Look to the oldest country in Europe for inspiration when choosing a special surname or last name for your child.
In Portugal, many surname or last names come from the jobs or social status of someone’s ancestors. People in Portugal usually have two last names, one from their mother and one from their father. The father’s name is usually added to the person’s first name, while the mother’s name is not often used alone. Most Portuguese surname or last names end in ‘-es’ and include words like ‘do,’ ‘dos,’ and ‘da,’ which mean ‘of the.’
Portuguese is spoken in Portugal, South America, and Africa as an official language. As a result, it is common for people in these areas to have Portuguese family names. These countries include Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, and Cape Verde.
This post is a collection of Portuguese last names along with their meanings and where they come from.
Popular Portuguese Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings
- Abreu
This surname is popular among Portuguese and those with Sephardic Jewish ancestors. It may also come from ‘Abraao,’ the Portuguese version of ‘Abraham.’
- Afonso
The surname ‘Alfonso’ in Portuguese comes from an old German name ‘Adelfonsus’ which means a mix of ‘noble’ and ‘ready’.
- Almada
Almada is a Portuguese surname given to someone who lived in a place called Almada in Portugal. This last name comes from the Arabic word ‘almadena’ which means ‘ore mine.’
- Almeida
It is a surname that comes from a town called Almeida in Portugal. The name is thought to come from the Arabic words ‘al maidah’, which means ‘plateau’ or ‘table-top.’ Another possible origin of the name is the Arabic phrase ‘al madina’, which means ‘the city.’
- Alto
The surname ‘Alto’ is the Portuguese translation for the word ‘tall.’ This last name probably started off as a nickname for a man of great height or size.
- Avila
It is a different form of the Portuguese surname ‘Davila.’ In Portuguese, the name ‘Davila’ is spelled as ‘da vila’ or ‘d’vila’ and it signifies ‘from a village’ or ‘from a town.’
- Barbas
The surname Barbas comes from the Latin word ‘barba’ which means ‘beard.’ It was probably used as a nickname for someone with a beard.
- Barboza
An alternative version of the surname ‘Barbosa’ is ‘Barboso.’ This name comes from the Portuguese words ‘barba,’ which refers to a plant, and ‘-oso,’ which means a place where that plant is abundant.
- Baros
The surname Baros is used to refer to someone from one of the places called Barros in Portugal. This name originates from the Portuguese word ‘barro’, which translates to ‘clay’ or ‘loam’.
- Belo
The surname is Portuguese and means ‘beautiful’ or ‘handsome.’ It was probably first used as a nickname for someone attractive.
- Bomba
The surname Bomba is Portuguese and means ‘bomb.’ It could have been a surname for someone who handled explosives. It may have also been a nickname for someone known for having a quick temper.
- Borges
It is probably a surname that comes from the city of Bourges in France. The name might also come from the Middle English term ‘burge’ which means ‘freeman’ or ‘someone who lives in a fortified town.’
- Braga
This surname refers to someone from the city of Braga in northern Portugal. Braga was an important city during Roman rule.
- Cabral
This surname comes from the Latin word ‘capralis,’ which means ‘a place for goats.’ The name ‘capralis’ is derived from the Latin word ‘capra,’ which refers to goats.
- Cardoso
The surname comes from the Portuguese word ‘Cardo,’ which means Cardoon plant or Artichoke Thistle. This is probably a name given to someone who lived near a plantation of Cardoon plants.
- Castro
The surname comes from the Latin term ‘castrum’ which means ‘castle,’ ‘camp,’ or ‘fortification.’ This last name probably described a person who lived close to a castle.
- Coelho
The surname coelho is Portuguese for a rabbit. This last name probably originated as a nickname or job title for someone who sold or hunted rabbits.
- Coval
It is a surname based on a specific location in Portugal called ‘Coval.’ This last name originates from the Portuguese word ‘cova’ which means ‘hollow’ or ‘pit.’
