73 Portuguese Last Names & Meanings to Discover Your Roots

A Portuguese last name often ties you to a piece of history that spans continents. Understanding Portuguese surnames is like unlocking a family archive written in code.

Portuguese last names often fall into four categories: toponymic (based on places or landscapes), patronymic (based on a father’s name), occupational/descriptive, and religious. Unlike English surnames, they usually come in pairs. They often include connectors like da, de, or dos. Think of them as bridges between generations.

Below are 73 Portuguese last names—some common, some rare, all meaningful.

Toponymic Portuguese Last Names (Place-Based)

These names root people to where their ancestors once lived.

Name	Meaning
Silva	Forest
Costa	Coast
Oliveira	Olive tree
Pereira	Pear tree
Carvalho	Oak
Ribeiro	Small stream
Fontes	Springs
Monteiro	Hill-dweller
Vale	Valley
Castelo	Castle

Patronymic Portuguese Last Names (“Son of…”)

These surnames are like footprints from the father’s line. Most of these end in ‑es (meaning “son of”).

Name	Meaning
Rodrigues	Son of Rodrigo
Gonçalves	Son of Gonçalo
Fernandes	Son of Fernando
Nunes	Son of Nuno
Mendes	Son of Mendo
Álvares	Son of Álvaro
Antunes	Son of António
Simões	Son of Simão
Marques	Son of Marcos
Domingues	Son of Domingos

Occupational or Descriptive Portuguese Last Names

These surnames tell you what someone did or what they were like.

Name	Meaning
Ferreira	Blacksmith
Coelho	Rabbit (nimble, clever)
Guerreiro	Warrior
Carvalho	Oak (strong, sturdy)
Sampaio	Path maker
Teixeira	Yew tree grove
Pacheco	Noble origin (possibly Basque)
Falcão	Falcon
Lobo	Wolf
Magro	Thin (physical trait)

Religious Portuguese Last Names

These reflect devotion often passed down from converts or those baptized under Christian traditions.

Name	Meaning
Santos	Saints
de Jesus	Of Jesus
dos Reis	Of the Kings
da Cruz	Of the Cross
da Conceição	Of the Conception
de Assunção	Of the Assumption
Batista	Baptist
Salvador	Savior
Trindade	Trinity
Espírito Santo	Holy Spirit

 Portuguese Jewish/Sephardic Last Names

Surnames carried through families who fled or stayed hidden during the Inquisition.

Name	Origin/Meaning
Lopes	Son of Lopo (Sephardic use)
Nunes	Son of Nuno (frequent among crypto-Jews)
Mendes	Son of Mendo
Abecassis	Religious leader
Azevedo	Place-based (olive grove)
Pereira	Also common in Sephardic roots
Fonseca	Dry spring
Costa	Widely used by New Christians
Cardozo	Thistle
Baruch	Blessed (Hebrew origin)

“My family changed their name from Mendes to Mendes da Costa during the 1700s,” shared a user on Reddit’s r/Genealogy. “We later traced it to Amsterdam’s Sephardic community.”

29 Most Common Portuguese Last Names in Portugal and Brazil

In Portugal and Brazil, your last name can say a lot before you ever speak. It’s often the first clue to your ancestry, and sometimes, your region. 

Frequency data from INE Portugal and Brazilian IBGE

According to INE Portugal, the top surname is Silva, held by nearly 1 in 10 Portuguese people. Over 9.4% of the population shares it. In Brazil, the IBGE reports Silva is also king, used by more than 10% of the population. Following closely are Santos, Ferreira, Pereira, and Oliveira (source).

In Brazil, due to its size and racial mix, surnames are more diverse and widespread. But, Portuguese roots remain dominant.

Table of the Top 29 Portuguese Last Names with Meanings

Surname	Meaning	Common In
Silva	Forest	Portugal, Brazil
Santos	Saints	Brazil
Ferreira	Blacksmith	Both
Pereira	Pear tree	Portugal
Oliveira	Olive tree	Both
Costa	Coast	Portugal
Rodrigues	Son of Rodrigo	Both
Martins	Son of Martim	Portugal
Jesus	Jesus (devotional)	Brazil
Sousa	From the Sousa River	Both
Lima	River in Galicia	Portugal
Gonçalves	Son of Gonçalo	Both
Alves	Son of Álvaro	Brazil
Gomes	Son of Gome	Brazil
Mendes	Son of Mendo	Portugal
Nunes	Son of Nuno	Both
Pinto	Painted (nickname)	Brazil
Carvalho	Oak tree	Portugal
Teixeira	Yew tree grove	Both
Batista	Baptist (religious)	Brazil
Ribeiro	Little stream	Portugal
Cardoso	Thistle	Both
Moreira	Blackberry bush area	Portugal
Monteiro	Highlander	Portugal
Figueiredo	Fig tree field	Portugal
Pires	Son of Pedro	Portugal
Tavares	From Tavares region	Brazil
Fonseca	Dry spring	Both
Lima	Lima River (toponymic)	Portugal

