Last Name Da-silva-francisco

The surname "da Silva Francisco" is of Portuguese origin. It comprises three parts: 1. "da Silva": This is a common Portuguese patronymic surname, meaning "of the Silva" (silvage in Old Portuguese). Silva originally referred to someone who lived in an area covered with trees (from Latin silva, forest). Over time, it became a hereditary surname. 2. "-Francisco": This is another Portuguese given name, derived from the Latin Franciscus or Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman" or "free one". It was popularized by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century and later became a common Christian name in many countries. The combination of these two parts forms the Portuguese surname "da Silva Francisco", indicating that the bearer was either a member of the Silva family with the given name Francisco or, more likely, that their paternal grandfather's surname was Silva while they were named Francisco.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Da-silva-francisco

The meaning and origin of the last name Da-silva-francisco

The surname Da Silva Francisco is a Portuguese name that consists of three distinct parts: Da Silva and Francisco, both patronymic surnames, and Francisco being a given name as well.

The original form of the surname Da Silva indicates that it was originally a nickname for someone who came from the region or town named Silva, or was associated with something related to forests (silva in Portuguese). The prefix "da" is an article meaning 'of' or 'from'.

On the other hand, Francisco is a Christian name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the Latin Franciscus, which means 'Frenchman', but also could be associated with 'free man' or 'wild one' in ancient Gaulish. The surname Francisco might have been given to someone who was born in France or had some connection to it.

Overall, the surname Da Silva Francisco suggests a family that originated from the Silva region and later adopted the Christian name Francisco as part of their identity.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-silva-francisco

The surname da-Silva-Francisco is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, it ranks as one of the most common surnames due to its historical origin from Portugal. A significant number of people with this last name can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking African countries like Angola and Mozambique, which were colonized by Portugal for several centuries. The name's distribution also extends to other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where individuals of Brazilian and Portuguese descent have migrated. Additionally, there are small communities with the da-Silva-Francisco surname in countries like South Africa, where it is likely linked to historical Portuguese immigration or intermarriage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Da-silva-francisco

The surname Da Silva Francisco has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variants include:

1. DaSilvaFrancisco
2. DaSilva-Francisco
3. Da Silva Francisco
4. da SIlva Francisco
5. D’Silva Francisco
6. Da Silveira Francischetto (a Brazilian variant)
7. da Silva e Francisco (a Portuguese variation indicating "da Silva and Francisco")
8. De Silveira Francisco (with the French article "de" instead of "da")
9. Dasilvafrancisco (without spaces or periods)
10. DaSilvaFrnacisco (with alternate spellings for "Francisco")

These variations may appear in various official documents, social media profiles, and genealogical research. It's essential to consider regional dialects and historical context when searching for individuals with this surname.

Famous people with the last name Da-silva-francisco

Notable individuals with the last name da Silva Francisco include:

1. José Eduardo dos Santos da Silva Francisco (born 1942), who served as Angola's President from 1979 to 2017, being one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.
2. Alexandre da Silva Francisco (born 1986), a Portuguese footballer commonly known as Alex, who played for clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain.
3. Carlos Eduardo da Silva Francisco (born 1955), a Brazilian author, journalist, and professor, best known for his novel "O Auto da Compadecida," which won the 2004 Jabuti Literature Prize.
4. Luiz Felipe Scolari da Silva Francisco (born 1948), commonly known as Felipão, is a former Brazilian football manager and player who led Brazil to World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002.
5. João da Silva Francisco (born 1963), a Mozambican politician, served as the country's Minister of Defense from 2005 to 2015, and is currently the Minister of Interior Security.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-silva-francisco

The da Silva Francisco lineage originates from Portugal, where the surname "da Silva" denotes a person of noble descent and "Francisco" is a common given name. The da Silva family has been traced back to the 13th century, with their roots in Minho, a region in northern Portugal. Over time, members of this family migrated to various parts of the world due to historical events such as the Age of Discoveries and religious persecution during the Inquisition. The da Silva Francisco branch is believed to have originated from Brazil, where many descendants still reside today. Notable individuals with the da Silva Francisco name include Portuguese painter José de Almeida da Silva Franco and football player João Pedro da Silva Francisco. Genealogical research continues to uncover more about this fascinating family history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "da-silva-francisco"
• 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

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