- Cuba
The surname Cuba is a toponymic term used for people from various places in Portugal called Cuba. This last name comes from the Latin word ‘cupa,’ which means ‘barrel.’
- Curro
People from different places in Portugal and Galicia are referred to as these people. The surname is believed to mean a ‘fold’ or a ‘graft’ in Portuguese.
- Da Costa
This surname is another way of saying Costa, which translates to ‘coast’ in Portuguese. The name includes the word ‘da’ which means ‘of the’ or ‘from the’. The name was originally used to describe people who lived near a river, on a hill, or by the sea.
- Da Cruz
This surname comes from the Portuguese name ‘Cruz,’ which translates to ‘cross.’ The name includes the word ‘da,’ which means ‘of the’ or ‘from the.’
- Delgado
The surname in Portuguese that means ‘slender’ or ‘thin’ was likely used as a nickname for people who were thin.
- Dos Santos
The surname Santos comes from the Portuguese translation of ‘of the saints.’ It could have originally referred to people born or baptized on All Saints’ Day.
- Diniz
The surname ‘Diniz’ is a variation of ‘Denis’ and comes from Ancient Greek, where it means ‘someone who follows Zeus.’
- Espindola
The origin of this last name is unknown, but it is thought to be a name based on a place brought to Portugal by people who moved from Genoa, Italy.
- Facundo
The surname comes from the first name ‘Facundus,’ which means ‘eloquent,’ ‘fluent,’ or ‘talkative’ in Latin.
- Faria
The surname Faria comes from places in Portugal called Faria.
- Farinha
The surname Farinha is used in Portuguese to mean ‘flour.’ It is a term for a person who was involved in the milling or selling of flour.
- Fernandes
The origin of the surname comes from ‘Fernando,’ which is derived from the name ‘Ferdinand.’ ‘Ferdinand’ is made up of Old German terms ‘fardi’ for ‘journey’ and ‘nand’ for ‘brave.’
- Ferra
The surname comes from Portuguese and means ‘to put shoes on,’ specifically for horses.
- Ferreira
This last name is for someone who used to live close to a place where iron was mined. This last name comes from the Latin word ‘ferrum,’ which means ‘iron.’
- Fonseca
This surname refers to a person who used to live close to a dry spring. The name comes from the Latin words ‘fons’ which means ‘spring’ or ‘well,’ and ‘siccus’ which means ‘dry.’
- Freitas
The surname Freitas is a term used to describe people who come from a place called Freitas in Portugal. In Portuguese, this last name translates to ‘broken stones’ or ‘broken ground.’
- Gaia
The surname is based on the name of a place in Portugal called Gaia, specifically Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Gale
The surname Gale in Portuguese means a type of warship called a galley or galleon. This surname is given to people who worked as shipbuilders or sailors.
- Galioto
Galiote is a different way to spell a word that means ‘pirate’ or ‘corsair’ in Portuguese.
- Gandara
It is a last name based on the name of various places called Gandara in Portugal. The name probably means ‘a place with little vegetation’ or ‘arid sandy land.’
- Grace
The surname is of Portuguese origin and it means ‘grace’ or ‘mercy.’ It is a shortened version of the religious title ‘da Graca’ which translates to ‘of mercy.’
- Guerreiro
The surname ‘Guerreiro’ in Portuguese translates to a ‘warrior’ or a ‘soldier.’ This name is believed to have been given to individuals who were either brave or aggressive.
- Henriques
It is a surname that comes from a family tradition, meaning ‘son of Henrique.’ The name ‘Henrique’ is the Portuguese version of ‘Henry,’ which originated from the Old German name ‘Heimirich’ that translates to ‘home ruler.’
- Janota
In Portuguese, this surname means something that is fashionable, stylish, or very elegant.
- Jeronimo
The last name comes from the first name ‘Jerome,’ which originated from the Greek name ‘Hieronymos’ that means ‘sacred name.’
