Last Name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The surname "da Silva Valera Mendes" is a composite Portuguese surname, meaning it is composed of multiple elements that were commonly used as surnames in Portugal. Here's a breakdown of its components: 1. Da Silva: This is a very common Portuguese surname, originating from the medieval practice of granting lands or titles to individuals by the king, followed by the phrase "de silva" (of the forest or wood). 2. Valera: This part may be related to a personal name "Valério", which was quite popular during the Roman occupation of Portugal. However, it could also have other origins, such as geographical or occupational names. 3. Mendes: This is another common Portuguese surname that has its roots in medieval times. It originally referred to someone from Minho, a region in northern Portugal, or someone who was associated with the monastic order of Saint Benedict (Mendicantes). The combination of these elements over time would have resulted in the formation of the surname "da Silva Valera Mendes". It's important to note that Portuguese surnames often evolved over generations and may not always have a direct connection to their bearers' original family names or personal background.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The meaning and origin of the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The surname "da Silva Valera Mendes" is a composite Portuguese name derived from multiple components, each representing a distinct lineage or occupation. The name "Silva" originates from the Latin "silva," meaning forest, and was often given to individuals who lived near or worked in forests. "Valera" might have its roots in Galicia, Spain, and could be associated with a place-name or an occupational title. "Mendes," like Silva, is also of topographical origin, deriving from the Portuguese word for "hills." This surname suggests that its bearer may have ancestry from different regions, including Portugal and possibly Galicia, Spain. Over time, various branches of this family may have adopted additional names or variations due to geographic displacement or other factors.

Geographical distribution of the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The surname Da-Silva-Valera-Mendes is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal, due to its combined composition of common Portuguese last names. Da Silva, Valera, and Mendes are among the most frequent surnames in both countries. In Brazil, a significant number of people with this name can be traced to regions such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Alagoas, where African influences have historically contributed to a high degree of surname diversity. In Portugal, the name is more dispersed across various regions, but is particularly common in the north, especially in Porto and Braga. Additionally, due to immigration, people with this surname can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola and Mozambique, as well as in Portuguese-speaking communities in other parts of the world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The surname Da Silva Valera Mendes has several variations due to differences in spelling conventions and regional pronunciation. Here are some potential variations:

1. DaSilvaValeraMendes - This is the name with all capital letters and hyphens, which is a common convention for surnames.
2. DaSilvaValeramendes - This version omits the hyphen after Valera, which might be used by individuals who prefer not to use hyphens or by those from regions where hyphens are less commonly used in surnames.
3. DASILVAVALERAMENDES - Some individuals may capitalize the first letter of each word for a more formal appearance.
4. Dasilva Valeramendes - This version omits the initial capitalization and uses spaces between words, which is a common convention in some countries.
5. Da Silva Valera Mendes Júnior or Da Silva Valera Mendes Sr. - These variations indicate a junior or senior relationship to another person with the same surname.
6. Davalosilva-valeramendes - This spelling may result from errors in transcription or differences in orthography in various languages.
7. De Silva Valera Mendes - This is an anglicized version of the name, often used when a name is transcribed into English from another language.

Famous people with the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

Notable individuals with the combined surname Da Silva Valera Mendes include:

1. João Carlos de Souza da Silva Valera Mendes (born 1986), also known as Jô, a Brazilian footballer who played for several clubs including Arsenal and Olympique Marseille.
2. Luiz Da Silva Valera Mendes (born 1987), a Brazilian volleyball player who won Olympic gold in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games.
3. Bruno da Silva Valera Mendes (born 1994), a Brazilian footballer who plays as a forward for Athletico Paranaense and the Brazil national team.
4. Carlos Da Silva Valera Mendes, a Portuguese-Angolan economist and politician, currently serving as the Angola's Minister of Economy and Planning.
5. Miguel da Silva Valera Mendes (born 1972), a Brazilian musician who is the guitarist for the band Titãn.

Genealogical research on the last name Da-silva-valera-mendes

The da Silva Valera Mendes surname is a combination of three Portuguese elements: da Silva (from silvaticus, meaning "of the forest"), Valera (diminutive of Valerio), and Mendes (a common occupational name derived from mendigo, meaning "beggar" or "penitent").

The da Silva lineage originated in the Iberian Peninsula, with early records dating back to the 13th century. The Valera branch can be traced to Galicia in northwestern Spain during the late Middle Ages. The Mendes family is believed to have been of Sephardic Jewish descent, forced to convert to Christianity during the Inquisition and adopting Christian surnames like Mendes as a result.

In the 16th century, many Portuguese families, including those with the da Silva Valera Mendes name, migrated to Brazil as part of colonization efforts. Over time, various branches of this family dispersed across South America and beyond, establishing new settlements and contributing to the cultural diversity of numerous countries. Today, descendants of the da Silva Valera Mendes surname can be found in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other parts of the world.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "da-silva-valera-mendes"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

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