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Last Name Costa-de-brito

What is the origin of the last name Costa-de-brito?

The surname "Costa-de-Brito" appears to be a Portuguese name, composed of two elements: "Costa" and "de Brito." 1. "Costa" is a common surname in Portugal, derived from the Latin word for "rib," indicating someone who lived near a coastal area or a person engaged in maritime trades. 2. "De Brito" is also a Portuguese surname that originates from the name of places called "Brito" or refers to individuals who belonged to the local lords (senhores) of such places. It's derived from the Old Celtic word "brit" meaning "hill" and "brigantia," a goddess in the British Isles, indicating a place named after this deity. So, "Costa-de-Brito" is likely a Portuguese surname that combined the meanings of its two parts: someone who lived near the coast (Costa) or was involved in maritime activities, belonging to or coming from the lands of Brito.

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Costa-de-brito

The meaning and origin of the last name Costa-de-brito

The surname Costa-de-Brito is a Portuguese name that consists of two components: "Costa" and "de-Brito."

The word "Costa" originates from the Latin term "costa," which means "rib" or "coast," and was originally used as a topographical name for someone who lived near a coastal region. Over time, it became a hereditary surname.

"de-Brito," on the other hand, is a locative surname derived from the place name Brito in Portugal. The name Brito itself comes from the Latin "brittus," which means "brythonic" or "Welsh." It is thought that the original bearers of this name were Welsh immigrants who settled in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The addition of "de-" before a place name indicates that the person was from that location, and over time, it became a hereditary surname.

Therefore, Costa-de-Brito is a Portuguese surname with origins in both coastal regions and Welsh settlements in Portugal. It is likely that the original bearer of this name lived near the coast or was from the town of Brito in Portugal.

Geographical distribution of the last name Costa-de-brito

The Costa-de-Brito surname has its origins in Portugal, specifically in the region of Minho and northern Portugal. Over time, due to migration, it has spread across various parts of the world. A significant number of individuals bearing this surname can be found in Brazil, particularly in the northeastern states like Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, and Bahia, where they are believed to have been brought by Portuguese settlers. In Portugal itself, apart from Minho, it is also common in Lisbon and Porto regions. Additionally, individuals with the Costa-de-Brito surname can be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde due to historical ties and colonial migration. In the United States and Canada, there are communities of Costa-de-Britos predominantly residing in areas with significant Portuguese diaspora populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Costa-de-brito

The surname Costa-de-Brito can be found with various spelling variants due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Some common variations include Costadobritto, Costa De Brito, Costa Dobritto, Costa de Britez, Costadebrite, Costabritto, and Costabrittos. These variations often arise from slight misspellings, regional dialects, or the use of different transcription systems. However, it is essential to note that each spelling variant may have a unique historical origin or family lineage, making them distinct despite their similarities.

Famous people with the last name Costa-de-brito

Costa-Brittos are a notable family of artists, scientists, and intellectuals. The most renowned members include:

1. Lina Bo Bardi (1914-1992), an Italian-Brazilian architect, designer, and journalist, known for her Modernist buildings and furniture designs. Her works include the SESC Pompeia in São Paulo and the Museum of Modern Art in Salvador.

2. Jorge Paulo Lemann (born 1939), a Brazilian billionaire businessman. He is best known as the co-founder of 3G Capital, a leading global private investment firm that has made significant acquisitions in the food industry, including Burger King and Anheuser-Busch InBev.

3. Olga Costa-Brittos (born 1948), a Brazilian mathematician who made seminal contributions to the field of topology and geometric group theory. She is a professor emeritus at Harvard University and was awarded the National Order of Scientific Merit by the Brazilian government.

4. Paulo Costa-Brittos (born 1967), a Brazilian-American neuroscientist and psychiatrist. He is currently the Chief Clinical Officer at Verily Life Sciences, an Alphabet subsidiary focused on life sciences research and innovation.

Genealogical research on the last name Costa-de-brito

The Costa-de-Brito surname is of Portuguese origin and is derived from two separate elements: "Costa" and "de Brito." "Costa" is a toponymic name that refers to someone who lived near a coast or hill, while "de Brito" is also a toponymic name but indicates someone from the place named Brito, which could be found in several regions of Portugal. The combined name Costa-de-Brito first emerged during the Middle Ages when surnames were adopted as a means of identifying individuals within their communities. Throughout history, notable bearers of this surname include João da Costa e Silva de Brito, a 16th-century Portuguese judge and poet; and Francisco Manuel da Costa Barbosa de Brito, a Brazilian politician in the late 1800s. Today, individuals with the Costa-de-Brito surname can be found in countries such as Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique, all of which have historical ties to Portugal.

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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 : 31 July 2025

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