Notable people who carry these names

• Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro – Global football icon (Santos)
  
• Fernando Pessoa – Poet, born Fernando António Nogueira de Seabra Pessoa
  
• Paula Fernandes – Brazilian singer-songwriter (Fernandes)
  
• Carlos Drummond de Andrade – Poet, Brazil (Andrade)
  
• Joaquim Ferreira do Amaral – Politician, Portugal (Ferreira)
  
• Chico Buarque de Holanda – Brazilian musician and writer (Holanda)
  

23 Popular Portuguese Last Names and Their Meanings

From Silva to Santos, some Portuguese names aren’t just common but they’re anchors. Their meanings are often simple, but their roots run deep.

“Silva” to “Santos”: Names rooted in nature, religion, and craft

Name	Meaning	Category
Silva	Forest	Toponymic
Pereira	Pear tree	Toponymic
Oliveira	Olive tree	Toponymic
Costa	Coast	Toponymic
Ribeiro	Small stream	Toponymic
Santos	Saints	Religious
de Jesus	Of Jesus	Religious
Ferreira	Blacksmith	Occupational
Machado	Axe	Occupational
Coelho	Rabbit	Descriptive
Gonçalves	Son of Gonçalo	Patronymic
Rodrigues	Son of Rodrigo	Patronymic
Martins	Son of Martim	Patronymic
Lopes	Son of Lopo	Patronymic
Teixeira	Yew grove	Toponymic
Mendes	Son of Mendo	Patronymic
Nunes	Son of Nuno	Patronymic
Batista	Baptist (religious)	Religious
Carvalho	Oak tree	Toponymic
Pinto	Speckled, painted	Descriptive
Cardoso	Thistle	Toponymic
Moreira	Blackberry bush area	Toponymic
Figueiredo	Fig tree field	Toponymic

Visual chart: Occupation-based vs Toponymic vs Patronymic

Occupation-Based

• Ferreira (blacksmith)
  
• Machado (axe-maker)
  
• Batista (religious figure)
  

Toponymic (Places/Nature)

• Silva (forest)
  
• Costa (coastline)
  
• Oliveira (olive grove)
  
• Teixeira (yew grove)
  
• Ribeiro (stream)
  
• Moreira (blackberry patch)
  

Patronymic (“Son of…”)

• Rodrigues (Rodrigo)
  
• Martins (Martim)
  
• Mendes (Mendo)
  
• Gonçalves (Gonçalo)
  
• Lopes (Lopo)
  

 19 Rare and Unique Portuguese Last Names with Intriguing Stories

Not every Portuguese last name is shared by thousands. Some are rare surnames, often poetic, unusual, and quietly powerful. They may not appear on top-10 lists, but they live increasingly in baby name journals.

Beautiful, underused surnames with poetic or unusual origins

Surname	Meaning/Origin
Trindade	Trinity (religious, spiritual)
Sol	Sun (evocative, symbolic)
Castelo	Castle (strength, nobility)
Magro	Thin or lean (descriptive, ironic)
Bravo	Brave, fierce (nickname-based)
Lobo	Wolf (descriptive, wild)
Falcão	Falcon (bird of prey, agility)
Varela	Possibly Galician, uncertain origin
Salgado	Salty (coastal, bold)
Loureiro	Laurel tree (honor, peace)

Regional rarities from Azores, Madeira, and rural Portugal

Some surnames barely left the islands. In the Azores, names like Bettencourt or Brum trace back to French and Flemish settlers in the 15th century.

• Bettencourt: Of Norman origin, tied to noble settlers.
  
• Ávila: Geographic, linked to medieval Spain but common in Madeira.
  
• Silveira: A variation of Silva, more frequent in island records.
  
• Brum: From Dutch/Flemish settlers in Terceira.
  

Reddit users exploring Azorean ancestry often note:

“Our family has Brum and Bettencourt—never met anyone with those names outside the islands.”

