Last Name Cunha

The last name "Cunha" is of Portuguese origin. It is a common surname in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. The name is derived from the Portuguese word "cunha," which translates to "wedge" in English. It is believed that the surname was originally used to indicate someone who lived near a geographic feature shaped like a wedge, such as a narrow piece of land, or it could have been a nickname for someone with a solid and determined personality. Over time, the name Cunha has spread to various Portuguese-speaking communities around the world.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Cunha

The ethnic identity associated with the surname Cunha also evolved between 2000 and 2010, as presented in the Decennial U.S. Census. The percentage of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander more than doubled, moving from 0.81% to 1.49%. However, those identifying as two or more races dropped significantly from 6.78% to 1.49%. The largest group, White, saw a slight increase from 86.73% to 90.25%. The Hispanic percentage marginally decreased from 4.79% to 4.70%. The Black population experienced the biggest relative growth, tripling from 0.56% to 1.68%. Lastly, those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native saw a modest increase from 0.34% to 0.39%.

	2000	2010	Change
White	86.73%	90.25%	4.06%
Hispanic	4.79%	4.7%	-1.88%
Black	0.56%	1.68%	200%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.81%	1.49%	83.95%
Two or More Races	6.78%	1.49%	-78.02%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.34%	0.39%	14.71%

Cunha ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Cunha is Spanish & Portuguese, which comprises 57.7% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are British & Irish (17.3%) and Italian (5.7%). Additional ancestries include French & German, Ashkenazi Jewish, Indigenous American, Eastern European, and Scandinavian.

Ready to learn more about your ancestry? Get the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market by taking our DNA test.

ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese	57.7%
British & Irish	17.3%
Italian	5.7%
Other	19.3%

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Cunha

The meaning and origin of the last name Cunha

The surname Cunha has its origins in the Latin word "cuneus," meaning "wedge." It is a Portuguese and Galician surname, particularly common in Portugal and Brazil. The name is predominantly found among people of Portuguese descent. The surname Cunha was likely first used as a geographic or topographic name to describe someone who lived in a place with a wedge-like shape, such as a narrow strip of land or a small promontory. Over time, the name became hereditary, passing down from generation to generation. The Cunha family is considered to be an ancient noble lineage in Portugal, claiming descent from the royal houses of Burgundy and León. Today, individuals with the surname Cunha can be found across the globe, reflecting the historical movements of Portuguese colonization and migration. Despite its simplicity, the name Cunha carries with it a long ancestral heritage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Cunha

The last name Cunha has a significant geographical distribution, mainly associated with Portuguese-speaking countries and their historical connections. In Portugal, it is one of the most common surnames, with a concentration in the northern part of the country. Due to colonization and migration, the surname is also prevalent in Brazil, where it is among the top surnames nationally. Additionally, it is found in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, reflecting the historical ties between these nations. Outside of these regions, the surname Cunha can also be found in smaller numbers in countries with Portuguese communities or diasporas, including the United States, Canada, France, and Luxembourg. The dispersal of this surname demonstrates how migration and historical connections have shaped its distribution across different parts of the world, with its highest concentrations in areas with notable Portuguese influence.

Variants and spellings of the last name Cunha

The last name Cunha, of Portuguese origin, has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some common variations include Cunho, Kuhn, Cuhna, and Kohna. In Brazil, where the name is quite prevalent, variations such as Cuna and Kunha are also seen. These variations usually occur due to different dialects, regional accents, or transcription errors over time. Furthermore, when immigrants from Portugal or Brazil migrated to other countries, adaptations to match the local phonetics or spelling rules may have resulted in additional variations. For instance, in English-speaking countries, the name might be spelled as Coonha, Coonah, or Coonhea, reflecting how the name is pronounced in the respective language. Nonetheless, despite these variations in spelling, the historical significance and family heritage of the name remain intact, connecting individuals across generations and diverse backgrounds.

Famous people with the last name Cunha

One of the most famous people with the last name Cunha is Dilma Rousseff, the 36th President of Brazil, serving from 2011 to 2016. Rousseff, born Dilma Vana Rousseff Cunha, made history by becoming the country's first female president. She was a prominent member of the Workers' Party and served as the Chief of Staff to the President before her presidency. Rousseff's tenure was marked by various economic and political challenges, including the impeachment process in 2016. Another notable figure with the last name Cunha is Ricardo Cunha, a Portuguese football player who is currently a midfielder for the team FC Tirsense. Born in 1987, Cunha has played for several Portuguese football clubs throughout his career, including SC Braga, UD Oliveirense, and Académico de Viseu. Known for his skillful play and contribution to various teams, Cunha has earned recognition as a talented footballer in the Portuguese sports scene.

Genealogical research on the last name Cunha

The last name Cunha has Portuguese and Galician origins, and is commonly found in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking regions. The name is believed to have originated from the Old Portuguese word "cunha," which means "wedge." The Cunha family is said to have originated from the noble house of Portugal, and some sources trace their ancestry back to a knight named Dom Ramiro Guedes, who played a significant role in the Reconquista and the founding of the Kingdom of Portugal. Over time, the Cunha surname spread to different regions, and several notable figures with the name have emerged throughout history. Genealogical research on the Cunha family may involve tracing lineage through various historical records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates; church records; immigration records; and other pertinent documents, in order to establish the many branches and connections of the Cunha family tree.

Share the origin of your last name with your friends