- Joaquim
The surname ‘Joaquim’ originated from Hebrew and means ‘granted by God.’
- Judice
The surname ‘Judice’ probably comes from Latin and translates to ‘judge’ or ‘to judge.’
- Junior
The surname ‘Junior’ originates from the Latin word that means ‘younger’ or ‘the young one.’
- Lacerda
The surname ‘Lacerda’ comes from a Portuguese term ‘la cerda,’ which translates to ‘the locks of hair.’ This last name was probably used as a nickname for people with long or thick hair, or those who have a hairy chest or back.
- Lage
The surname ‘Lage’ is used for someone from various places in Portugal. It probably comes from the Portuguese and Galician words for ‘slab of stone’ or ‘flat rock.’
- Lapa
A Lapa is a surname for someone from various places in Portugal. The word ‘Lapa’ is believed to mean ‘cavern’ in Portuguese.’
- Leite
In Portuguese the surname ‘leite’ means ‘milk.’ This last name in Portuguese was probably given as a nickname to someone with a fair complexion.
- Lessa
Lessa is a different way to spell the name of several locations in Portugal.
- Lima
The surname is based on the name of a specific place where people lived near the Lima River in Portugal.
- Lomba
The surname Lomba is used for someone from a place named Lomba in Portugal. Lomba means ‘mountain ridge’ in Portuguese and could be a reference to where someone lived.
- Lopes
It is a surname that means ‘son of Lope.’ The name ‘Lope’ originates from the Latin word ‘lupus,’ which translates to ‘wolf.’
- Loureiro
This surname originates from the Portuguese name ‘loureiro,’ which is associated with the Laurel Tree. The name is based on the location of someone who resided near laurel trees.
- Louro
The surname in Portuguese means ‘blonde.’ This last name would have been used to describe individuals with blonde or light chestnut hair.
- Lucio
It is a last name that comes from the Latin name ‘Lucius’, which means ‘light’.
- Machado
It is the Portuguese surname used for a tool called an ‘axe’ or ‘hatchet’. It is a name given to someone based on their job of making or using hatchets.
- Madeira
The Portuguese surname for ‘wood’ or ‘timber’ is used as a surname for someone who worked as a carpenter.
- Magalhaes
This last name is used to describe someone who is from one of the places called Magalhaes in Portugal.
- Magro
The last name in Portuguese means ‘thin’ probably was used as a nickname for people who have a slim and lean personality.
- Mata
The Portuguese surname for woods, thicket, or forest is a place name that probably described people who lived near the forest.
- Medeiros
The surname Medeiros comes from Portugal and can refer to someone from multiple places named ‘Medeiros’. In Portuguese, the name means ‘haystack’ or a ‘stack of sheaves’.
- Naves
The surname Naves is used to refer to someone who is from one of the many places in Portugal called Naves.
- Nazario
This surname comes from the Latin name ‘Nazarius’, which means ‘of Nazareth.’ Nazareth is a city in Israel.
- Nobriga
It is a changed version of the name ‘Nobrega,’ which is used for several locations in Portugal.
- Nora
This surname describes a person from a specific place known as ‘Nora’ in Portugal.
- Noronha
The surname ‘Noronha’ comes from ‘Norena’, which is a toponymic name indicating people from the town of Norena in Spain.
- Novo
The surname in Portuguese, Novo, may have been adopted as a nickname and later became a family name.
- Oliveira
The surname is used for people from any of the various places named Oliveira in Portugal. In Portuguese, the word ‘Oliveira’ means ‘olive tree.’
- Orta
The surname comes from Portuguese and means ‘kitchen garden’ or ‘vegetable garden.’
- Pao
The surname ‘Pao’ in Portuguese means ‘bread’ and it is commonly used as a name for someone who works as a baker.
- Paredes
The surname ‘Paredes’ is the plural form of the Portuguese word ‘parede,’ which translates to ‘wall.’ The name might have originated from someone who lived near a wall.
