Portuguese Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Discovering the rich history and cultural tapestry of Portugal often involves delving into the intriguing world of Portuguese last names. These names, passed down through generations, hold valuable clues about ancestral origins, family traditions, and even personality traits. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of popular Portuguese last names, exploring their diverse meanings and origins. Whether you're researching your own family history or simply fascinated by the linguistic nuances of Portuguese surnames, this list will offer insights into the fascinating world of Portuguese names.
1. **Almeida:** From the Germanic elements "alm" (elm tree) and "heid" (heath), meaning "elm heath."
2. **Alves:** From the Germanic name "Albus," meaning "white."
3. **Amorim:** From the Latin word "amurium," meaning "love."
4. **Andrade:** From the Germanic elements "andra" (man) and "rad" (advice), meaning "man's advice."
5. **Antunes:** From the Latin name "Antonius," meaning "priceless."
6. **Azevedo:** From the Arabic word "al-azad," meaning "the free one."
7. **Baptista:** From the Greek name "Baptistes," meaning "one who baptizes."
8. **Barros:** From the Portuguese word "barro," meaning "clay."
9. **Batista:** From the Greek name "Baptistes," meaning "one who baptizes."
10. **Bezerra:** From the Portuguese word "bezerro," meaning "calf."
11. **Braga:** From the city of Braga in Portugal, known for its Roman heritage.
12. **Brandão:** From the Portuguese word "brandão," meaning "a type of fish."
13. **Carvalho:** From the Portuguese word "carvalho," meaning "oak tree."
14. **Castro:** From the Latin word "castrum," meaning "fort."
15. **Coelho:** From the Portuguese word "coelho," meaning "rabbit."
16. **Costa:** From the Portuguese word "costa," meaning "coast."
17. **Correia:** From the Latin word "corrigere," meaning "to correct."
18. **Coutinho:** From the Portuguese word "coito," meaning "bed."
19. **Cruz:** From the Portuguese word "cruz," meaning "cross."
20. **Dias:** From the Portuguese word "dia," meaning "day."
21. **Domingues:** From the Latin name "Dominicus," meaning "belonging to the Lord."
22. **Fernandes:** From the Germanic name "Ferdinand," meaning "brave and peaceful."
23. **Figueiredo:** From the Portuguese word "figueira," meaning "fig tree."
24. **Ferreira:** From the Portuguese word "ferreiro," meaning "blacksmith."
25. **Fonseca:** From the Latin word "fons," meaning "fountain."
26. **Gomes:** From the Germanic name "Gomo," meaning "man."
27. **Gonçalves:** From the Germanic name "Gunther," meaning "war-bold."
28. **Guerra:** From the Portuguese word "guerra," meaning "war."
29. **Lima:** From the Portuguese word "lima," meaning "lime tree."
30. **Lopes:** From the Germanic name "Lupus," meaning "wolf."
31. **Machado:** From the Portuguese word "machado," meaning "axe."
32. **Magalhães:** From the Portuguese word "magalhã," meaning "a type of shrub."
33. **Marques:** From the Latin word "marchio," meaning "border lord."
34. **Martins:** From the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "war-like."
35. **Mendes:** From the Germanic name "Mando," meaning "protector."
36. **Miranda:** From the Latin word "miranda," meaning "wonderful."
37. **Monteiro:** From the Portuguese word "monte," meaning "mountain."
38. **Morais:** From the Portuguese word "mora," meaning "blackberry."
39. **Nunes:** From the Latin name "Nuntius," meaning "messenger."
40. **Oliveira:** From the Portuguese word "oliveira," meaning "olive tree."
41. **Pacheco:** From the Portuguese word "pacho," meaning "a type of fish."
42. **Pereira:** From the Portuguese word "pereira," meaning "pear tree."
43. **Pinheiro:** From the Portuguese word "pinheiro," meaning "pine tree."
44. **Queiroz:** From the Portuguese word "queiro," meaning "cheese."
45. **Reis:** From the Portuguese word "rei," meaning "king."
46. **Rodrigues:** From the Germanic name "Rodrigo," meaning "famous ruler."
47. **Santos:** From the Portuguese word "santo," meaning "saint."
48. **Silva:** From the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest."
49. **Soares:** From the Germanic name "Sohr," meaning "care."
50. **Sousa:** From the Portuguese word "sousa," meaning "a type of fish."
51. **Teixeira:** From the Portuguese word "teixo," meaning "yew tree."
52. **Torres:** From the Portuguese word "torre," meaning "tower."
53. **Valente:** From the Portuguese word "valente," meaning "brave."
54. **Vasconcelos:** From the Portuguese word "vasco," meaning "a type of plant."
55. **Viana:** From the city of Viana do Castelo in Portugal.
56. **Vieira:** From the Portuguese word "vieira," meaning "scallop."
57. **Vilas Boas:** From the Portuguese words "vila" (village) and "boa" (good), meaning "good village."
58. **Vitorino:** From the Latin name "Victorinus," meaning "victorious."
59. **Xavier:** From the Spanish word "Javier," meaning "new house."
60. **Zarco:** From the Portuguese word "zarco," meaning "blue."