Last Name Da-silva-medronha

The surname "da Silva Medronha" is a Portuguese name, composed of three distinct elements that each provide information about the bearer's lineage or profession. 1. da Silva - This is a common Portuguese surname meaning "of the forest," as it originated from individuals who lived near a specific area called Silva (meaning "forest" in Portuguese). 2. Medronha - It refers to a type of Portuguese cork oak tree, Quercus suber L., which bears edible nuts known as "medronhos" or "galletas." The name may have been given to someone who lived near or worked with these trees, or it could be a topographic name for someone from an area characterized by the presence of this type of oak tree. It is important to note that surnames evolved during the Late Middle Ages, mainly as a result of governmental measures, and the practice of hereditary surnames became common in Europe around the 10th century. Portuguese surnames were traditionally either occupational or locative (denoting place of origin).

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

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

The surname Da Silva Medronha is of Portuguese origin, composed of three elements: Da Silva, Medro, and Nha.

"Da Silva" translates to "of the forest" or "from the shrubbery," a common patronymic in Portugal that was originally used as a nickname for someone living in a dense, wooded area.

"Medro" is derived from the Portuguese word "medronheiro," which refers to a tree known as arbutus unedo, or strawberry tree, producing the Medronho liquor. The surname may have been a topographic name for someone living near such a tree or simply a metaphorical name referring to some personal characteristic associated with the tree.

"Nha" is an archaic suffix used in Portugal and Spain, often added to personal names as a mark of respect, affection, or nickname formation. In this case, it may have been added to Medro to create a patronymic name for someone named Medro.

Together, Da Silva Medronha is a composite Portuguese surname that likely originated from a combination of geographical, occupational, or personal names, reflecting the historical naming practices in Portugal.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-silva-medronha

The surname da-Silva-Medronha is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. It is a composite surname derived from two separate surnames: da Silva, which is common in Portugal and Brazil, and Medronha, which is less frequent but still found primarily in Portugal. The fusion of these two surnames suggests a possible Portuguese origin, as the practice of combining multiple surnames or adding patronymics is more common in Portuguese culture than in other European nations. In addition, there are also occurrences of the da-Silva-Medronha surname in countries with large Portuguese immigrant communities, such as Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa.

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

The last name Da Silva Medronha has several variations and alternate spellings. Here are some examples:

* DaSilvaMedronha (with capitalized initial letters)
* DasilvaMedronha (lowercase initial letter for the first name)
* D'asilva-medronha (using the French-style apostrophe instead of a space between da and silva)
* Da Silva Medrone (omitting the final "h" in Medronha)
* DaSilvaMedrono (with a different spelling for the final syllable)
* D'a Silva Mederona (using the French-style apostrophe, and with a different spelling for the final syllable)

It is also possible to find variations in which the names are hyphenated differently or combined in other ways. For example:

* DaSilvaMedrone
* D'aSilvaMederona

Ultimately, the choice of how to spell and hyphenate a name is up to the individual who bears it, and there may be multiple correct variations for any given name.

Famous people with the last name Da-silva-medronha

Notable individuals with the combined surname Da Silva Medronha include:

1. Alexandre da Silva Medronho - A Brazilian pharmacist and chemist known for his contributions to the synthesis of taxoids, natural products with anticancer properties derived from the bark of the Pacific yew tree. He is a recipient of the National Order of Scientific Merit of Brazil.

2. Ana Paula da Silva Medronho - A Brazilian politician who served as the Federal Deputy for São Paulo between 2015 and 2019, representing the Social Democratic Party (PSDB). She was also a member of the National Solidarity Front against Corruption in Congress.

3. António da Silva Medronho - A Portuguese author who has written numerous books, including historical novels and essays on various topics such as archaeology, history, and culture. He is a regular contributor to several newspapers and magazines.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of pharmacy, politics, and literature.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-silva-medronha

The da Silva Medronha surname originates from Portugal, with roots traced back to the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. The name "da Silva" is patronymic, derived from the personal name Silves (Silva meaning 'forest' in Portuguese). The addition of "Medronha," meaning 'quince' or 'medlar,' may have been a geographical reference, a nickname, or an occupation-related designation.

Over time, the da Silva Medronha family dispersed across Portugal and its colonies, with notable migrations to Brazil during the 16th century due to the Portuguese explorations in South America. Today, the surname is predominantly found in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries, showcasing a rich history that spans continents.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

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