Last Name Brito-dos-santos

The surname Brito-dos-Santos is a Portuguese composite surname, formed by combining two separate surnames: Brito and dos Santos. The name Brito originates from the Old French word "bret" meaning Breton, and was often given to people who were of Breton descent or lived in Brittany, France. In Portugal, it also became a common surname for Christians converted from paganism. The name dos Santos means "of the Saints," derived from the Latin word "sanctus" meaning holy or saint. It was often given to someone named after a saint, such as St. Peter (Pedro in Portuguese), or could have been given to someone who lived near a church or religious site. Therefore, the composite surname Brito-dos-Santos likely originated from a person of Breton descent who was also named after a saint, or possibly had connections to multiple saints due to living near multiple churches.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Brito-dos-santos

The meaning and origin of the last name Brito-dos-santos

The surname Brito dos Santos is a Portuguese patronymic name, derived from two separate elements: "Brito," which means "bright" or "brisk" in reference to a person with fair hair, and "dos Santos," meaning "of the Saints." This double-barreled surname emerged during the Middle Ages when Portugal adopted the practice of hereditary surnames. The use of compound names allowed family members to distinguish themselves from others who shared the same single surname, often based on geographical location, occupation, or personal attributes. The name Brito dos Santos is common among Portuguese speakers and their descendants worldwide, reflecting the historical migration patterns of the Portuguese people.

Geographical distribution of the last name Brito-dos-santos

The surname Brito-dos-Santos is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal, due to its Portuguese origin. In Brazil, it ranks as one of the most common surnames, reflecting the country's large Portuguese immigrant population. Beyond South America, the name can also be found among the Brazilian diaspora in other parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Oceania. In Portugal, the name is less frequent but still present. The name's distribution suggests its historical roots in Portugal and its significant expansion with the Portuguese colonization and migration, particularly to Brazil.

Variants and spellings of the last name Brito-dos-santos

The surname Brito-dos-Santos has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and personal preferences. Some of the most common variations include:

1. Brito dos Santos
2. Brito Dos Santos
3. Brittos Santos
4. Britodossantos
5. Brito do Santos
6. Brittodos Santos
7. De Brito-dos-Santos
8. Da Brito-dos-Santos
9. Del Brito-dos-Santos
10. Do Brito-dos-Santos

These variations may occur depending on the specific rules of naming conventions in various countries, such as including or omitting articles (a, an, the), and the use of diacritics or not. It is essential to note that these variations may lead to discrepancies when searching for records or documents.

Famous people with the last name Brito-dos-santos

Notable individuals with the surname Brito dos Santos include:

1. Joaquim Emanuel Pereira de Brito e Sousa Dos Santos (born 1946), a Portuguese diplomat who served as the European Union's Ambassador to China from 2004 to 2008.
2. Alexandre Brito dos Santos (born 1972), a Brazilian football coach and former player, best known for his time at Corinthians, where he won three Série A titles as a player.
3. Adriana Lima (born 1981), a Brazilian model and actress with the full name Adriana Francesca Lima Brito Dos Santos. She is best known as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018, making her the longest-running Angel in the history of the brand.
4. Anderson Luiz de Souza Brito dos Santos (born 1990), commonly known as Anderson Talisca, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Lyon and the Brazil national team.
5. Fernanda Brito Dos Santos (born 1987), a Brazilian professional tennis player. She has won two WTA titles in doubles and reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 46 in August 2013.

Genealogical research on the last name Brito-dos-santos

The surname Brito-dos-Santos originates from Portugal, where it can be traced back to the medieval era. "Brito" is derived from the occupation of a British knight who served in Portugal during the Middle Ages, while "dos Santos" indicates a person from Santo, a common place name in Portugal. The combination of these two surnames signifies a connection to both the Brito and dos Santos families. Over time, individuals with this surname migrated from Portugal to various parts of the world, particularly Brazil, Angola, and other Portuguese-speaking countries due to colonial expansion. In Brazil, the name has become quite common, reflecting the country's Portuguese heritage. Today, people bearing the name Brito-dos-Santos can be found across the globe, with diverse cultural influences that have shaped their unique identities.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "brito-dos-santos"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends