Hi all!!
For those Who are interested! The Surname has been traced back to a Place in Spain called Santillana del Mar, where there is a a Mansion called "Palacio de los Velarde". My is from atown in the North of Spain called Viernoles (Province of Cantabria). To my knowledge I have found that a few Velarde's left this town in the 1800's and went to New Mexico. I have the Velarde Coat Of Arms but its a .gif file. On the coat of arms it says "Velarde, el que la Sierpe mato y con la Infanta se caso" which means Velarde who killed the Snake and married the Princess!! If any one is interested I can send the .gif file!!