surname was Pedro de ALVARADO (circa.1485-1541) the Spanish conquistador and companion of Hernando Cortes during the conquest of Mexico (1519-21). He became governor of Tenochtitlan, where the harshness of his rule incited an Aztec revolt which drove the Spaniards out. In the following hear Tenochtitlan was recaptured and razed, and Mexico City built in its place. From 1523 to 1527 he was sent by Cortes on an expedition to Guatemala, which also conquered parts of El Salvador. He returned to Spain and in 1529 was appointed governor of Guatemala. He embarked on an expedition to conquer Ecuador in 1534, but failed. Notable members of the name include Jose ALVAREZ (1786-1827) the Spanish sculptor of the classical school. He was imprisoned in Rome for refusing to recognize Bonaparte as king of Spain, but was later released and employed by Napoleon to decorate the Quirinal Palace. In 1816 he became court sculptor to Ferdinand VI in Madrid. Corrado ALVARO (1895-1956) was the Italian novelist and journalist, born in Reggio. He was the author of several novels and collections of essays. Throughout all of Europe the wolf was one of the animals most revered in medieval times. Lycanthropy, the transformation of men into wolves, was widely believed in during the middle ages, and was often used in coat armour.