Portuguese Last Names: A Guide to Meaning and Origin

Portuguese last names, also known as surnames, are a rich tapestry of history, culture, and linguistic evolution. These names often reflect the ancestry, occupation, or place of origin of their bearers. This comprehensive guide explores the meaning and origin of some of the most common and interesting Portuguese last names, offering insights into the diverse heritage of Portugal and its people.
1. **Almeida:** From the Galician-Portuguese word "almeida," meaning "almond tree" or "almond grove." This name is often associated with the town of Almeida in the district of Guarda, Portugal.
2. **Alves:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Álvaro," meaning "wise guardian" or "battle-ready."
3. **Andrade:** Meaning "river of gold," possibly referring to a place where gold was once mined. This surname is common in Portugal and Brazil.
4. **Antunes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "António," meaning "priceless" or "worthy of praise."
5. **Azevedo:** Originating from the place name "Azevedo," meaning "place of olive trees" or "olive grove."
6. **Baptista:** A surname derived from the given name "Batista," a Portuguese form of "Baptist," referring to John the Baptist.
7. **Barros:** Meaning "mud" or "clay," possibly referring to a location near a swamp or river.
8. **Batista:** A surname derived from the given name "Batista," a Portuguese form of "Baptist," referring to John the Baptist.
9. **Beirão:** A surname originating from the region of Beira in Portugal, meaning "someone from Beira."
10. **Belo:** Meaning "beautiful," possibly referring to a person's physical appearance or a beautiful place.
11. **Bento:** A surname derived from the given name "Bento," meaning "blessed" or "holy."
12. **Bernardo:** A surname derived from the given name "Bernardo," meaning "bold as a bear" or "brave."
13. **Borges:** Possibly derived from the word "borges," meaning "small barrel" or "bucket."
14. **Cabral:** Meaning "goat" or "male goat," possibly referring to a person who raised goats or lived in a place with goats.
15. **Campos:** Meaning "fields" or "farmland," possibly referring to a person who owned or worked in a field.
16. **Cardoso:** Derived from the word "cardoso," meaning "thistle" or "cardoon."
17. **Carvalho:** Meaning "oak tree," possibly referring to a place with oak trees or a person who lived near an oak tree.
18. **Castilho:** Derived from the word "castelo," meaning "castle," possibly referring to a person who lived near a castle or who worked in a castle.
19. **Catarino:** A surname derived from the given name "Catarina," a Portuguese form of "Catherine," meaning "pure" or "clear."
20. **Cavalcante:** Meaning "horse rider" or "knight," possibly referring to a person who was a skilled horseman.
21. **Chaves:** Meaning "keys," possibly referring to a person who worked as a locksmith or who owned a key-making business.
22. **Coelho:** Meaning "rabbit," possibly referring to a person who raised rabbits or lived in a place with rabbits.
23. **Costa:** Meaning "coast," "shoreline," or "rib," possibly referring to a person who lived near the coast.
24. **Correia:** Meaning "leather strap" or "belt," possibly referring to a person who worked with leather or who wore a belt.
25. **Cruz:** Meaning "cross," possibly referring to a person who worked as a carpenter or who lived near a crossroads.
26. **Dias:** A surname derived from the given name "Diogo," meaning "brave" or "strong warrior."
27. **Duarte:** A surname derived from the given name "Duarte," meaning "rich" or "powerful."
28. **Fernandes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Fernando," meaning "brave traveler" or "adventurous."
29. **Figueiredo:** Derived from the word "figueira," meaning "fig tree," possibly referring to a person who lived near a fig tree or who cultivated fig trees.
30. **Fonseca:** Meaning "spring" or "fountain," possibly referring to a place with a spring or fountain.
31. **Ferreira:** Meaning "blacksmith" or "ironworker," possibly referring to a person who worked as a blacksmith.
32. **Gomes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Gomes," a Portuguese form of "Godfrey," meaning "peace" or "peace warrior."
33. **Gonçalves:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Gonçalo," meaning "war" or "battle."