- Paula
The surname ‘Paul’ when used for a female comes from the Latin word ‘paulus,’ which means ‘little,’ ‘small,’ or ‘humble.’
- Pereira
The fancy surname Pereira means ‘pear tree’ in Portuguese. It might have also been a job-related surname for someone who sold pears or other fruits.
- Pestana
This surname in Portuguese means ‘eyelash.’ It may have been used as a nickname for someone who has thick or long eyelashes.
- Pimenta
The surname ‘Pimenta’ in Portuguese is probably a name for someone who used to sell or cultivate red peppers.
- Pinheiro
This surname means ‘pine tree’ in Portuguese and may have been used to describe someone who lived near a pine forest.
- Pinho
It is a surname that refers to someone from one of the places called Pinho in Portugal. The word Pinho means ‘pine’ or ‘pine wood’ in Portuguese.
- Quintal
Quintal is the surname in Portuguese that means ‘backyard’ or ‘vegetable garden.’ It’s possible that the name was inspired by a specific location.
- Ribeiro
In Portuguese, the surname ‘Ribeiro’ means a small river or stream, and it could indicate that someone with this last name lived nearby.
- Rivers
This surname means ‘rivers’ in Portuguese language.
- Rocha
This last name refers to the Portuguese word for ‘rock’.
- Santa
This surname is likely from places called Santa in Portugal and means ‘a female saint’ in Portuguese.
- Sarmento
In Portuguese, this surname means ‘vine shoot,’ and it was probably used as a nickname for people who were tall and thin.
- Sequeira
The last name Sequeira is used to refer to someone from various places called Sequeira in Portugal. This surname is believed to translate to ‘arid land’ in Portuguese.
- Sereno
In Portuguese, this surname means ‘serene’ or ‘calm.’ Originally, it would have been used as a nickname.
- Sousa
The last name ‘Sousa’ comes from the river of the same name in Portugal. The river’s name originates from the Latin word ‘saxa,’ which means ‘rocks,’ likely describing the numerous rocks or pebbles in the riverbed.
- Souto
This surname means ‘small wood’ or ‘grove’ in Portuguese. The last name represents a family that resided near wooded areas.
- Texeira
This surname is used for someone who lived close to a yew tree plantation.
- Trindade
The surname ‘Trindade’ in Portuguese means ‘trinity.’ It is a surname that is also used as a religious personal name, often given to someone who was born or baptized during the Holy Trinity feast.
- Troia
The surname likely comes from people who were originally from a place called Troia in Portugal.
- Vala
It is the surname of a family that probably originated from one of the places called Vala in Portugal.
- Vara
In Portuguese, the surname means ‘rod’ or ‘stick.’ This name might have been used as a nickname for a thin individual. It could also have been given to someone in charge of checking measurements, such as an officer.
- Veiga
It is a surname that refers to someone from a place called Veiga in Portugal. The name is believed to mean ‘meadow’ in Portuguese.
- Vela
Vela is a surname that refers to someone from one of the places in Portugal named Vela.
- Veloso
The surname probably meant ‘hairy’ or ‘fleecy’ and could have been used to describe someone with a lot of hair.
- Vento
This surname means wind in Portuguese and is also used as the name for certain locations in Portugal.
- Villela
This surname comes from Portugal and is derived from the word ‘vila,’ which means a small farm or estate.
- Xavier
This last name comes from a Basque word ‘Etxeberria,’ which means ‘the new house.’
Frequently Asked Questions
The Portuguese brought their last names with them when they moved to different parts of the world. Along with having roots in Portugal, these Portuguese surnames also have Spanish, Latin, and Galician origins. Surnames like Almeida, Cabral, Faria, Lima, Nobriga, Rios, Troia, and Xavier are based on place names, while Gale, Machado, Pao, and Pereira come from the jobs their ancestors had. Some Portuguese surnames or last names also come from personal names, such as Facundo, Joaquim, and Lucio.
