Brazilian surnames are an essential aspect of the country's rich cultural heritage, reflecting its diverse history and the various influences that have shaped its people. Brazilian surnames are primarily of Portuguese and Spanish descent, with additional influences from other cultures due to immigration and colonization.
Brazilian surnames provide valuable information for genealogical research, as they often reveal family connections, geographic origins, and historical events. Understanding the history and naming conventions of Brazilian surnames can help researchers trace their ancestry and uncover their family's unique story.
History of Brazilian surnames
The history of Brazilian surnames dates back to the sixteenth century when Portuguese settlers established colonies in Brazil. As a result, the country experienced cultural assimilation, with Portuguese becoming the main spoken language. Over time, Brazil also saw immigration from other countries such as Spain, Italy, Japan, and more, leading to a diverse range of surnames and cultural influences.
Brazilian Naming conventions
In Brazil, most people have two surnames inherited from their mother and father, in that order. By law, from 1916-1977, women had to adopt their husband's last names upon marriage. Nowadays, they might choose between keeping their names unchanged, dropping their maiden name and/or adding her husband's surname. As a result, some women may have two or more last names. Brazilian surnames often reflect the family's geographic origin, occupation, or personal characteristics.
Popular Brazilian surnames and their origins
- Silva - Derived from the Latin word for "forest" or "jungle," Silva is the most common surname in Brazil.
- Almeida - A Portuguese and Spanish surname for any of the places called Almeida in Portugal.
- Costa - A Portuguese and Italian topographic name for someone who lived on a riverbank or the ocean coast.
- Santos - A religious surname meaning "saints" in Portuguese.
- Oliveira - A Galician and Portuguese name for someone who lived near an olive grove.
- Pereira - A Galician and Portuguese name for someone who lived near a pear tree.
- Rodrigues - A patronymic surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."
- Fernandes - A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fernando."
- Cardoso - A Portuguese and Galician surname meaning "full of thistle."
- Castro - An Iberian surname derived from the Latin word "castrum," meaning "castle" or "fortress."
Geographic locations for Brazilian surnames
People with Brazilian surnames are typically found in Brazil, but due to immigration and globalization, they can also be found in other countries such as Portugal, Spain, the United States, and more.
Celebrities with Brazilian surnames
- Neymar da Silva Santos Jr, Brazilian professional footballer
- Paulo Coelho, author
- Anderson Silva, Brazilian mixed martial artist
- Adriana Lima, Brazilian model and actress
- Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), legendary Brazilian footballer
Explore more about Brazilian surnames
- Last names on MyHeritage
- Historical records from Brazil on MyHeritage
- A Complete List of Brazilian Last Names + Meanings at Family Education
- Naming at Chara Scroope
- List of Brazilians at Wikipedia
References
- https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/brazilian-culture/brazilian-culture-naming
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brazilians
- https://www.momjunction.com/articles/brazilian-last-names-surnames_00759701/#:~:text=Brazilian%20last%20names%20are%20mostly,spoken%20language%20of%20the%20country.
- https://learn.sayari.com/understanding-naming-conventions-in-latin-america-to-enhance-investigations/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421764/#:~:text=Most%20people%20in%20Brazil%20have,add%20that%20of%20the%20husband.
- https://www.momjunction.com/articles/brazilian-last-names-surnames_00759701/
- https://www.familyeducation.com/baby-names/surname/origin/brazilian
- https://www.goal.com/en/news/neymar-pele-kaka---why-do-many-brazilian-footballers-have-just-one-name/fdz9ma4h5hpu1h7594451ikxx#:~:text=Brazil%2C%20which%20used%20to%20be,then%20the%20father's%20last%20name.
- https://www.iheartbrazil.com/brazilian-last-names/
- https://www.fao.org/3/W7560E/W7560E06.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421764/
- https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/02/how-do-brazilians-come-up-with-baby-names.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_common_surnames_in_South_America