Moraga means many things to its residents -- great schools, open spaces, the home of Saint Mary’s College, a good place to raise a family, and so much more. 

    According to the Moraga Historical Society, the Town of Moraga was named after Joaquin Moraga, who in 1835, along with his cousin, Juan Bernal, requested a land grant from the independent Mexican State of Alta California.  His request was granted, and he became the owner of over 13,000 acres. 

    Pear orchards were far from Moraga’s mind at that time.  His interests was in ranching which grew to approximately 1,000 head of cattle and 4,000 horses.  He eventually built a two-room adobe house along a spring on a hill overlooking what is now the home of Miramonte High School.   

    The Moraga family held fandangos (parties) with music, dancing, and plenty of food.  Extended families and neighbors were invited to join in the festivities.  No doubt there was plenty of barbecuing going on to feed the masses. 

    Taking a deeper dive into the meaning of the word “moraga,” it would seem that Joaquin took his name to heart when he threw his fandangos for the neighborhood as the word itself basically means “barbecue” in Spanish.  Although it is not associated with beef consumption, “moraga” translates to “a coastal beach bonfire used for grilling sardines or fish.”   In some regional Spanish dialects, it can also mean “a bundle of sticks or harvested brush.” 

    Whether intentional or not, there is no trace of a Weber Grill on the Moraga family’s coat of arms.  “The crest above the wreath consists of gold horns with a single green clover and a gold helmet with a green and gold twisted wreath,” states the Moraga Historical Society’s website.  “The shield has a gold field with a green mulberry tree (Mora of Moraga means mulberry tree in Spanish) and is surrounded by a silver border decorated with ermine tails.  Two gold streamers (banderoles) decorate the lower part of the coat of arms.  The colors gold and silver represent the metal weapons used in battle; green represents the symbol of freedom, beauty, joy, health, and hope.”