Education
A Complete List of Portuguese Last Names & Meanings
Portuguese surnames often reflect family history, occupation, or place of origin. Here’s a selection of common Portuguese last names and their meanings:
- Silva: “Forest” or “woodland”
- Santos: “Saints”
- Ferreira: “Blacksmith”
- Pereira: “Pear tree”
- Oliveira: “Olive tree”
- Costa: “Coast”
- Rodrigues: “Son of Rodrigo”
- Martins: “Son of Martin”
- Jesus: Religious reference
- Sousa/Souza: Place name meaning “willow grove”
- Fernandes: “Son of Fernando”
- Gonçalves: “Son of Gonçalo”
- Alves: “Son of Álvaro”
- Almeida: Place name meaning “the table” (flat land)
- Ribeiro: “Stream” or “brook”
These names reflect Portugal’s rich history, including its Catholic heritage, agricultural roots, and patronymic naming traditions. Many Portuguese surnames are shared with Brazilian families due to colonial history.