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Last Name Domingues

What is the origin of the last name Domingues?

The surname Domingues originates from Portugal. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name Domingos, which means "of Dominic" in Portuguese. This name was given to children born on the feast day of Saint Dominic, who was a prominent Catholic priest and friar in the 13th century. The surname spread throughout Portugal and its colonies, including Brazil, where it is one of the most common last names today.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Domingues

The meaning and origin of the last name Domingues

The surname Domingues is of Portuguese origin, derived from the given name Domingos, which itself comes from the Latin Dominicus. This name was bestowed upon individuals born on the feast day of Saint Dominic, celebrated on August 8th, or those who were named in honor of this saint. The name Dominicus means "of the Lord," reflecting the high regard and devotion held for Saint Dominic. Over time, as Portuguese immigrants spread across the globe, the surname Domingues became common in various regions, particularly in Brazil, Portugal's former colony. Today, it remains a popular surname among Portuguese-speaking communities worldwide, including Brazil, Portugal, and their diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Domingues

The surname Domingues is predominantly distributed across Portugal and Brazil, with significant concentrations in both countries. In Portugal, it's particularly common in the northern regions, such as Minho, Douro, and Aveiro, reflecting historical migration patterns from those areas. In Brazil, Domingues is one of the most frequent surnames in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Paraíba, due to the Portuguese colonization and settlement in the Northeast region. Smaller clusters of individuals with the name can also be found in other parts of Brazil, as well as in countries with a large Brazilian diaspora, such as the United States, Spain, France, and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Domingues

The surname Domingues has several spelling variants, reflecting its common occurrence and historic regional variations within Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries. The most conventional forms include Dominguez, Domínguez, Domingues, and Domingués. These versions may have slight differences in orthography due to dialectical or transcriptional influences. In addition, the name can also appear as Domingue, Dominque, Domingueux, or Dominguey, which are phonetic adaptations of the original Portuguese spelling. The name's origin can be traced back to the medieval period in Portugal and is a common patronymic derived from the given name Domingo, meaning "lord" or "master."

Famous people with the last name Domingues

Notable individuals sharing the surname Domingues include:

1. Alexandre Abreu Domingues, a renowned Cuban musician, composer, and bandleader who specializes in traditional Cuban music.
2. Catarina Martins Domingues, a Portuguese actress best known for her roles in "Morangos com Açucar" (Sweet Lisbon) and "A Família Serrado".
3. Carlos Alexandre Domingues, a Brazilian actor, voice actor, and presenter, known for his work on TV Globo, such as "Verão Brasileiro" and "Malhação".
4. Diogo Jota Domingues Moura, a professional footballer who plays for English club Liverpool F.C. and the Portugal national team.
5. Fabio Alves Domingues, known by his stage name Pabllo Vittar, a Brazilian transgender singer, songwriter, and drag queen who rose to prominence in the LGBT community and mainstream pop music.
6. Joaquim Francisco de Oliveira Domingues, also known as Quim, a former Portuguese footballer who played as a defender for clubs such as Sporting CP, Porto, and Benfica.
7. José Domingos do Nascimento Ferreira (José Domingos), a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as the 32nd President of Brazil from 1979 to 1985.
8. Luís Felipe Domingues, a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for English club West Bromwich Albion F.C.
9. Manuel António Vitorino Domingues Gomes, also known as Mário Vítorino, a Portuguese politician who served as the Commissioner-General of the International Organization for Migration from 1998 to 2006.

Genealogical research on the last name Domingues

The surname Domingues is of Portuguese origin, derived from the given name Domingos, which means "of Dominic" in Portuguese, referring to St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican Order. The name first appeared in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages and spread throughout Portugal and its colonies, including Brazil. In Brazil, the Domingues family is believed to have originated from Minas Gerais, where they were likely involved in the gold rush of the 18th century. Notable figures with the surname include the Brazilian writer João Guimarães Rosa and the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Domingues family is widespread across both Portugal and Brazil, as well as other parts of the world where Portuguese immigrants have settled. Research continues to uncover more about the origins, migrations, and genealogical links among individuals bearing this surname.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

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 : 10 June 2025

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