Last Name Da-silva-ribeiro

The surname "da Silva Ribeiro" is a Portuguese composite surname, which means it consists of multiple ancestral or occupational names. The component "da Silva" is a common Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "of Silva," with Silva being a toponymic surname originating from various locations in Portugal, particularly in the Minho region. The name Silva comes from the Latin silva meaning "forest." The second part of the name, "Ribeiro," is another common Portuguese surname derived from the word rio (river) or riba (bank). It was often given to people who lived near rivers or worked in river-related professions. Therefore, the combined name "da Silva Ribeiro" suggests that its bearer may have roots in different regions of Portugal and could have had ancestors who lived near rivers or forests. However, it's important to note that specific origin details might vary for each family carrying this name.

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

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

The surname da Silva Ribeiro is a Portuguese composite name, originating from two distinct elements: "da Silva" and "Ribeiro". The name "da Silva" is a common Portuguese patronymic, meaning "of the silviculturist", as it derives from the occupation of "silva," or forest, and the suffix "-de" or "-da," indicating possession. Over time, this surname has been Latinized to "de Sylva" in some records.

The term "Ribeiro," on the other hand, means "river bank" or "riparian" in Portuguese, often referring to someone who lived by a river. Together, da Silva Ribeiro suggests an individual originating from a location near a forested river, although precise lineage details may vary among different families carrying this name. The compound name is relatively common in Portugal and its former colonies, such as Brazil, reflecting the country's rich historical heritage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-silva-ribeiro

Da Silva Ribeiro is a Portuguese surname that consists of two elements: Da Silva, meaning "of the silveira" or "of the silver," and Ribeiro, meaning "of the river." This surname is most commonly found in Portugal and Brazil, reflecting the historical connection between these two countries.

In Portugal, Da Silva Ribeiro is one of the most frequent surnames, particularly in the northern regions such as Minho and Trás-os-Montes, as well as in the central districts of Coimbra and Viseu. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 100 most common surnames, with a significant concentration in the southeastern states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais.

The geographical distribution of Da Silva Ribeiro outside Portugal and Brazil is relatively limited but can be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau, due to historical immigration patterns from these regions. Additionally, some individuals with this surname can also be found in other parts of the world where Portuguese-speaking immigrants have settled, such as North America and Europe.

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

The surname Da Silva Ribeiro has several variations and spellings due to regional differences and translation conventions over time. Some possible variations include:

1. DaSilvaRibeiro (all caps)
2. da-Silva-Ribeiro (hyphenated with dashes)
3. daSilvaRibeiro (camel case without hyphens)
4. dASilvaribeiro (alternative capitalization)
5. Da Silva Ribiero (without the hyphen between Silva and Ribeiro)
6. DaSilva Ribeiro (hyphenated with a space)
7. daSilvaRibiero (no hyphen, no space between Silva and Ribeiro)
8. D'A-Silva-Ribeiro (using an apostrophe instead of dashes to denote the hyphenation)
9. DaSilva-Ribeiro (hyphenated with a solid hyphen)
10. daSilva_Ribeiro (hyphenated with an underscore)

While these variations exist, it is important to note that the standardized version in Portugal would be "Da Silva Ribeiro," with no hyphens and spaces between the components. However, other regions or individuals may use different spellings.

Famous people with the last name Da-silva-ribeiro

Notable individuals bearing the surname Da Silva Ribeiro include:

1. Carlos da Silva Ribeiro (born 1976), a Brazilian professional footballer who played for several European clubs, including Porto and Chelsea.
2. Fernanda Maria da Silva Ribeiro (born 1985), a Brazilian actress known for her roles in television series such as Malhação and A Favorita.
3. Helio Castroneves da Silva Ribeiro (born 1975), a Brazilian professional racing driver, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, and Dancing with the Stars champion.
4. José Eduardo da Silva Ribeiro (1892–1963), a Brazilian composer, best known for his Sinfonia do Amazonas.
5. José Maria da Silva Ribeiro (born 1952), a Brazilian Roman Catholic bishop who serves as the current Archbishop of Olinda and Recife since 2014.
6. João da Silva Ribeiro (1931–2017), a Brazilian military officer, diplomat, and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1986 during the military dictatorship era.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-silva-ribeiro

The surname da-Silva-Ribeiro is a composite Portuguese name, derived from two common Portuguese surnames: da Silva and Ribeiro. The name da Silva originates from the medieval town of Sao Lourenco de Siva in northern Portugal and was granted as a title or nickname to various individuals over the centuries. Ribeiro, on the other hand, is associated with the occupations of miller or guardian of a river bank, deriving from the Latin 'ribis' meaning 'river'. The combined surname da-Silva-Ribeiro suggests that an individual bearing this name was either a miller or guardian who was granted the title of da Silva. This surname is relatively common in Portugal and its former colonies, particularly Brazil, where it may have been adopted by descendants of Portuguese immigrants.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "da-silva-ribeiro"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 31 July 2025

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