34. **Gomes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Gomes," a Portuguese form of "Godfrey," meaning "peace" or "peace warrior."
35. **Guedes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Guedes," a Portuguese form of "Godfrey," meaning "peace" or "peace warrior."
36. **Henriques:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Henrique," a Portuguese form of "Henry," meaning "ruler of the house" or "home ruler."
37. **Jesus:** A surname derived from the given name "Jesus," referring to the figure of Jesus Christ.
38. **Lopes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Lourenço," meaning "laurel" or "bay tree."
39. **Machado:** Meaning "axe," possibly referring to a person who worked as a woodcutter or who carried an axe.
40. **Magalhães:** Originating from the place name "Magalhães," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near the town of Magalhães.
41. **Marques:** A surname derived from the given name "Marquês," meaning "marquis" or "nobleman."
42. **Martins:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Martinho," a Portuguese form of "Martin," meaning "war-like" or "devoted to Mars."
43. **Matos:** Meaning "bushes" or "shrubbery," possibly referring to a place with bushes or a person who lived near bushes.
44. **Melo:** Meaning "apple" or "apple tree," possibly referring to a person who owned or worked with apple trees.
45. **Mendes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Mendes," meaning "defender" or "protector."
46. **Monteiro:** Meaning "mountaineer" or "hunter," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near a mountain.
47. **Moreira:** Meaning "mulberry tree," possibly referring to a person who lived near a mulberry tree or who cultivated mulberry trees.
48. **Morais:** Meaning "moorland" or "heath," possibly referring to a place with moorland or a person who lived in a place with moorland.
49. **Nunes:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Nuno," meaning "ninth" or "ninth child."
50. **Oliveira:** Meaning "olive tree," possibly referring to a person who lived near an olive tree or who cultivated olive trees.
51. **Pacheco:** Meaning "little shepherd," possibly referring to a person who worked as a shepherd.
52. **Pereira:** Meaning "pear tree," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pear tree or who cultivated pear trees.
53. **Pinheiro:** Meaning "pine tree," possibly referring to a person who lived near a pine tree or who cultivated pine trees.
54. **Queiroz:** Meaning "cheesemaker," possibly referring to a person who made cheese.
55. **Ramos:** Meaning "branches" or "twigs," possibly referring to a place with many branches or a person who lived near a place with branches.
56. **Reis:** Meaning "kings," possibly referring to a person who was descended from royalty or who worked for the king.
57. **Ribeiro:** Meaning "riverbank," possibly referring to a person who lived near a river or who worked with rivers.
58. **Rodrigues:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Rodrigo," meaning "famous ruler" or "powerful ruler."
59. **Rosa:** Meaning "rose," possibly referring to a person who lived near a rose garden or who cultivated roses.
60. **Santos:** Meaning "saints," possibly referring to a person who was named after a saint or who lived near a church.
61. **Silva:** Meaning "forest" or "woodland," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near a forest.
62. **Soares:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Soares," a Portuguese form of "Soares," meaning "high" or "noble."
63. **Sousa:** Meaning "underneath" or "beneath," possibly referring to a place that was below something else.
64. **Teixeira:** Meaning "weaver," possibly referring to a person who worked as a weaver.
65. **Torres:** Meaning "towers," possibly referring to a person who lived near a tower or who worked in a tower.
66. **Valente:** Meaning "brave" or "courageous," possibly referring to a person who was known for their bravery.
67. **Vasconcelos:** Originating from the place name "Vasconcelos," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near the town of Vasconcelos.
68. **Vasco:** A surname derived from the given name "Vasco," meaning "man" or "warrior."
69. **Vieira:** Meaning "old man," possibly referring to a person who was respected for their age or wisdom.
70. **Vilela:** Originating from the place name "Vilela," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near the town of Vilela.
71. **Vitorino:** A surname derived from the given name "Victorino," meaning "victorious" or "conqueror."
72. **Xavier:** Originating from the place name "Xavier," possibly referring to a person who lived in or near the town of Xavier.