The surname Cabral is of Portuguese and Spanish origin. It is derived from the personal name "Cabral," which means "cabbage-headed" or "strong-headed" in Old Galician, a medieval language spoken in northwestern Iberia. This name was borne by several notable figures in both Portugal and Spain, contributing to its widespread use among those regions' populations. The surname Cabral later spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and colonization, particularly in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries as well as in regions influenced by Iberian culture such as Latin America and the Philippines.
The surname Cabral is of Portuguese origin, derived from the medieval occupational name "Cabra" (goat) or a habitational name from places named with this word, such as Cabras in Sardinia and several locations in Portugal. The suffix "-al" was added to these names during the Middle Ages to indicate that the bearer lived near or owned property in those locations. The surname Cabral can also be found among Sephardic Jewish families who were expelled from Spain in 1492 and resettled in other parts of Europe, including Portugal. It is a common surname throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, as well as in Latin America due to colonial expansion by the Portuguese.
The surname Cabral has significant distribution across various regions due to its Portuguese origins. It is most prevalent in Portugal, where it ranks among the top 200 most common last names. Beyond Portugal, many descendants of Portuguese immigrants carry this name, particularly in former Portuguese colonies and countries with significant Portuguese immigration, such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Goa (India), East Timor, and various African, Asian, and South American nations. In the United States, Cabral is a common Hispanic surname, especially in states with large Latin American populations like Florida, California, Texas, and New York. Additionally, it can be found among Portuguese communities in Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries due to historical emigration patterns.
The surname Cabral has various spelling variants and regional differences. The most common English variation is Cabral, which originates from Portugal. Other variants include de Cabral, Cabrales, and Cabrál. In Spanish-speaking countries, the name may be written as de Cabrera or Cabrera. In Italian, it can be spelled as di Cabra or Cabro. In French, it is often written as de Cabrol or Cabrol. Additionally, some Portuguese families with the name Cabral migrated to Brazil and may spell their surname slightly differently, such as Cabrál, Cabre, or even Câbralis in a more archaic form. The variations stem from regional dialects, family lineages, and historical periods, but all share a common root meaning "of the goat."
Notable individuals with the surname Cabral include Pedro Álvares Cabral (1467-1520), a Portuguese explorer credited with discovering Brazil in 1500 while on a voyage to India, under the auspices of Prince Henry the Navigator. Another prominent figure is José Martínez de Cabral y Maldonado (1839-1875), a Cuban national hero who played a crucial role in the struggle for Cuba's independence from Spain during the 19th century. Another significant person is Luís Cabral (born 1940), a Cape Verdean politician who served as the country's prime minister and president, instrumental in guiding Cape Verde towards democracy after independence from Portugal. Lastly, Dr. Luis Filipe Tedesco Cabral (born 1963) is a renowned Portuguese geneticist known for his contributions to the study of human genetics and genomic medicine.
The surname Cabral originates from Portugal and is derived from the occupational name for a farmer or cultivator, from the medieval Latin 'caballus', meaning 'horse'. The name was borne by several important figures in Portuguese history, such as João de Barros Cabral, a historian, and Vasco da Gama, the explorer who led the first oceanic voyage from Europe to India. The Cabral family played a significant role in Portugal's expansion during the Age of Discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries, with numerous members serving as navigators, governors, and military leaders. The name has since spread globally due to Portuguese colonization, with notable individuals bearing the surname in Brazil, Angola, Goa, and other former Portuguese territories. Today, Cabral is one of the most common Portuguese surnames worldwide.
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