Last Name Da-silva-machado-dos-santos

The surname "da Silva Machado dos Santos" is a Portuguese patronymic and locative surname. The "da Silva" part indicates that the original bearer was someone's son (Silva being a common place name in Portugal, possibly referring to a location). The "-Machado" suggests that at some point, another person named Machado became part of the family (also a common surname in Portugal, derived from the Portuguese word for "woodcutter"). The "-dos Santos" is also a common Portuguese surname. It means "of the Saints," and it could have been added to distinguish the family from others with similar names or as a religious reference. The "dos" indicates possession, indicating that the Silvas belonged to the Saints in some way. This combination of surnames reflects a common trend in Portuguese naming practices where families took on multiple surnames over generations, often reflecting changes in family composition or geographical location.

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

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

The surname Da Silva Machado dos Santos is a Portuguese combination of several patronymic and geographical names.

"Da Silva" translates to "of the silver" and is one of the most common Portuguese surnames, originating from the medieval practice of granting landed estates named for the mineral "silva" (silver) to those who served the crown loyally.

"Machado" means "wood-cutter," a profession-based surname. In medieval times, it was common for people to take on occupational names to distinguish themselves.

"Dos Santos" translates to "of the saints," another common Portuguese surname that may have originated from those who lived near churches or monasteries dedicated to various saints.

The multiple elements in this name suggest that it was likely formed through a series of marriages and name combinations over generations, with each partner bringing their own family name into the mix. The final component "dos Santos" could have been added later as a way to connect to a different family or religious tradition. This surname is common in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil, reflecting the historical migration patterns of the Portuguese empire.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-silva-machado-dos-santos

The surname da Silva Machado dos Santos is primarily distributed across Portuguese-speaking countries, with significant concentrations in Brazil and Portugal, due to their historical ties and shared linguistic heritage. In Brazil, it is among the most common surnames, reflecting its Portuguese roots. Within Portugal, the name can also be found, though less frequently compared to Brazil. Other countries where the name has been documented include Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, due to historical migration patterns from Portugal. It's important to note that surname distribution can vary widely among different regions within these countries, as well as across generations. The name da Silva Machado dos Santos is a composite of four common Portuguese surnames, each with their own unique geographical distributions and histories.

Variants and spellings of the last name Da-silva-machado-dos-santos

The surname Da Silva Machado dos Santos has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transliteration. Here are some possible versions:

* De Sousa da Silva Machado dos Santos (with "Sousa" instead of "da Silva")
* Da Silva Machado das Santos (omitting the apostrophe after "dos")
* D'Silva-Machado-Dos-Santos (with hyphens and an apostrophe)
* Da-Silva-Machado-Dos-Santos (with hyphens but no apostrophe)
* Dascilvamachadosantos (a phonetic spelling)
* Davisilva-machadodossantos (with a different order of the first and second surnames)

It is also possible to find variations in which one or more of the elements are shortened, such as:

* Da Silva Machado (omitting "dos Santos")
* D'Silva-Machado (omitting "dos Santos" and the apostrophe)
* Dasilva (shortening "Da Silva")
* Davismachado (shortening "Da Silva Machado")
* Santos (if "dos Santos" is used as a separate surname instead of a part of the compound surname)

It's important to note that people with this name might use different spellings, and there may not be a standardized version.

Famous people with the last name Da-silva-machado-dos-santos

Notable individuals with the surname Da Silva Machado dos Santos include:

1. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (born 1945), Brazilian politician who served as President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2011 to 2016.

2. Eduardo Santos (1853-1932), Colombian politician who served as the President of Colombia from 1930 to 1932, hailing from a prominent family with the last name Da Silva y Machado, a branch of which changed their surname to Santos.

3. Ana Luísa da Silva Machado dos Santos (born 1985), Brazilian volleyball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

While these individuals share a similar family name, it is important to note that their connections are primarily through historical or geographical ties rather than direct familial relationships.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-silva-machado-dos-santos

The surname da-Silva-Machado-dos-Santos is a composite Portuguese name derived from various elements that signify different aspects of an individual's family heritage or lineage.

The primary component, "da Silva," is a common Portuguese patronymic meaning 'of the forest,' and has roots traced back to medieval Iberia. The second part, "Machado," refers to a wooden mallet used for agriculture work, indicating an occupation of the ancestor who bore this name.

"Dos Santos" is another frequent Portuguese patronymic that translates to 'of the saints,' implying that an ancestor was named after a saint or had a close affiliation with Christianity. The hyphenated form in the given surname suggests that these three distinct family names were combined through marriage or other familial unions over generations.

While specific lineage information for this particular family is not available, it's clear that the name da-Silva-Machado-dos-Santos carries a rich historical background and heritage rooted in medieval Portugal.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "da-silva-machado-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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends