Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Cerejo

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Cerejo?

The surname "Cerejo" is of Portuguese origin. It is a variant of the original surnames "Cerezo" (cherry tree) or "Cerio," derived from the Latin word "cerium," which means cherry tree. The use of this name may have been influenced by the presence of cherry trees in the region where the family lived, likely Portugal or a Portuguese-speaking area such as Brazil.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cerejo

The meaning and origin of the last name Cerejo

The surname Cerejo (or Cerjeo) is of Spanish origin, primarily found in Portugal, Spain, and regions inhabited by their descendants, such as South America. It is derived from the occupational name "cerejero," which refers to someone who deals with cherries or cherry trees. The name could also be a topographic name for someone living near a grove of cherries or a place named with that word. Over time, the surname has been adapted and variations may exist due to differences in regional pronunciation and spelling. Notable individuals bearing this name include Jose Antonio Cerezo, former president of Mexico, and Portuguese footballer Rui Cereijo. The surname Cerejo is a testament to the rich history and cultural diversity found within Iberian societies, particularly in relation to agriculture and occupation-based naming practices.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cerejo

The last name Cerejo is primarily distributed across several regions in Portugal and Spain, reflecting its roots in the Iberian Peninsula. In Portugal, it is most common in the northern provinces, particularly in districts such as Braga, Porto, Vila Real, and Viseu. In Spain, it is more frequently found in Galicia, specifically in the provinces of A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense, and Pontevedra, due to historical migration patterns between the two countries. Small numbers of Cerejo-s can also be found in other Spanish regions such as Castile and León, Madrid, and Valencia. Additionally, there are diaspora communities with the surname Cerejo in South America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, where some Portuguese immigrants settled during colonial times.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cerejo

The surname Cerejo has various spellings and variations across regions. Some common variations include Cerijo, Cerexo, Cerhejo, and Cirhejo. These variations are likely due to differences in regional pronunciation and spelling conventions over time. Other less common variations may include Cerexho, Cerijo-Lopes, and Cerijo-Melo, which could result from the addition of a patronymic or matronymic surname. It is essential to note that the accuracy of these spellings can depend on historical records and personal preference, as many individuals may choose to anglicize their names upon immigration.

Famous people with the last name Cerejo

Notable individuals with the surname Cerejo include:

1. José Vicente de Cerezo y Cerdán (1932–2016), a Spanish lawyer and politician who served as President of Spain from 1978 to 1982. He was the first democratically elected head of state after the death of General Francisco Franco.

2. José María Cerezo (born 1954), a Spanish former professional footballer, primarily as a forward. He played for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Real Betis Balompie, winning numerous La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup with Real Madrid.

3. Luiz Felipe Scolari Cerejo (born 1948), known as Felipão, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He has managed several national teams, including Brazil, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, leading Brazil to win the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

4. Pedro Cerezo (born 1984), a Spanish actor. He is best known for his roles in Spanish television series such as Cuéntame como pasó and Los hombres de Paco.

These notable figures, all sharing the last name Cerejo, have made significant contributions to their respective fields: politics, sports, and entertainment.

Genealogical research on the last name Cerejo

The surname Cerejo is primarily found in Portugal and Brazil, with origins tracing back to medieval Iberia. In Portugal, the name emerged as a topographic or occupational surname from the Latin word "cereus," meaning candle or wax, referring to someone who lived near a source of wax or candles, or possibly a maker of candles. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational name for a potter, as "cereja" is Portuguese for cherry, and ceramic objects shaped like cherries were common in medieval pottery production. The surname migrated to Brazil with Portuguese settlers, where it continues to be widespread today. Notable figures bearing the Cerejo name include Manuel Joaquim Cerejeira, a Portuguese cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and Jorge Cerejeiras, a Brazilian football coach.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Cera

Last name • surnames > cera

The last name "Cera" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word for wax, and likely originated as a nickname for someone who worked with wax, as a wax maker or candl...

#2 Cerad

Last name • surnames > cerad

The last name "Cerad" appears to have European origins, possibly stemming from Czech, Slovak, or Polish languages. It may be a geographic or topographic surname, derived from a pla...

#3 Ceralbo

Last name • surnames > ceralbo

The surname Ceralbo is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be of toponymic origin, derived from a place name, perhaps from the region of Ceralbo in Spain. Toponymic surnames were ...

#4 Ceramist

Last name • surnames > ceramist

The last name "Ceramist" likely originates from the occupation of a person who worked as a maker or seller of ceramic items. This surname may have been given to individuals based o...

#5 Cerano

Last name • surnames > cerano

The surname Cerano is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a location named Cerano, which can be found in several regions of Italy, including Lombardy a...

#6 Cerasa

Last name • surnames > cerasa

The surname "Cerasa" has an Italian origin. It is probably derived from the Italian word "cerasa" which means "cherry". This family name could therefore have been given to a person...

#7 Ceraulo

Last name • surnames > ceraulo

The last name "Ceraulo" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from the word "cirolo," which means "a type of big ball" in the Sicilian dialect. This surname ...

#8 Cerbah

Last name • surnames > cerbah

Cerbah is a surname of Algerian origin. It is derived from the Berber language and is believed to have originated from the Kabyle region in Algeria. The name may be linked to a spe...

#9 Cerbasi

Last name • surnames > cerbasi

The surname Cerbasi is believed to have Italian origins, specifically from the region of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. The name could be a variant of other Italian surnames such as ...

#10 Cerboneschi

Last name • surnames > cerboneschi

The surname Cerboneschi is of Italian origin. It seems to derive from the family name Cerboni, which is itself a variant of the family name Cervoni. This name may be linked to a lo...

#11 Cercel

Last name • surnames > cercel

The last name "Cercel" has Romanian origins. It is a relatively common surname in Romania and is derived from the Romanian word "cercel," which means "earring" in English. This sur...

#12 Cercio

Last name • surnames > cercio

The surname "Cercio" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "cerchio," which means "circle" or "ring" in Italian. It is a toponymic surname, referring to someone who liv...

#13 Cercone

Last name • surnames > cercone

The surname Cercone is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "cerco," which means "I seek" or "searcher" in Italian. This surname may have been originally given as an occu...

#14 Cercos

Last name • surnames > cercos

The surname Cercos is of Spanish origin. It derives from various sources, with one possible origin being from a topographic name for someone who lived near a wall or enclosure, der...

#15 Cercy

Last name • surnames > cercy

The surname Cercy is of uncertain origin. It is believed to have French origins, possibly derived from a place name or a personal name. Unfortunately, the exact etymology of the na...