The Padilla DNA Project seeks to find common heritage through sharing of information and dna testing. This is originally a Spanish name which has spread all over the world. For example, there is a Padilla family in the Phillipines. There is also Padilla family that is one of the original settler families of New Mexico. Many of the New Mexican Padilla families are either descended from Jose Padilla who was born 10 Sep 1649 in Queretaro, Mexico; died 1712 in Guadalupe del Paso, New Mexico or from the native american slaves of this family who took that surname as well.