NomOrigine Background

Last Name Antunes

What is the origin of the last name Antunes?

The last name "Antunes" has its origin in Portugal. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name "Antão" or "Antonio," which are Portuguese versions of the name Anthony. "Antunes" essentially means "son of Anthony" or "descendant of Anthony."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Antunes

The meaning and origin of the last name Antunes

The surname Antunes is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the given name "Antonio," which is the Portuguese form of the Latin name "Antonius." The name "Antonio" itself traces its roots back to ancient Roman times and was a common name among the early Christians. The surname Antunes, therefore, signifies a patronymic or a family name denoting descent from an ancestor named António or Antonio. The use of patronymic surnames, based on given names, became widespread in many cultures as a way to distinguish between individuals and their families. Over time, these surnames were passed down through generations, becoming an integral part of family identity. Today, the surname Antunes can be found not only in Portugal but also among Portuguese communities worldwide, serving as a reminder of the ancestral connections to the given name Antonio and the diverse historical roots of the Portuguese people.

Geographical distribution of the last name Antunes

The last name "Antunes" is primarily associated with Portugal and its former colonies. In Portugal, it is a relatively common surname, especially in regions like Lisbon, Porto, and Setúbal. The name originates from the given name "Antão," which is the Portuguese form of the name "Anthony." Antunes is also present in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, and Cape Verde, due to historical connections and migration patterns. In Brazil, for instance, Antunes is found in various states, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. The geographical distribution of Antunes has also been influenced by emigration from Portugal to other parts of the world. It can be found in communities of Portuguese origin in countries like the United States, Canada, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Overall, while Antunes is most prevalent in Portugal and its former colonies, its presence can be traced to various parts of the world with significant Portuguese communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Antunes

The last name Antunes can be spelled and found in various variations due to historical influences and regional differences. Some common variations and spellings of the surname include Antunez, Antoon, Antoines, Antunesz, Antunis, Antunis, Antonsen, Antunović, and Antunetti. These variations can be observed in different parts of the world, especially among Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Croatian communities. The spelling variations may arise from transliterations, changes in pronunciation over time, immigration patterns, or even personal preferences. For instance, Antunez and Antoon are more commonly found in Spanish and Dutch-speaking regions, respectively. Similarly, Antoines is often associated with French-speaking regions. Despite the variations in spelling, all these versions are essentially derived from the original form "Antunes," which is thought to have originated from the Latin personal name "Antonius," meaning "praiseworthy" or "priceless."

Famous people with the last name Antunes

There are several famous people with the last name Antunes who have made significant contributions in various fields. One notable figure is the Portuguese author and journalist, António Lobo Antunes. Known for his deeply introspective and poetic writing style, Antunes has received numerous prestigious literary awards, including the Jerusalém Prize and the Prix Médicis étranger. Another notable figure is the Brazilian singer and composer, Ceumar Antunes. With her soulful voice and unique blend of Brazilian folk and jazz, Ceumar has garnered international recognition, earning her a Latin Grammy nomination. In the world of sports, we have Marcelo Antunes, a former Portuguese footballer who played as a midfielder. Marcelo had a successful career, notably playing for clubs like FC Porto and Benfica, and earning several national team caps. These individuals have undoubtedly left their mark and have become renowned figures within their respective domains.

Genealogical research on the last name Antunes

The last name Antunes has its origins in Portugal. It is derived from the Portuguese word "antão," meaning "Anthony" in English. The surname Antunes is patronymic in nature, indicating that it was originally used to identify the descendants of a person named Antão or Antonio. The name Antonio itself has a Latin origin, derived from the Greek name Antonios, meaning "priceless" or "inestimable." Antunes is a relatively common surname in Portugal, and its variations can be found in different regions of the country. Genealogical research on the Antunes family would involve tracing the lineage of individuals with this name, exploring their place of origin, and identifying any notable individuals or historical records associated with the surname. Due to the widespread use of the name, Antunes families may have diverse ancestral backgrounds and connections to various regions within Portugal or even beyond.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Antabi (Last name)

surnames > antabi

The last name Antabi is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "Antab" which means fig. This last name may indicate a familial association with the cultivation or tra...

Antakli (Last name)

surnames > antakli

The surname "Antakli" is of Arabic origin. It is probably from the Levant, a region of the Middle East including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. In most cases, Arab surnames com...

Antal (Last name)

surnames > antal

The last name Antal is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the Hungarian personal name Antal, which is equivalent to the English name Anthony. The name Antal is a common surnam...

Antamba (Last name)

surnames > antamba

The last name Antamba is of African origin, specifically from the Bemba ethnic group in Zambia. It is a surname that is believed to have traditional roots in the Bemba language and...

Antani john (Last name)

surnames > antani-john

The last name "Antani John" appears to be of Indian origin. The surname "Antani" is commonly found among the Gujarati and Sindhi communities in India, while "John" is a Western giv...

Antanoor (Last name)

surnames > antanoor

The last name "Antanoor" appears to have its origins in the Assyrian community of the Middle East. It is not a common surname and may be specific to a particular family or region w...

Antao (Last name)

surnames > antao

The origin of the last name "Antao" can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Portugal. "Antao" is a variant of the Portuguese surname "António," which is derived ...

Antary (Last name)

surnames > antary

The last name Antary is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "antar", meaning "inner" or "interior".

Antaya (Last name)

surnames > antaya

The last name "Antaya" is of French-Canadian origin. It is derived from the French surname "Antaya" or "Antayre" which originated in the region of Quebec, Canada. The exact meaning...

Antczak (Last name)

surnames > antczak

The last name "Antczak" is of Polish origin. It is derived from the given name Antoni, which is the Polish form of the name Anthony.

Anteby (Last name)

surnames > anteby

The last name "Anteby" is of Sephardic Jewish origin, specifically from the Jewish community in Morocco. It is derived from the Hebrew word "antebi," which means "sunset" or "west....

Antee (Last name)

surnames > antee

The last name "Antee" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "ante," meaning "before" or "first," and was likely used to denote someone who was the first-born ...

Anteliz navarro (Last name)

surnames > anteliz-navarro

The last name Anteliz Navarro is of Spanish origin. "Anteliz" is likely derived from the Basque surname Anteliz, which means "house of the bulls" or "house of the ancestors." "Nava...

Antell (Last name)

surnames > antell

The surname Antell is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the personal name Antti, a diminutive of the name Andreas, meaning "man" or "warrior" in Greek.

Anten (Last name)

surnames > anten

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...