The title Admiral of Portugal and its office became a hereditary benefice in the Pessanha family and they have never lost the title due to exemplary service.
After the disastrous handling of the Portuguese fleet in the blockade of Seville in 1369, Pessanha's son Lancarote Pessanha temporarily lost the admiral title to Joao Afonso Telo de Menezes (Count of Barcelos), but was later restored by King Ferdinand of Portugal. 
