The "Pintos" lived in Lagariça since the medieval period; this was a family of noblemen and lords from Riba de Bestança, in Tower of Chã, and from the Covelas palace, in the old municipality of Ferreiros. Gonçalo Martins Cochofel was, probably, the first lord of Lagariça and, in the early 16th century, he got married to D. Briolanja Pinto, of the Pintos de Covelas generation. During the Middle Ages, the Tower was probably used by watchmen to control its surroundings. In 1610 it belonged to the Pintos Cochoféis, who carried out building works to turn the Tower into the family's home. The name Casa da Torre [Tower House] is related to the existence of the ancient castle tower attached to the manor house. The manor house together with the tower was declared a Public Interest Building by decree on September 29th, 1977. This house is somewhat similar to the "Illustrious House of Ramires", described in Eça de Queiroz's novel.