The word capuchin derives from a group of friars named the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, an offshoot from the Franciscans, who wear brown robes with large hoods. When explorers reached the Americas in the 15th century, they found small monkeys whose coloring resembled these friars, especially when in their robes with hoods down, and named them capuchins. In captivity, capuchin monkeys are easily trained and have been popularly associated with roving performers such as organ grinders. The range of the capuchin monkeys includes Central and south America.
