La Prima Madre

The matriarchal influence in the hispanic culture has been predominant for some time.

In English Common Law, when a woman married she lost her right to own property in her own name. Spanish Law however, still afforded a wife rights independent of her husband. She retained property rights of land she held prior to the marriage and held 1/2 interest on community property held during marriage.

Women who no longer had a father or a husband had full rights of property and control over them. This was usually widows but sometimes single daughters whose father left land to them or even a few divorced women. 

In most Latin Cultures, women also keep their surnames. They have traditionally added their husbands name to theirs in a hyphenated new name. There is a new trend of women in today's cultures of not even adding their husband's surname at all.

More than 60 women obtained Spanish or Mexican Land Grants in Texas before 1848.