Revival names growing in popularity among modern parents

Younger Portuguese parents are leaning into names that feel fresh and grounded. 

 Examples:

• Monteiro: Highlander. Rugged, noble.
  
• Vale: Valley. Soft, modern.
  
• Neves: Snow. Clean, crisp.
  
• Loureiro: Laurel tree. Classic, lyrical.
  
• Castro: Fortress or castle ruins. Strong, historical.
  

21 Sephardic & Jewish-Portuguese Last Names for Citizenship Tracing

After the Inquisition, many Sephardic Jews in Portugal, either fled or stayed,adopted new surnames. Today, these names are keys. For some, they open the door to Portuguese citizenship and a restored sense of identity.

Surnames like Nunes, Lopes, Mendes, and their Jewish origin trails

Certain surnames appear again and again in Sephardic genealogy records. They’re not exclusively Jewish, but they frequently show up in Inquisition trials or diaspora communities.

Surname	Jewish Link
Nunes	Found in Amsterdam, Morocco, Brazil
Mendes	Prominent crypto-Jewish family
Lopes	Sephardic diaspora (Amsterdam, London)
Pereira	Common among New Christians
Fonseca	Found in inquisitorial records
Cardozo	Often spelled with ‘z’ abroad
Barros	Documented in Iberian expulsion lists
Costa	Used by many conversos
Silva	One of the most adopted surnames by Jews post-conversion
Azevedo	Jewish merchants in the 16th c.
Abecassis	Religious leader title in Morocco
Amaral	Linked to Jews in Belmonte region
Pinto	Common in Amsterdam archives
Navarro	Migration from Spain to Portugal
Seruya	Moroccan-Portuguese Jewish family
Capeluto	Used in Ottoman Empire by expelled Jews
Salzedo	Merchant surname from Iberian diaspora
Monteiro	Common among Portuguese Jews post-conversion
Henriques	From Henry, found in Jewish records
Rodrigues	Present in both Christian and Jewish lineages
Morais	Frequent among Jews of the Beira region

Citizenship eligibility and name verification through registries

Portugal’s Decree-Law 30-A/2015 allows descendants of Sephardic Jews (expelled from Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries) to apply for citizenship. It does so even if they’ve never been to Portugal.

But a surname alone isn’t enough.

You’ll need to show:

• Genealogical connection to a Sephardic ancestor
  
• Historical continuity of Sephardic identity
  
• Documentation linking you to that ancestry
  

Lists of qualifying surnames are referential, not exclusive. The name Fonseca, for example, is widely accepted. But your application still requires lineage evidence.

Official records are handled through the Jewish Communities of Lisbon or Porto.

Tips for gathering historical documentation

Tracing Sephardic roots takes detective work. Here’s where to start:

1. Family records – Look for birth, marriage, or death certificates mentioning Jewish ancestry.
   
2. Synagogue archives – Check Sephardic congregations in London, Amsterdam, or Brazil.
   
3. Inquisition records – Search Portuguese or Spanish inquisitorial databases (e.g., Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo).
   
4. DNA tests – Use with caution; they can support, but not replace, paper trails.
   
5. Surname maps – Tools like Forebears can show global surname distributions.
   
6. Local historians – Jewish communities in Belmonte or Tomar often maintain oral histories.
   

As one Redditor noted:

“We always thought we were just Catholic. Then we found a will from 1702 in Brazil that named a hidden synagogue in the cellar.”

31 Beautiful Portuguese Last Names for Boys and Girls

Portuguese last names often blend tradition, melody, and meaning.

 These 31 surnames were chosen for their beauty, balance, and story. They work well across cultures and carry powerful meaning.

Last Name	Meaning
Oliveira	Olive tree
Costa	Coast
Ribeiro	Small stream
Teixeira	Yew tree grove
Monteiro	Highlander
Falcão	Falcon
Lobo	Wolf
Loureiro	Laurel tree
Neves	Snow
Trindade	Trinity
Vale	Valley
Cardoso	Thistle
Sousa	From Sousa River
Amaral	Grape field
Moreira	Blackberry field
Castro	Castle ruins
Salgado	Salty, coastal
Branco	White
Marinho	Of the sea
Nogueira	Walnut tree
Moura	Moorish, mysterious
Sampaio	Old path, trailblazer
Fonseca	Dry spring
Rocha	Rock
Bettencourt	Noble origin
Azevedo	Olive grove
Varela	Galician roots
Machado	Axe (sharp, bold)
Sanches	Son of Sancho
Carvalho	Oak
Pereira	Pear tree

