Last Name De-Sousa

The surname "De-Sousa" is a Portuguese patronymic surname, derived from the given name "Sousa." In Portuguese-speaking countries like Portugal and Brazil, it is common for surnames to be patronymics or matronymics, meaning they indicate the son or descendant of a particular person. The suffix "De" in this case indicates "of" or "son of," so "De-Sousa" literally translates to "son of Sousa." The name "Sousa" is believed to have originally meant 'goat' in an ancient Iberian language, and may have been given as a nickname due to someone having goat-like characteristics or owning a goat.

Learn more about the origin of the last name De-Sousa

The meaning and origin of the last name De-Sousa

The surname De-Sousa is of Portuguese origin. It translates to "of the house" or "from the source," indicating that its original bearer was either from a specific place (in this case, a house) or had some association with a source, such as a well or spring. The term 'De' is a common prefix in Portuguese surnames, signifying that the family originated from a particular location. Over time, many families with this surname have migrated and settled across various regions worldwide, particularly in countries that were once colonies of Portugal, such as Brazil, Angola, India, and Goa. This has resulted in a diverse distribution of the De-Sousa name across the globe.

Geographical distribution of the last name De-Sousa

The last name De-Sousa is predominantly distributed across Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. It also has significant presence in countries that have historical ties with these regions, such as Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Goa (India). The name is also found among the Portuguese diaspora communities in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Africa. In these countries, individuals with the last name De-Sousa often originated from Portugal or were descendants of immigrants from the above-mentioned regions. It's worth noting that surnames are often carried by ethnic groups, so the geographical distribution of De-Sousa can also be interpreted as an indicator of the historical and cultural dispersion of Portuguese-speaking communities worldwide.

Variants and spellings of the last name De-Sousa

The surname De-Sousa can have several variations and spellings due to different translations, regional dialects, and historical influences. Here are some of the common forms:

1. De Sousa - This is the standard Portuguese spelling, where "de" means "of" or "from," and "Sousa" is a place name, indicating that the individual's ancestors came from the town of Sousa in Portugal.

2. De Souza - Another common variation, this spelling often appears when the surname has been transcribed from Portuguese to other languages, such as Spanish or English. The "z" can be used instead of an "s" to reflect these language differences.

3. Da Sousa - In some cases, the article "da" (meaning "the" in Portuguese) may appear before the surname. This is often used when a woman marries and keeps her maiden name but adds the article "da" to indicate that she is a woman.

4. D’Souza - This spelling is found among families that emigrated from Goa, India, where Portuguese is one of the official languages. The apostrophe before the "S" may be used as a way to reflect the pronunciation in various regional dialects.

5. De Souza-García - When a person with a Portuguese surname marries into a Spanish family, it's common for them to combine their last names. In this example, De Souza and García are joined together.

Famous people with the last name De-Sousa

Prominent individuals with the surname De Sousa include:

1. **Luis de Sousa** (1490–1542), Portuguese explorer who participated in Vasco da Gama's voyage to India and later served as governor of Goa.

2. **Francisco de Souza** (1542–1607), a 16th-century Portuguese nobleman, diplomat, and soldier who played key roles in the events leading up to the Battle of Alcácer Quibir and was present at the battle itself.

3. **Dionísio de Sousa** (1580–1642), a 17th-century Portuguese colonial administrator and explorer who served as Governor of Brazil from 1623 to 1629.

4. **João de Souza Barroso** (1759–1816), a Portuguese naval officer and politician, who was instrumental in establishing the Banda Oriental colony for Portugal in present-day Uruguay.

5. **Nuno José Severiano Ribeiro de Sousa e Melo** (1840–1889), better known as Viscount of Ouro Preto, a Brazilian statesman and military leader who served as the 7th President of Brazil from 1882 to 1885.

6. **Aníbal de Sousa Santos** (born 1947), a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a striker for Benfica, Real Madrid and the Portugal national team. He won four consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid in the 1950s.

7. **Luis Filipe de Sousa** (born 1983), professionally known as LF Dejos, a Portuguese DJ, record producer, and remixer. He is best known for his work with trance music.

Genealogical research on the last name De-Sousa

The surname De-Sousa is of Portuguese origin and is commonly found among people from Portugal, Brazil, Goa (India), Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking countries. It is derived from the word "sousa," which refers to a type of wild boar in Portuguese. The first recorded use of the name dates back to medieval times in Portugal, with various branches emerging over time. Some notable families include the De Sousas of Guimarães, considered one of the oldest noble families in Portugal, and the De Sousa family of Goa, who played significant roles in Indian history as rulers during Portuguese colonial rule. The name is also prevalent among Sephardic Jews, who were forcibly converted or fled from Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition and resettled throughout the Portuguese Empire, adopting local variants such as De Souza, D'Souza, DeSousa, etc. Today, there are numerous variations of this name worldwide, reflecting its widespread distribution and historical significance.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "De-Sousa"
• 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 : 15 June 2025

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