NomOrigine Background

Last Name Da-cruz-carvalho

What is the origin of the last name Da-cruz-carvalho?

The surname "da Cruz Carvalho" is of Portuguese origin. It consists of two parts, each part indicating a different aspect of one's identity. "Da Cruz" translates to "of the cross" in English, and was likely given as a nickname or baptismal name related to Christianity. The use of 'da' before the surname indicates nobility or aristocracy, meaning "of the" in Portuguese. "Carvalho," on the other hand, is a common Portuguese surname that refers to the oak tree, derived from the Latin word for oak, "Quercus." This surname might have been given as an occupational name for someone who worked with oak trees or lived near one. So, the name "da Cruz Carvalho" originated in Portugal and can be traced back to Christian nobility or a connection to oak trees.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The meaning and origin of the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The surname Da Cruz Carvalho is a Portuguese composite name, formed by combining two distinct elements: "Da Cruz" and "Carvalho".

"Da Cruz" translates to 'of the cross' in English, suggesting that an ancestor may have had some religious affiliation or association with the Christian symbol. It is a common patronymic surname in Portugal, often given as a last name to individuals named after St. Peter (Pedro), whose image in art is typically depicted with a cross.

"Carvalho," on the other hand, means 'oak' in Portuguese and is also a common Portuguese surname. Oak trees were significant in pre-modern societies for their durability, size, and utility, often serving as landmarks or as a symbol of strength and endurance.

The combination of these two elements, Da Cruz Carvalho, likely resulted from intermarriage between families with the individual surnames, creating a new family identity over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The surname da-Cruz-Carvalho is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, primarily in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, it is among the most common surnames due to the country's significant Portuguese influence. The name also appears in Portugal, reflecting its origin from a combination of two common Portuguese surnames: da Cruz (meaning 'of the cross') and Carvalho (meaning 'oak tree'). Additionally, there are small populations bearing this surname in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde due to historical migrations. Furthermore, the name may also be found among the Brazilian diaspora in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with significant Portuguese immigrant populations like the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The surname Da Cruz Carvalho has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional pronunciation, and personal preferences. Some common variations include:

* DaCruzCarvalho (with capitalization changes)
* Dacruzcarvalho (no spaces)
* Da Cruz Carvalho Jr. (indicating a junior or second generation bearer of the name)
* Da Cruz Carvalho Sr. (indicating a senior or first generation bearer of the name)
* De Cruz Carvalho (with the "de" instead of "da")
* Dacruz Carvalho (with no spaces and different capitalization)
* Dacruz-Carvalho (hyphenated version)
* Da Cruz Carvahlo (with a spelling error in the second part of the surname)
* D'A Cruz Carvalho (with an apostrophe before "A")
* Da' Cruz Carvalho (with an apostrophe after "Da")

It is important to note that these variations may lead to difficulties in searching for records and documentation, as different authorities and databases may have different standards for spelling and formatting surnames. It is always a good idea to research the historical origins of the name and consult with family members or experts to determine the most accurate and traditional version of the surname Da Cruz Carvalho.

Famous people with the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The da Cruz Carvalhos are a notable family with multiple distinguished members across various fields. One of the most recognized is José Eduardo dos Santos, who served as Angola's President from 1979 to 2017. His tenure was marked by efforts to rebuild and modernize the country after its independence from Portugal. In Brazil, another prominent figure is the writer Clarice Lispector, born Chaya Lispector da Cruz Carvalho, who gained international acclaim for her works exploring themes of identity, existentialism, and female empowerment in literature. Lastly, Fernando Cândido de Oliveira da Cruz Carvalho, known as "Ferro," was a Brazilian football defender who played for Santos FC during the 1960s and won three Copa Libertadores titles with the team.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-cruz-carvalho

The surname da-Cruz-Carvalho is a Portuguese composite name, derived from two distinct elements: "da Cruz" and "Carvalho."

