The Name El Hierro is derived from the Guanche Language. It means “Iron” in Spanish. It was also known as “Ferro” which means iron in Latin. It’s called Ferro in other languages, including French, German, and Danish.

The ancient inhabitants of El Hierro were known as “Bimbaches”.
They controlled the island until they were eventually conquered by Jean de Béthencourt. This happened more through the process of negotiation than by military action.

Béthencourt promised to respect the liberty of the Bimbaches, but he soon broke this promise and sold most of them into slavery.

Subsequently, the French and Galicians moved onto the island.
There were numerous revolts from the natives but all of them were suppressed.