Last Name Da-costa-dos-santos

Da Costa dos Santos is a Portuguese surname that consists of two separate patronymic and locative names. "Da Costa" translates to "of the Costa" and refers to someone who originated from a place named Costa. Costa could be the name of a geographical feature, such as a hill or cape, and in medieval Portugal, these names were often used as surnames. "Dos Santos" means "of the Saints." This name likely came from a place with the same name or was adopted by someone who lived near a church dedicated to multiple saints. Similar to "Da Costa," this name became a common surname in Portugal due to the practice of using geographical and religious references as surnames. Overall, Da Costa dos Santos is a composite Portuguese surname with roots in geographic and religious place names from medieval Portugal.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

The meaning and origin of the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

The surname Da-Costa-Dos-Santos is a composite Portuguese name derived from two distinct patronymics. "Da-Costa" and "Dos-Santos" are both common surnames in Portugal, with "da Costa" meaning 'of the coast' and originating from places named Costa, while "dos Santos" means 'of the saints', originating from places named Santo or Santa. The combination of these two surnames indicates a family history that includes ancestors bearing both names, potentially due to marriage or adoption over multiple generations. The name is common among Portuguese descendants worldwide, particularly in Brazil and other former Portuguese colonies.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

The surname Da Costa dos Santos is predominantly of Portuguese origin and is widely distributed among populations with Portuguese ancestry, particularly in Portugal itself, as well as in countries that were once under Portuguese rule or had significant Portuguese immigration, such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Goa (India), Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, and East Timor. In Brazil, it is one of the most common surnames due to a large number of Portuguese immigrants in the 16th century. In addition, there are also populations with this surname in other countries with significant Portuguese communities like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Variants and spellings of the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

The surname Da Costa dos Santos has several variations and spellings due to historical influences and regional differences. Some common variations include DaCostaDosSantos, DacostaDossantos, DaCostadosSantos, D'AcostaDosSantos, and DeCosta dos Santos. Additionally, shortened or abbreviated versions may appear as D Costa, da Costa, Da Cosa, Dos Santos, or simply Costa or Santos depending on individual preference or family traditions. It is important to note that the correct spelling of a particular name can vary based on factors such as country of origin, immigration records, and personal choices.

Famous people with the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

Notable individuals with the combined surname Da Costa dos Santos include:

1. Anderson da Silva, better known by his stage name Andre 3000, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and songwriter, best known as one-half of the hip hop duo Outkast.

2. Ana Maria Polesio Da Costa dos Santos, a Brazilian mathematician and computer scientist, who has made significant contributions to the field of formal methods for hardware and software verification.

3. Bruno da Costa, a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Portuguese club Sporting CP and the Portugal national team.

4. Eduardo de Castro e Silva Da Costa Dos Santos, a Brazilian businessman known for his work in the automotive industry. He is the former CEO of Volkswagen Group of Brazil.

5. Jéssica da Silva dos Santos, a Brazilian professional volleyball player who has played as an opposite spiker for Eczacıbaşı VitrA Istanbul and the Brazil women's national team.

6. Joaquim Antônio de Sousa e Da Costa Dos Santos, better known as Zé do Caixão, a Brazilian serial killer who was active in the 1980s and early 1990s.

7. Marcos Aurelio da Costa dos Santos, commonly known as Marquinhos, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-costa-dos-santos

The surname Da Costa dos Santos is a Portuguese patronymic name, originating from two distinct roots: "Da Costa" and "dos Santos."

"Da Costa" means 'of the coast' and was likely given to someone who lived near a coastal region. It is a common surname in Portugal, with its origins traceable back to the medieval period.

"Dos Santos," on the other hand, translates to 'of the saints,' suggesting an association with Christianity. This surname also has roots dating back to the Middle Ages in Portugal and Spain.

The combined name Da Costa dos Santos could have arisen from a family where the father had the surname Da Costa and the mother was named Dos Santos, or it may have originated from two different lineages that merged at some point. The name has since spread globally due to Portuguese exploration and colonization, particularly in Brazil, Africa, India, and Goa.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "da-costa-dos-santos"
• 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 : 25 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends