Ancient and noble House from Portugal, of clear and ancestral virtue, that has worldwide spread, over the centuries. According to what has been handed down, this surname already existed in the year 1170 but the first family members of which there is historical memory are a Don Hermigo Cardoso and a João Pais Cardoso, both from Lamego, who were at the service of Afonso III of Portugal. The family always distinguished itself for the many land holdings and the ability to serve faithfully the kings of Portugal. Another branch of this family descends from Vasco Dias Cardoso, commander of S. Miguel de Fornos de Macieira do Dão in the order of Christ, who married D. Isabel Cardoso, 5ª Lady of Coutos. Vasco Dias Cardoso was the third grandson, for legitimate male line, of Louis Cardoso Vaz, Lord of honor and Manor of Cardoso in the municipality of S. Martinho de ...