VIATOR / VILLATORO

Most if not all of the Viators from South Louisiana are descendents of Antonio Villatoro. Antonio came to Louisiana from Alhaurin,Spain in 1779 with his mother (Theresa Gomes), three sisters (Rita, Maria, Juana), and a cousin (Francisco Villatoro). Antonio married 1782 Gertrude Prados in St. Martinville, Louisiana. They had eleven children eight of which were boys. The Villatoro family was one of the founding families of New Iberia, Louisiana and left a large number of descendents. Antonio died 1823 at age 65 in St. Martinville, La. Because of the French influence from the large number of French Acadians that migrated to Louisiana, the name Villatoro was change to Viator.

The name Villatoro is without question Spanish. The name would suggest that its origins are rooted in persons having to do with the village (villa) of the bulls (toro). Perhaps they lived in a village that raised bulls for the bull fights or they may just have been full of bull.

Villatoro Contract with Spain

Villatoro Web Page (Spanish)

My line to Antonio Villatoro:

Ray Viator s/o Elton Viator s/o Rene Viator s/o Antoine T. Viator s/o Andre Viator s/o Antonio Villatoro.

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