Brazil Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames

Discover the rich tapestry of Brazilian last names, a reflection of the country's diverse heritage. From Portuguese roots to indigenous and African influences, these surnames tell captivating stories of ancestry and cultural exchange. Explore this comprehensive list to delve into the meanings and origins of some of the most popular Brazilian last names. Get ready to unravel the fascinating history woven into each unique surname.
1. **Almeida:** From the Portuguese "al-meid," meaning "high meadow" or "high field."
2. **Alves:** A common Portuguese surname, derived from the given name "Álvaro," which means "noble guardian" or "wise ruler."
3. **Andrade:** From the Portuguese "andrade," meaning "land of gold" or "golden land."
4. **Araujo:** A Portuguese surname with origins in the town of Arão in Portugal, possibly meaning "one who is from Arão."
5. **Barbosa:** Derived from the Portuguese word "barba," meaning "beard."
6. **Barros:** A Portuguese surname that means "marshes" or "swamps."
7. **Bezerra:** A Portuguese surname that means "little goat" or "kid."
8. **Brito:** A Portuguese surname meaning "from Brittany" (in France).
9. **Campos:** A Portuguese surname meaning "fields" or "plains."
10. **Cardoso:** From the Portuguese "cardoso," meaning "thistle" or "artichoke."
11. **Carvalho:** Derived from the Portuguese word "carvalho," meaning "oak tree."
12. **Castilho:** A Portuguese surname meaning "castle."
13. **Castro:** A Portuguese surname meaning "castle" or "fort."
14. **Cavalcanti:** A Portuguese surname that means "knight who rides a horse" or "horseman."
15. **Costa:** From the Portuguese "costa," meaning "coast" or "shore."
16. **Cunha:** A Portuguese surname meaning "wedge" or "corner."
17. **Dantas:** A Portuguese surname meaning "wild boar" or "pig."
18. **Dias:** A Portuguese surname meaning "days" or "time."
19. **Fernandes:** A Portuguese surname derived from the given name "Fernando," which means "brave traveler" or "bold explorer."
20. **Ferreira:** A Portuguese surname meaning "iron worker" or "blacksmith."
21. **Figueiredo:** From the Portuguese "figueira," meaning "fig tree."
22. **Fonseca:** A Portuguese surname meaning "fountain" or "spring."
23. **Freire:** A Portuguese surname meaning "brother" or "monk."
24. **Galvão:** A Portuguese surname meaning "gallant" or "brave."
25. **Garcia:** A Portuguese surname meaning "bear" or "wolf."
26. **Gomes:** A Portuguese surname derived from the given name "Gomes," which means "son of Gomes."
27. **Gonçalves:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Gonçalo," a common Portuguese given name.
28. **Guimarães:** A Portuguese surname derived from the town of Guimarães in Portugal.
29. **Lima:** A Portuguese surname meaning "lemon" or "lime."
30. **Lopes:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Lopes."
31. **Machado:** From the Portuguese "machado," meaning "axe" or "pickaxe."
32. **Magalhães:** A Portuguese surname that means "people from the land of Magalha."
33. **Marques:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Marcos."
34. **Martins:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Martin."
35. **Melo:** A Portuguese surname meaning "apple" or "fruit."
36. **Mendes:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Mendes."
37. **Monteiro:** A Portuguese surname meaning "mountaineer" or "hunter."
38. **Moraes:** A Portuguese surname meaning "dweller of the Moorish land" or "Moorish resident."
39. **Moreira:** A Portuguese surname meaning "blackberry" or "mulberry."
40. **Nogueira:** From the Portuguese "nogueira," meaning "walnut tree."
41. **Oliveira:** From the Portuguese "oliveira," meaning "olive tree."
42. **Pacheco:** A Portuguese surname meaning "peace" or "tranquility."
43. **Paiva:** A Portuguese surname meaning "birch tree" or "alder tree."
44. **Pereira:** A Portuguese surname meaning "pear tree."
45. **Pinheiro:** From the Portuguese "pinheiro," meaning "pine tree."
46. **Queiroz:** A Portuguese surname meaning "cheese."
47. **Ramos:** A Portuguese surname meaning "branches" or "twigs."
48. **Reis:** A Portuguese surname meaning "kings."
49. **Ribeiro:** From the Portuguese "ribeiro," meaning "riverbank" or "stream."
50. **Rodrigues:** A Portuguese surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."
51. **Santos:** A Portuguese surname meaning "saints."
52. **Silva:** From the Portuguese "silva," meaning "woods" or "forest."
53. **Sousa:** A Portuguese surname meaning "pig" or "hog."
54. **Teixeira:** A Portuguese surname meaning "weaver" or "textile worker."
55. **Torres:** A Portuguese surname meaning "towers" or "castles."
56. **Valente:** A Portuguese surname meaning "brave" or "courageous."
57. **Vasconcelos:** A Portuguese surname meaning "valley of the bells" or "bell valley."
58. **Viana:** A Portuguese surname derived from the town of Viana in Portugal.
59. **Vieira:** A Portuguese surname meaning "old man" or "elder."
60. **Vilela:** A Portuguese surname that means "place where wild vines grow."