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Last Name De-paiva-ferreira

What is the origin of the last name De-paiva-ferreira?

The surname "de-paiva-ferreira" appears to be a Portuguese composite surname derived from two separate elements. 1. "de Paiva": This part of the surname suggests it was originally a noble title, "de," meaning "of" or "from," followed by "Paiva," which is the name of a town and river in northern Portugal. This indicates that the bearer of this surname may have originated from that region. 2. "Ferreira": This element represents an occupational name, referring to someone who was a blacksmith or iron worker. The term "ferreiro" means blacksmith in Portuguese, and "-a" or "-eira" is the feminine and plural suffix respectively. Therefore, "Ferreira" indicates that the bearer or their ancestor was associated with this profession. Overall, the surname de-paiva-ferreira could be interpreted as someone originally from Paiva (the town or region) who may have been a blacksmith or had some connection to the ironworking trade in the past.

Learn more about the origin of the last name De-paiva-ferreira

The meaning and origin of the last name De-paiva-ferreira

The surname De Paiva Ferreira is a composite Portuguese patronymic name derived from two distinct elements: "Paiva" and "Ferreira". The name "Paiva" originates from a river named Paiva in northern Portugal, which was the site of several medieval settlements. As a result, the surname likely comes from a family that resided near this river. "Ferreira", on the other hand, is a common Portuguese patronymic surname that derives from the Old Occitan word "ferraria" or the Medieval Latin term "fabrica ferrarium", both meaning "blacksmith's forge". Thus, De Paiva Ferreira likely denotes a family with roots in smithing near the River Paiva in Portugal. Over time and through migration, variations of this name have emerged globally among Portuguese descendants.

Geographical distribution of the last name De-paiva-ferreira

The surname De Paiva Ferreira is predominantly found in Brazil, particularly in the Northeast region, with significant concentrations in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba. This is likely due to the origins of the name, as it suggests Portuguese ancestry. The name De Paiva Ferreira may have originated from the fusion of two separate surnames, De Paiva (of Paiva) and Ferreira (iron worker), both common Portuguese names. As a result of Brazil's history of Portuguese colonization and the subsequent migration to other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola and Mozambique, De Paiva Ferreira is also found in these African nations. Additionally, due to Brazilian migration to other parts of the world, particularly the United States and Canada, the surname has dispersed globally but remains most concentrated in Brazilian communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name De-paiva-ferreira

The surname De Paiva Ferreira has several variations and spellings, depending on regional dialects and individual preferences. Some common variants include:

1. Da Paiva Ferreira - This version follows the standard Portuguese rule for joining two surnames with a "da" in between, as "de" indicates nobility and "da" is used when referring to a place of origin or an occupation.
2. DePaivaFerreira - An English-style variation where compound surnames are written without spaces or hyphens.
3. De Paiva Ferreira - A version that follows the standard Portuguese rule for joining two surnames with no space between them, but uses the spelling "Ferreira" instead of "Ferreira".
4. DePaivaFerreira - Another English-style variation, using the same compound name structure and spelling "Ferreira".
5. Paiva de Ferreira - This version separates the two surnames with a preposition "de", which means "of" in Portuguese. It may also be used when referring to someone who is from a certain location or who holds a title.
6. Paiva de Ferreira - A potential variant with an alternate spelling for the first name, although it is less common than the forms listed above.

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About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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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