Common Brazilian Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the most frequent surnames in Brazil? This comprehensive list explores the origins and meanings of common Brazilian last names. From Portuguese heritage to indigenous influences, we delve into the rich tapestry of Brazilian surnames, providing insights into their cultural significance and historical context.
1. **Silva:** Derived from the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest" or "wood," this surname is the most common in Brazil, reflecting the country's vast forested landscapes.
2. **Santos:** Meaning "saints" in Portuguese, this name is associated with religious devotion and reverence for holy figures.
3. **Oliveira:** Originating from the Portuguese word "oliveira," referring to the olive tree, this surname evokes themes of peace, prosperity, and abundance.
4. **Souza:** A common surname in Portugal and Brazil, Souza likely stems from the place name "Sousa," which may have referred to a rocky or stony place.
5. **Pereira:** This surname, meaning "pear tree" in Portuguese, reflects the importance of fruit-bearing trees in the country's history and culture.
6. **Almeida:** Derived from the Germanic name "Almund," meaning "all-mighty," this surname suggests strength, power, and protection.
7. **Fernandes:** Meaning "son of Fernando," this surname is a patronymic, indicating descent from a person named Fernando.
8. **Costa:** Originating from the Portuguese word "costa," meaning "coast" or "shoreline," this surname reflects Brazil's extensive coastline and maritime heritage.
9. **Rodrigues:** A patronymic surname, Rodrigues means "son of Rodrigo," and highlights the importance of lineage and family ties in Brazilian culture.
10. **Gomes:** Derived from the Germanic name "Gomo," meaning "man" or "warrior," this surname suggests strength, courage, and resilience.
11. **Martins:** Meaning "son of Martin," this patronymic surname is a common one in both Portugal and Brazil.
12. **Dias:** A surname that signifies "days" or "time," Dias underscores the passage of time and the enduring nature of life.
13. **Nascimento:** Meaning "birth" in Portuguese, Nascimento celebrates the arrival of new life and the cycle of existence.
14. **Cardoso:** Originating from the Portuguese word "cardoso," meaning "thistle," this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near thistle plants.
15. **Carvalho:** Derived from the Portuguese word "carvalho," meaning "oak tree," this surname symbolizes strength, resilience, and longevity.
16. **Mendes:** A patronymic surname, Mendes means "son of Mendes," and is a common name in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
17. **Ribeiro:** Originating from the Portuguese word "ribeiro," meaning "brook" or "stream," this surname suggests the presence of water, a vital resource in Brazil.
18. **Alves:** A patronymic surname, Alves means "son of Álvares," and is widely distributed throughout Brazil.
19. **Gonçalves:** Meaning "son of Gonçalo," this patronymic surname reflects the historical importance of the given name Gonçalo in Portugal and Brazil.
20. **Lopes:** Derived from the Portuguese word "lobo," meaning "wolf," this surname evokes themes of strength, cunning, and independence.
21. **Ramos:** Meaning "branches" or "twigs" in Portuguese, this surname suggests growth, expansion, and the interconnectedness of life.
22. **Lima:** Originating from the Portuguese word "lima," meaning "lime tree," this surname is associated with citrus fruits, a key part of Brazilian cuisine and culture.
23. **Reis:** Meaning "kings" in Portuguese, this surname signifies power, authority, and leadership.
24. **Santos:** A common surname in Brazil, Santos often refers to individuals who were born or lived near a church or holy place.
25. **Vieira:** Derived from the Portuguese word "vieira," meaning "scallop," this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near a scallop shell or who worked with them.
26. **Barbosa:** Meaning "bearded" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to describe individuals with prominent facial hair.
27. **Ferreira:** Originating from the Portuguese word "ferreiro," meaning "blacksmith," this surname reflects the historical importance of blacksmiths in Brazil.
28. **Ferreira:** Meaning "son of Fernando," this surname is a patronymic, indicating descent from a person named Fernando.
29. **Silveira:** A variant of the surname Silva, Silveira may refer to a place where olive trees grow.
30. **Monteiro:** Meaning "mountaineer" in Portuguese, Monteiro suggests a connection to mountainous regions or a way of life that involves climbing or traveling in the mountains.
31. **Cavalcante:** Derived from the Portuguese word "cavaleiro," meaning "knight," this surname implies strength, courage, and nobility.
32. **Antunes:** A patronymic surname, Antunes means "son of Antão" or "son of Antony."
33. **Freitas:** Meaning "brothers" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who were related or who lived in a community of brothers.
34. **Borges:** Originating from the Portuguese word "borges," meaning "a place with many vines," this surname suggests a connection to vineyards or a region known for its wine production.
35. **Figueiredo:** Derived from the Portuguese word "figueira," meaning "fig tree," this surname evokes the abundance of fruit-bearing trees in Brazil.
36. **Araújo:** Originating from the Portuguese word "araucária," referring to a type of pine tree, this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near or worked with araucária trees.
37. **Correia:** Meaning "leather strap" or "belt" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to describe individuals who were involved in the leather trade or who wore distinctive belts.
38. **Lacerda:** Derived from the Portuguese word "lacerda," meaning "lizard," this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near lizards or who worked with them.
