Is Mendez a Jewish surname?

Question:

Is Mendez a Jewish surname?

My mother's maiden name is Mendez. I've been researching it and the name has popped up on quite a few sites discussing the Spanish inquisition; when many Spanish Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism in the 1400s. I've come across a few historical Jewish people with the name "mendez". I suspect that my ancestors may have been Spanish Jews who at some point converted to catholicism. (my family is catholic)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Peres, Mendez and many other "old Spanish" surnames are very common among Sephardic Jews. They were expelled from Spain when Queen Isabella decided to make her country 100% Catholic. Most made their way to what was then Palestine and lived pretty happily for about 400 years. Life's changed for them in the last 60.