Last Name Carreira

The surname "Carreira" is of Portuguese origin. It translates to "highway" or "road" in English. The name could have been given to someone who lived near a major road, or it could be an occupational name for a traveler, guide, or messenger on that road. Historically, Portugal has had a tradition of naming people based on their profession, physical characteristics, place of origin, or other distinguishing features.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Carreira

The meaning and origin of the last name Carreira

The surname Carreira is of Portuguese origin, deriving from the Latin term "carrus" meaning "cart" or "wagon", and the suffix "-ería," which often indicates a profession related to that object. Thus, in this context, Carreira likely denotes an occupation related to carts or wagons. Over time, as families migrated or expanded across Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking regions such as Brazil, the spelling of the surname may have slightly changed due to regional dialects, phonetic variations, or transcription errors. Today, Carreira is a common surname in Portugal and countries with a large Portuguese diaspora, reflecting its historical significance and widespread usage over centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Carreira

The surname Carreira is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it ranks as one of the top 3,000 most common surnames, with significant concentrations in regions such as Algarve, Alentejo, and Lisbon. In Brazil, it's more widespread due to historical Portuguese immigration waves, being particularly prevalent in the southeastern states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. The name is less common in other parts of the world but can also be found among Portuguese descendants in countries like Angola, Mozambique, Goa (India), and some parts of Africa and South America where Portuguese colonization occurred. It's important to note that surnames can also change due to naturalization or assimilation, leading to the presence of Carreira in other global locations as well.

Variants and spellings of the last name Carreira

The surname Carreira can have various spelling variations due to differences in language, regional dialects, and transcription errors over time. Here are some of the most common variations:

1. Carreira - This is the original Portuguese spelling, which means "career" in English.
2. Cariera - An alternative spelling found in some records, particularly outside Portugal.
3. Carreria - A less common variant, also found among Portuguese descendants.
4. Careyra - A phonetic variation that may arise when the name is transcribed into other languages or dialects.
5. Correira - Another spelling, which can be seen in some records and might result from a slight mispronunciation or transcription error.
6. Caryera - An uncommon variant found among Portuguese descendants residing outside Portugal.
7. Coreyra - A variation that may result from spelling errors or regional dialects.

Famous people with the last name Carreira

Notable individuals with the surname Carreira include:

1. Michael Carreira - A professional basketball player who was selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Development League Draft by the Tulsa 66ers. He also played for teams such as CSKA Moscow and Hapoel Jerusalem BC.

2. João Carreira - A Portuguese former professional footballer who played for Sporting CP, FC Porto, and Benfica. He won multiple Primeira Liga titles and represented Portugal at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

3. Maria Celeste Carreira - A Brazilian actress and model, best known for her roles in telenovelas such as "Bang Bang" and "Malhação." She has also worked in theater and hosted the reality show "A Fazenda."

4. David Carreira - A Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for English club Southampton FC and the Portugal national team. He was part of the Porto team that won the UEFA Champions League in 2011.

5. Marcos Carreira - An Argentine composer, conductor, and violinist known for his work with tango music. He has collaborated with artists such as Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla, and his compositions have been performed by orchestras worldwide.

Genealogical research on the last name Carreira

The surname Carreira is of Portuguese origin, derived from the word "carreiro," meaning 'roadmaker' or 'caretaker of roads.' It is most common in regions such as Minho, Trás-os-Montes, and Aveiro in Portugal. The name is also found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique due to the historical colonization and migration of Portuguese people. Notable individuals with this surname include José Carreira, a Portuguese footballer who played for Sporting CP; Maria Helena Carreira, a prominent Brazilian politician; and Carlos Carreira, a renowned Angolan sculptor. The Carreira family tree is vast, with branches extending across the world as a result of Portuguese exploration and diaspora. The name remains common in Portugal and its former colonies today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Carreira"
• 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 : 10 June 2025

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