"Da Cruz," translating to "of the cross," was initially used as a baptismal name for converts to Christianity, particularly during the Age of Discoveries. Over time, it became a hereditary surname among Portuguese families.

"Carvalho," originating from the Latin Carpinus, refers to the European oak tree or oak forests and was adopted by several Portuguese families as a surname.

The combination of da-Cruz and Carvalho formed the composite name that is now known as da-Cruz-Carvalho. The name can be found throughout Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly in Portugal itself and its former colonies such as Brazil and Angola.

Further research into genealogical records would reveal more specific details about particular branches of the da-Cruz-Carvalho family, their migrations, and notable members throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 29 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Da-costa-curval (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-curval

The surname "da Costa Curval" appears to be of Portuguese origin. The name "da Costa" is a common Portuguese patronymic surname, meaning "of the coast." It was often given to peopl...

Da-costa-dos-santos (Last name)

surnames > 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 originat...

Da-costa-fereira (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-fereira

The surname "da Costa Ferreira" is of Portuguese origin. It is a combination of two common Portuguese surnames, "da Costa" which means "of the coast" and "Ferreira" which is derive...

Da-costa-freitas (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-freitas

The surname "da Costa Freitas" is of Portuguese origin. "da Costa" means "of the coast" in Portuguese, suggesting that the original bearer of the surname may have lived near the co...

Da-costa-leiras (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-leiras

The surname "da Costa Leiras" appears to be a combination of two Portuguese surnames. 1. Da Costa: This is a common Portuguese surname that originally referred to someone from the...

Da-costa-neves (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-neves

The last name "da Costa Neves" is of Portuguese origin. "Da Costa" means "from the coast" in Portuguese, while "Neves" is a common Portuguese surname derived from the word for "sno...

Da-costa-vaz (Last name)

surnames > da-costa-vaz

The surname "da-Costa-Vaz" is a combination of two Portuguese surnames: "da Costa" and "Vaz." "Da Costa" is derived from the occupation of a costeiro or coastal dweller, a common ...

Da-Cruz (Last name)

surnames > da-cruz

The surname "da Cruz" is of Portuguese origin. It is a common surname in Portugal and Brazil. "Da Cruz" means "of the Cross" in Portuguese, and it is commonly associated with the C...

Da-cruz-alves (Last name)

surnames > da-cruz-alves

The last name "da Cruz Alves" is Brazilian in origin. "Da Cruz" means "of the Cross" in Portuguese, and it likely refers to a person who lived near a cross or a place named after a...

Da-cruz-batista (Last name)

surnames > da-cruz-batista

The surname "da Cruz Batista" is a combination of two Portuguese surnames, each having distinct origins. "Da Cruz" means "of the cross" and was a nickname for someone who owned a ...

Da-cruz-jose-ne-a-vimioso (Last name)

surnames > da-cruz-jose-ne-a-vimioso

The surname "da Cruz Jose Ne A Vimioso" appears to be a Portuguese name with components that have distinct origins. 1. "da Cruz": This is a common Portuguese surname, which litera...

Da-Fonseca (Last name)

surnames > da-fonseca

The last name "da Fonseca" is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the Portuguese word "fonseca," which means "fountain" or "spring." It is a toponymic surname, typically given...

Da-fonseca-figueira (Last name)

surnames > da-fonseca-figueira

The surname "da-Fonseca-Figueira" is a Portuguese composite surname, formed by combining two separate patronymic and locative surnames. The first part, "da-Fonseca", originates fr...

Da-forno-cavieres (Last name)

surnames > da-forno-cavieres

The last name "da Forno Cavieres" is of Italian and Spanish origin. The name "da Forno" is Italian and literally means "from the oven", possibly indicating an ancestor who worked a...

Da-graça (Last name)

surnames > da-graca

The surname "da Graça" is of Portuguese origin. It derives from a place name, indicating that the original bearer lived near or came from a location named Graça. In Portugal, man...