In Brazil, many individuals carry Portuguese surnames in their identities. These nicknames have an origin that dates back to colonial Brazil, where several Portuguese families moved to the country and created a history here.
Considering this perspective, we present here a list of 10 Portuguese surnames that are widely popular and carried by millions of Brazilians, reflecting its colonization influence in Brazil.
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Keep reading and find out if your last name is on the list!
1. souza
The surname “Souza” or “Sousa”, as well as the variation “de Souza”, is extremely popular in Brazil, being shared by 2.6 million Brazilians. In Portugal, it is also a common surname, present in about 311 thousand people.
The wide presence of this surname both in Brazil and in Portugal demonstrates its relevance and the influence of the families that carry it in both nations.
2. silva
The surname “Silva”, being one of the most common in Brazil, is shared by more than 5 million Brazilians, while in Portugal it is found in about 999 thousand Portuguese. Its origin goes back to the Latin “silva”, which means “forest” or “jungle”.
3. saints
The surname “Santos” has a symbolic meaning related to the divine, referring to the idea of holiness and religiosity. In Brazil, it is the second most popular surname, shared by more than 3 million Brazilians.
4. Almeida
The surname “Almeida”, carried by 1.3 million Brazilians, has a toponymic origin related to the region of Ribacôa, in Portugal, where Castelo de Almeida is located.
The name derives from a combination of Arabic terms, "al" meaning "the" (definite article), and "majíd" which can be translated as "glorious" or "plain".
5. Moorish
The surname “Moura” originates from the Alentejo village of Moura, located in the District of Beja, in Portugal.
Due to the fact that the region was inhabited by the Moors, who were Arabs from North Africa, the surname acquired related meanings, such as “who is born in Moura”, meaning “wall” or “land of the Moors”.
6. Castro
The surname “Castro” is carried by 568,392 Brazilians and about 66,000 Portuguese and became known for being used by noble families. Its origin goes back to the Latin term “castru”, which means “fortress”.
The surname “Castro” acquired the meaning of “one who was born near castles” or “one who lives in a place characterized by the existence of fortresses”.
7. melon
The surname “Melo” has Portuguese origin and is derived from the nickname given to a family head named D. Soeiro Reimondes, who received the nickname “melro” or “merlo”. “Blackbird” refers to a species of bird with black feathers and an orange beak. Therefore, the surname “Melo” acquired the meaning of “bird”.
8. teixeira
The surname “Teixeira” has Portuguese origin and is related to the geographic region of Teixeira. This surname was adopted by D. Ermigio Mendes de Teixeira.
The word “Teixeira” refers to the predominant presence of yew trees in the area, giving the surname the meaning of “born in the yew region” or “inhabitant of a place where there are many yew trees”.
9. Ax
The surname “Machado” originates from the Portuguese lineage of the “de Ribadouro” and is associated with the medieval knight Martim Pires Machado. In addition, there is the possibility that the surname was adopted by people who were involved in the manufacture or use of the cutting tool known as an axe.
10. Birth
The surname of Portuguese origin “Nascimento” has a connection with the divine and with Jesus Christ. It is uploaded by more than 1 million Brazilians, while in Portugal it registers around 41 thousand occurrences.
With its etymological root in the Latin “nascere”, this surname carries the meaning of a “homage to the birth of Christ”.
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