Discover the 10 MOST COMMON surnames in Brazil and their origins

Have you ever wondered what are the surnames most common in Brazil and what is the story behind them? If you are curious about this topic, this article is for you.

Reading the content provided below, you will learn about the 10 most popular surnames in the country and their origins, which reflect the rich cultural diversity of the Brazilian people.

Continues reading and discover more about your own genealogy and that of millions of Brazilians!

The 10 most common surnames in Brazil and their origins

Brazil is a country made up of a mixture of indigenous peoples, Europeans, Africans and immigrants from various parts of the world, who mixed together over the centuries.

All this diversity is manifested in the most common surnames found in the country, which reveal the cultural and historical influences that shaped our national identity.

Below, you will discover the 10 most common surnames in Brazil and their origins in order of popularity, according to the IBGE. Look:

10. Coast

The surname “Costa” comes from the Portuguese word “costa”, which means “coast” or “coast”. This surname was often given to people who lived near the country's sea coast.

This surname is found throughout Brazil and is adopted by people from different ethnic backgrounds.

9. Ferreira

“Ferreira” has Portuguese origin and is related to the profession of blacksmith. During Brazilian colonization, many names were given according to the occupation of individuals.

In this sense, “Ferreira” is widely found in Brazil and represents an important part of Brazilian history and culture.

8. Almeida

This surname is also part of the history of Portuguese colonization. “Almeida” originates in Portugal and refers to an ancient city in the Iberian country, which bears the same name.

During the Brazilian Colonial Period, this surname was brought to Brazil and spread to different regions. Therefore, today it is one of the most common surnames in the country.

7. Rodrigues

“Rodrigues” is a variation of the first name Rodrigo, of Germanic origin. It is a very common surname in Brazil, with a strong presence in several regions.

It is believed that it was introduced into the country by Portuguese settlers in times past.

6. pear tree

The surname “Pereira” has Portuguese origin and is derived from the word “pereiro”, which refers to a fruit tree.

It is believed that it was also brought to Brazil during the Colonial Period. This surname is quite popular in various parts of the country, representing a significant portion of the Brazilian population.

5. lime

“Lima” is also quite common in Brazil and has a geographical origin, referring to the city of Lima, in the Peru. During colonization, many names were adopted from places of origin or destinations of expeditions.

In this way, the surname “Lima” was spread throughout Brazil and is now widely found in several regions.

4. Oliveira

Likewise, this is a very old surname and it also arrived here during colonization. The presence of this surname is strong in all regions of the country and many Brazilian families carry it with pride.

3. souza

Now, we have reached the top 3 of our ranking. The third most common surname in Brazil, “Souza”, which is also written as “Sousa”, with “S”, has Portuguese origin and was originally a geographical name, referring to a city or region of Portugal. It is believed to have been brought to Brazil during the Colonial Period.

2. saints

Secondly, “Santos” is also widespread in Brazil and is associated with the religiosity of the Brazilian people. It is believed that it originated from the Catholic tradition of adopting the name of Santos as a surname, as a form of devotion.

Furthermore, like other surnames already seen on this list, “Santos” possibly arrived here during the colonization period.

1. silva

Finally, at the top of the ranking is the surname “Silva”, which is the most common in Brazil. With a remarkable presence throughout the national territory, its origin dates back to Portugal, where it was used as a family name associated with forest areas.

In Brazil, “Silva” is present in all regions and is widely adopted by people from different ethnic backgrounds.