Portuguese Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a deep dive into the fascinating world of Portuguese last names? This comprehensive list explores the rich history, cultural significance, and meanings behind some of the most common and intriguing surnames in Portugal. From ancient origins to modern adaptations, discover the stories woven into these family names and gain a deeper understanding of Portuguese identity. Dive in and explore the origins of your own family name or discover the meaning behind the names of your Portuguese friends and family!
1. **Abreu:** Meaning "blackberry bush" or "slope," possibly indicating a place of origin.
2. **Albuquerque:** A place name, meaning "white oak grove."
3. **Almeida:** Another place name, meaning "German meadow" or "German field."
4. **Alves:** Means "son of Álvaro," a popular given name in Portugal.
5. **Amaral:** Derived from the word "amar," meaning "to love," suggesting a place known for its beauty or pleasantness.
6. **Andrade:** A place name, meaning "land of the Andrades."
7. **Antunes:** Means "son of António," a common given name in Portugal.
8. **Azevedo:** Derived from the word "azevedo," meaning "olive grove."
9. **Baptista:** Means "baptized one," derived from the Christian ritual of baptism.
10. **Barbosa:** Originating from the word "barba," meaning "beard," possibly referring to a bearded ancestor.
11. **Batista:** A variant of Baptista, also meaning "baptized one."
12. **Beirão:** From the region of Beira in Portugal, meaning "someone from Beira."
13. **Belém:** Meaning "Bethlehem," a significant place in Christianity.
14. **Benevides:** Meaning "good news" or "blessed."
15. **Bernardo:** A given name of German origin, meaning "brave bear."
16. **Carvalho:** Means "oak tree," possibly indicating a place with many oak trees.
17. **Carvalheira:** A feminine form of Carvalho, also meaning "oak tree."
18. **Casal:** A place name, meaning "small house" or "farmhouse."
19. **Castro:** Meaning "castle," possibly indicating a place with a historical castle.
20. **Catarina:** A feminine name of Greek origin, meaning "pure" or "undefiled."
21. **Correia:** A place name, meaning "leather worker" or "cord maker."
22. **Costa:** Meaning "coast" or "shore," indicating a place near the sea.
23. **Couto:** Means "court" or "fenced-in area," possibly referring to a place with a fortified area.
24. **Cruz:** Means "cross," a symbol of Christianity.
25. **Da Costa:** Means "from the coast," indicating someone who originated from a coastal area.
26. **Da Silva:** Means "from the forest," referring to someone who lived in a wooded area.
27. **Dias:** Means "days," possibly indicating someone who lived for many days or had a long life.
28. **Duarte:** A given name of German origin, meaning "strong defender."
29. **Fernandes:** Means "son of Fernando," a popular given name in Portugal.
30. **Ferreira:** Means "ironworker," referring to someone who worked with iron.
31. **Figueiredo:** Means "fig tree," possibly indicating a place with many fig trees.
32. **Fonseca:** A place name, meaning "spring" or "fountain."
33. **Freitas:** A place name, meaning "woods" or "forest."
34. **Galvão:** Means "young rooster," possibly referring to someone who was young or energetic.
35. **Gomes:** Means "son of Gomes," a popular given name in Portugal.
36. **Gonçalves:** Means "son of Gonçalo," a popular given name in Portugal.
37. **Goulart:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with a specific type of flower or plant.
38. **Guerra:** Means "war," possibly indicating a place where a battle occurred or someone who was involved in war.
39. **Henriques:** Means "son of Henrique," a popular given name in Portugal.
40. **Herédia:** Means "inheritance," possibly referring to someone who inherited a piece of land or property.
41. **Jesus:** A name of biblical origin, referring to the central figure of Christianity.
42. **Lopes:** Means "son of Lourenço," a popular given name in Portugal.
43. **Machado:** Means "axe," possibly referring to someone who used an axe or a place where axes were made.
44. **Magalhães:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
45. **Marques:** Means "son of Marco," a popular given name in Portugal.
46. **Martins:** Means "son of Martin," a popular given name in Portugal.
47. **Mendes:** Means "son of Mendes," a popular given name in Portugal.
48. **Miranda:** A place name, meaning "lookout" or "vantage point."
49. **Monteiro:** Means "mountain dweller," indicating someone who lived in a mountainous area.
50. **Morais:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
51. **Moreira:** Means "mulberry tree," possibly indicating a place with many mulberry trees.
52. **Moura:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
53. **Neves:** Means "snows," possibly indicating a place with snowy conditions or someone who lived in a snowy area.
54. **Nogueira:** Means "walnut tree," possibly indicating a place with many walnut trees.
55. **Oliveira:** Means "olive tree," indicating a place with many olive trees.
56. **Paiva:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
57. **Pereira:** Means "pear tree," possibly indicating a place with many pear trees.
58. **Pinheiro:** Means "pine tree," possibly indicating a place with many pine trees.
59. **Pinto:** Means "painted" or "spotted," possibly referring to someone who had a distinctive appearance or a place known for its colors.
60. **Pires:** Means "son of Pedro," a popular given name in Portugal.
61. **Queirós:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
62. **Reis:** Means "kings," possibly indicating a place with a royal connection or someone who was of noble descent.
63. **Ribeiro:** Means "riverbank," indicating someone who lived near a river.
64. **Rodrigues:** Means "son of Rodrigo," a popular given name in Portugal.
65. **Romão:** A given name of Roman origin, possibly meaning "Roman" or "from Rome."
66. **Rosa:** Means "rose," possibly indicating a place known for its roses or someone who was beautiful or elegant.
67. **Santos:** Means "saints," possibly indicating a place with a religious connection or someone who was considered holy.
68. **Sá:** Means "healthy" or "sound," possibly referring to someone who was strong or healthy.
69. **Seixas:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
70. **Silva:** Means "forest" or "woods," indicating someone who lived in a wooded area.
71. **Sousa:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
72. **Teixeira:** Means "weaver," referring to someone who made fabrics or textiles.
73. **Torres:** Means "towers," possibly indicating a place with towers or someone who worked with towers.
74. **Valente:** Means "brave" or "courageous," indicating someone who was strong or fearless.
75. **Vasconcelos:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
76. **Vasco:** A given name of Basque origin, possibly meaning "strong" or "warrior."
77. **Veloso:** Means "hairy" or "woolly," possibly referring to someone who had a distinctive appearance or a place with specific vegetation.
78. **Viana:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
79. **Vieira:** Means "old man," possibly referring to a respected elder or a place with a long history.
80. **Viegas:** Means "son of Viegas," a popular given name in Portugal.
81. **Vilhena:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
82. **Vilela:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.
83. **Vinagre:** Means "vinegar," possibly indicating a place where vinegar was produced or someone who was associated with vinegar production.
84. **Xavier:** A place name, possibly referring to a place with specific geographical features.