Cárenas is a surname generally of Spanish origin, however, the surname has been traced back to 9th century Sicily. The Cárdenas family fled Sicily due to religious persecution and founded a city in Spain called Cárdenas. The name of the city of was later changed to Antequera. During the Spanish Inquisition, the Cárdenas family converted from Judaism to Catholicism. All persons with the surname Cárdenas can trace their origin to the same family (unless a member by marriage).