39. **Guimarães:** Originating from the Portuguese city of Guimarães, this surname suggests a connection to this city or its surrounding region.
40. **Machado:** Meaning "axe" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to describe individuals who worked as wood cutters or who carried axes.
41. **Teixeira:** Derived from the Portuguese word "teixeiro," meaning "weaver," this surname reflects the historical importance of weaving in Brazil.
42. **Moura:** Originating from the Portuguese word "moura," meaning "Moorish woman," this surname may have been used to describe individuals of Moorish descent or those who had lived in Moorish regions.
43. **Castro:** Meaning "castle" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to a fortified place or a lineage that was associated with castles.
44. **Sousa:** Originating from the Portuguese place name Sousa, this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near this place.
45. **Fonseca:** Derived from the Portuguese word "fonseca," meaning "spring" or "fountain," this surname suggests the presence of water and its importance in Brazilian life.
46. **Queiroz:** Meaning "cheese" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to describe individuals who made or sold cheese or those who lived near a cheese production area.
47. **Macedo:** Originating from the Portuguese word "macedo," meaning "apple tree," this surname suggests a connection to apple orchards or a region known for its apple production.
48. **Moreira:** Meaning "mulberry tree" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to mulberry trees or a region known for its mulberry production.
49. **Azevedo:** Derived from the Portuguese word "azevedo," meaning "olive grove," this surname suggests a connection to olive trees or a region known for its olive oil production.
50. **Marques:** A patronymic surname, Marques means "son of Marçal," and is a common name in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
51. **Pinheiro:** Meaning "pine tree" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to pine forests or a region known for its pine trees.
52. **Viana:** Originating from the Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo, this surname suggests a connection to this city or its surrounding region.
53. **Albuquerque:** Derived from the Arabic name "al-Bakr," meaning "the cow," this surname suggests a connection to cattle raising or a region known for its cattle herds.
54. **Nogueira:** Meaning "walnut tree" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to walnut trees or a region known for its walnut production.
55. **Martins:** Meaning "son of Martin," this surname is a patronymic, indicating descent from a person named Martin.
56. **Andrade:** Originating from the Portuguese word "andrade," meaning "a place where the river widens," this surname suggests a connection to a river or a region with a wide river.
57. **Barros:** Meaning "mud" or "clay" in Portuguese, this surname may have been used to describe individuals who lived near muddy areas or who worked with clay.
58. **Melo:** Derived from the Portuguese word "melo," meaning "melon," this surname suggests a connection to melon production or a region known for its melons.
59. **Carvalho:** Originating from the Portuguese word "carvalho," meaning "oak tree," this surname suggests a connection to oak forests or a region known for its oak trees.
60. **Campos:** Meaning "fields" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to agricultural areas or a region known for its fields.
61. **Lopes:** Derived from the Portuguese word "lobo," meaning "wolf," this surname suggests a connection to wolves or a region known for its wolf population.
62. **Faria:** Meaning "wheat field" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to wheat farming or a region known for its wheat production.
63. **Alves:** A patronymic surname, Alves means "son of Álvares," and is widely distributed throughout Brazil.
64. **Pereira:** Meaning "pear tree" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to pear orchards or a region known for its pear production.
65. **Costa:** Originating from the Portuguese word "costa," meaning "coast" or "shoreline," this surname suggests a connection to coastal areas or a region known for its beaches.
66. **Oliveira:** Derived from the Portuguese word "oliveira," meaning "olive tree," this surname suggests a connection to olive trees or a region known for its olive oil production.
67. **Santos:** Meaning "saints" in Portuguese, this surname suggests a connection to religious institutions or a region known for its saints.
68. **Silva:** Originating from the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest" or "wood," this surname suggests a connection to forested areas or a region known for its woods.
69. **Sousa:** Originating from the Portuguese place name Sousa, this surname may have been used to distinguish individuals who lived near this place.
70. **Lima:** Originating from the Portuguese word "lima," meaning "lime tree," this surname suggests a connection to lime trees or a region known for its lime production.
71. **Ribeiro:** Originating from the Portuguese word "ribeiro," meaning "brook" or "stream," this surname suggests a connection to waterways or a region known for its rivers and streams.
72. **Rodrigues:** A patronymic surname, Rodrigues means "son of Rodrigo," and is a common name in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
73. **Fernandes:** Meaning "son of Fernando," this surname is a patronymic, indicating descent from a person named Fernando.
74. **Almeida:** Derived from the Germanic name "Almund," meaning "all-mighty," this surname suggests strength, power, and protection.
75. **Souza:** A common surname in Portugal and Brazil, Souza likely stems from the place name "Sousa," which may have referred to a rocky or stony place.
76. **Pereira:** This surname, meaning "pear tree" in Portuguese, reflects the importance of fruit-bearing trees in the country's history and culture.
77. **Oliveira:** Originating from the Portuguese word "oliveira," referring to the olive tree, this surname evokes themes of peace, prosperity, and abundance.
78. **Santos:** Meaning "saints" in Portuguese, this name is associated with religious devotion and reverence for holy figures.
79. **Silva:** Derived from the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest" or "wood," this surname is the most common in Brazil, reflecting the country's vast forested landscapes.