Many surnames common in Brazil have European origin. During the colonization of the country, mainly by the Portuguese, many European immigrants came to Brazil, bringing their surnames with them. Find out if your surname has European origin. Check out!
European origin of Brazilian surnames
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In addition to the Portuguese, other European nationalities also contributed to the diversity of Brazilian surnames, such as Spanish, Italian, German and Polish, among others.
silva
The surname Silva is one of the most common surnames not only in Brazil, but also in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries. Its origin dates back to the medieval period in the Iberian Peninsula.
The word “Silva” comes from Latin and means “jungle” or “forest”. In medieval times, the Iberian Peninsula was covered by dense forests, and many surnames were derived from geographical features, such as the names of rivers, mountains, valleys and forests.
saints
During the Middle Ages, devotion to the saints was very present in European society. Many people chose the names of saints as proper names for themselves or their children, as a way of expressing their faith and seeking divine protection.
Those who did not have a fixed or inherited surname could adopt the surname “dos Santos” or simply “Santos” as a way of indicating their devotion and connection to the Catholic faith.
Oliveira
This surname has a toponymic origin, that is, it is related to a specific geographic location. Oliveira derives from the Portuguese word “oliveira”, which refers to the tree that produces olives. The olive tree is a tree native to the Mediterranean region and has great economic and cultural importance in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy.
pear tree
Very common Portuguese surname, derived from the Portuguese word for “pear tree”, a tree that produces pears. This surname was passed down from generation to generation, becoming hereditary, and was brought to Brazil during the colonial period by Portuguese colonizers.
souza
It is believed that the surname Souza derives from the Latin term “saxa”, which means “rocks” or “stones”. Over time, the term evolved into “Souza” and began to be used as a surname.
Coast
It means “coast”, “coastal” or “seaside”. During medieval times, when the fixation of surnames began to develop, it was common for people to adopt surnames related to the geographical features of their lands. Thus, the surname Costa was attributed to people who lived close to the coast, the sea or coastal regions.