Gender-neutral and melodious name pairings

Portuguese surnames don’t have gendered endings. It makes them ideal for all children. Names like Neves or Vale sound light and unbound by convention. Castro, Monteiro, and Loureiro feel modern yet rooted. For your convenience, we have gathered few pairing ideas below:

Pair these with first names like:

• Isadora Loureiro
  
• Mateo Rocha
  
• Clara Vale
  
• Leonor Monteiro
  
• Tiago Cardoso
  

17 Cool and Stylish Portuguese Last Names That Sound Global

These Portuguese last names are easy to pronounce, smooth across languages, and full of character. Below are given 17 cool and stylish surnames that blend elegance with cultural depth.

Last Name	Why It Works Globally
Costa	Crisp, chic, effortlessly stylish
Rocha	Strong, sleek, easy to say
Sampaio	Distinctive yet melodic
Castro	Historic, bold, one-word brand
Monteiro	Regal and rhythmic
Teixeira	Uncommon but sonorous
Moura	Mysterious, soft yet strong
Amaral	Romantic and gentle
Figueiredo	Unique, long but lyrical
Loureiro	Musical and fresh
Salgado	Edgy, hint of salt and grit
Moreira	Modern classic
Azevedo	Smooth and noble
Bettencourt	High-class, European tone
Varela	Easy, vowel-rich, cross-cultural
Cardoso	Soft and catchy
Pinto	Short, punchy, memorable

Reddit artists often say:

“I wanted something that sounded Portuguese but didn’t need explaining. I landed on Loureiro—no regrets.”

With nickname potential and cultural cachet

Names like Teixeira or Castro come with built-in nickname power:

• Tex, Teix, Cast, Cas
  
• Pinto can become Pin
  
• Sampaio lends itself to Samp or Pai
  

27 Portuguese Last Names Starting with A–S: A Letter-by-Letter Guide

Here’s a quick alphabetical guide to enduring, elegant, and heritage-rich Portuguese last names.

This list is perfect for genealogy researchers, character creators, or parents.

A

• Abreu – Possibly of Hebrew or Basque origin; associated with nobility.
  
• Almeida – From the Arabic al-ma’ida, meaning “the plateau” or “table.”
  
• Araújo – Geographic, from a region in Galicia; sharp and noble in tone.
  

B

• Barbosa – Refers to “the place of bearded ones” or bushy areas; bold and rustic.
  
• Bettencourt – Of Norman-Flemish origin; rare and aristocratic, common in Azores.
  

C

• Costa – “Coast”; clean, sleek, and popular globally.
  
• Coelho – “Rabbit”; clever, soft-sounding, and symbolic.
  
• Carvalho – “Oak”; strong, traditional, nature-based.
  

D

• Dias – From “Dia” meaning day; possibly patronymic, from Diego.
  
• Duarte – A noble given name turned surname; linked to Portuguese royalty.
  

F

• Ferreira – “Blacksmith”; a powerful occupational surname.
  
• Fonseca – “Dry spring”; lyrical and rich with Sephardic ties.
  

G

• Gomes – “Son of Gome”; frequent in Brazil, short and warm.
  
• Gonçalves – “Son of Gonçalo”; rhythmic, patronymic, widely used.
  

M

• Martins – “Son of Martim”; solid and traditional.
  
• Moreira – “Mulberry tree area”; beautiful, flowing, and tied to land.
  
• Mendes – “Son of Mendo”; common in both Christian and Jewish records.
  

P

• Pereira – “Pear tree”; natural, melodic, common across continents.
  
• Pires – “Son of Pedro”; short, punchy, and familiar.
  
• Pinto – “Painted” or “colored”; often used in artistic or lively families.
  

R

• Ribeiro – “Little stream”; gentle and elegant.
  
• Rodrigues – “Son of Rodrigo”; popular and historically noble.
  

S

• Silva – “Forest”; the most common surname in both Portugal and Brazil.
  
• Sousa – From the Sousa River; old, noble, and geographically grounded.
  
• Santos – “Saints”; devotional, especially widespread in Brazil.
  

Wrap-Up: 

Portuguese last names are more than tradition. They reveal family roots, lost histories, and personal identity. Whether common or rare, each name carries meaning. Use our guide to explore, name, or trace your heritage. Start with your surname and then follow where it leads.

As one user on Reddit put it:

“I thought my name was just common. Then I found the parish records. Turns out it runs five generations deep in the same village. That name made me feel grounded.”