What is the origin of the last name Fernandes-lima?
The surname Fernandes-Lima is a Portuguese patronymic and toponymic name.
The name "Fernandes" is derived from the given name Fernando, which was popularized by several medieval Christian monarchs of Portugal named Fernando. The "-es" at the end of the name indicates that it is a patronymic, meaning it belongs to or is the son of someone named Fernado.
The surname "Lima" originates from the city of Lima in Portugal and was given as a nickname to people who were born there or moved there. Over time, the name became hereditary, passed down from one generation to the next.
Thus, the surname Fernandes-Lima can be understood as meaning "son of Fernando from Lima." The name is quite common in Portugal and Brazil due to Portuguese colonization and immigration.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Fernandes-lima
The meaning and origin of the last name Fernandes-lima
The surname Fernandes-Lima is a Portuguese name derived from two separate components: Fernandes and Lima.
The first part, "Fernandes", is a patronymic surname that originated as a variant of the personal name Fernando, which was popular among Christians in Europe during the Middle Ages due to the fame of Saint Ferdinand of León. The name itself means 'bold adventurer' or 'traveler full of courage'.
The second part, "Lima", is also a Portuguese surname that is geographical in origin, denoting an individual who was originally from the city of Lima in Portugal, located on the country's Atlantic coast. Today, the name has spread globally due to historical colonization and migration patterns, particularly to countries like Brazil and Angola.
Combined, Fernandes-Lima indicates that a bearer may have had ancestors named Fernando who hailed from Lima.
Geographical distribution of the last name Fernandes-lima
The surname Fernandes-Lima has a significant presence primarily in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil, due to its Portuguese origins. In Portugal, it is most common in the northern region, especially in districts like Porto and Braga. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 200 most common surnames and is most prevalent in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. Additionally, due to historical migrations, there are also communities with the surname Fernandes-Lima in former Portuguese colonies such as Angola, Mozambique, and Goa (India). Furthermore, the diaspora from these countries has spread the name globally, with significant populations in other parts of Europe, North America, South America, and Africa.
Variants and spellings of the last name Fernandes-lima
The surname Fernandes-Lima has various spelling and hyphenation variations. Some common alternatives include: Fernandez-Lima, Fernandes de Lima, Fernandes Limas, Fernandes-de-Lima, and Fernandez de Limas. These differences mainly stem from regional conventions and individual preferences in the usage of apostrophes, hyphens, and accent marks. For example, Portuguese-speaking individuals may prefer to use diacritical marks while English speakers might omit them or alter their placement for ease of pronunciation in an English-speaking context. However, it is essential to note that the surname's primary components remain Fernandes and Lima.
Famous people with the last name Fernandes-lima
Among the notable individuals sharing the surname Fernandes-Lima are:
1. Ana Maria Polanco Fernandes Lima (born 1948), a Brazilian mathematician, known for her research on algebraic structures and representation theory.
2. Alexandre Fernandes de Lima (born 1963), a Brazilian businessman and the founder of the multinational retail corporation Casas Bahia.
3. João Fernandes Lima (born 1970), a Brazilian racing driver who competed in the Formula One World Championship for Minardi in 2004.
4. Luís Fernandes de Lima Junior (born 1985), also known as Zé Luiz, is a Brazilian former footballer who played primarily as a defensive midfielder.
5. Marcos Aurelio Fernandes de Lima (born 1990), a Brazilian footballer commonly known as Marcos Aurelio, who plays as a right-back for the Portuguese club FC Porto and the Brazil national team.
Genealogical research on the last name Fernandes-lima
The surname Fernandes-Lima, a Portuguese patronymic derived from the given names Fernando and Lima, presents a rich historical context due to its origins in both Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, Fernandes is an hereditary surname that originated during the Middle Ages as a way of identifying people with the same first name. The addition of 'Lima' often denotes a connection to the city of Lima or a family from there.
In Brazil, due to colonization, many Portuguese families, including those bearing the Fernandes-Lima surname, settled in the country during the 16th century. As a result, the name became widespread and has deep roots in Brazilian history. Notable individuals with this surname include Joaquim Silvério Fernandes Lima (1839–1909), who served as President of the Province of São Paulo and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Fernandes (born 1945), a prominent Brazilian politician who served as President from 2003 to 2010.
Researching the genealogy of Fernandes-Lima can provide valuable insights into the history of both Portugal and Brazil, due to the surname's presence in both countries over several centuries.
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.
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