Medrano

The Medrano were a high-noble lineage of Navarre, their surname of Basque origin meaning growth or prosperity, with houses around Estella and Pamplona. They were among the kingdom's ricoshombres in the early thirteenth century, when Martín López de Medrano served at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212.

In the succession crisis of 1328, the death of Charles the Fair severed Navarre's personal union with France. The Navarrese Cortes chose Juan Martínez de Medrano, called the Elder, together with Juan Corbarán de Lehet, as regents to govern until Joan II and her husband Philip of Évreux took the crown.

Through later centuries the family kept its place in Navarrese administration and arms, one branch serving as royal standard-bearers and lords of Azpa. In 1793 a Vélaz de Medrano was created Marquis of Fontellas near Tudela.