Although arguably there is no connection between the meaning of a surname and a coat of arms, the origins as known seem to us unlikely given that a coat of arms of great prominence was granted to the family of Hurtado de Mendoza in circa 1600.
Freezing meat keeps bacteria in a dormant stage. However, once thawed, these bacteria can become active again. Never thaw meat on the counter or let it sit out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. In the summer, reduce this time to 1 hour.
For small packages of chops or individual chops, cold water defrosting can be as quick as microwave defrosting. Place the tightly wrapped chops in a deep bowl and fill it with cold water. Change the water after 20 to 30 minutes, or leave cold water trickling into it so it's constantly refreshed. Individual chops can thaw this way in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on their thickness, while packages of chops can take an hour or more.