Last Name Floriano-da-silva

The surname Floriano-da-Silva is a combination of two Portuguese elements: "Floriano," which is derived from the Latin "Florus" and means "flowery," and "da Silva," a common Portuguese patronymic meaning "son of Silva." The name Silva originates from the Latin word for forest, silva, and was often given to people who lived near or worked in forests. The name Floriano-da-Silva is commonly found among Portuguese speakers, particularly in Brazil, due to Portugal's colonization of Brazil and the subsequent migration of Portuguese settlers. However, it's important to note that the specific origin of any individual family with this surname may vary depending on their unique history and lineage.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Floriano-da-silva

The meaning and origin of the last name Floriano-da-silva

The surname Floriano-da-Silva is a Portuguese patronymic name with two distinct components: "Floriano" and "da Silva."

The personal name "Floriano" originates from the Latin "flos," meaning flower, and "ianus," referring to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Therefore, Floriano signifies one who is like a blooming flower.

"Da Silva" translates to "of the silversmith" or "of the silvius forest." It's a common Portuguese surname derived from an occupation or geographical location. During medieval times, silversmiths were often associated with the silvius forest because of the abundance of trees required for fueling the craft.

Combined, Floriano-da-Silva represents someone who was perhaps known as a blooming, flourishing silversmith or lived near such an individual. This name is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries and among their diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Floriano-da-silva

The surname Floriano-da-Silva is primarily concentrated in Portuguese-speaking countries due to its Portuguese origins. In Brazil, it is one of the most common Portuguese surnames and can be found across various regions, with high concentrations in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Pernambuco. Outside Brazil, it is also prevalent in Portugal, particularly in the northern region of Trás-os-Montes. The name has also been dispersed to other countries due to migration, such as Angola and Mozambique, former Portuguese colonies where the surname can be found among the Portuguese-descended population. In summary, Floriano-da-Silva is a predominantly Brazilian and Portuguese surname with significant presence in some African countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Floriano-da-silva

The last name Floriano da Silva can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include:

1. FlorianodaSilva - A modern variation where the space between the first and last names is removed, a convention that has become more common in digital contexts.
2. Floriano Da Silva - The traditional Portuguese spelling, featuring capitalized first letters for the surname and place of origin, and a space between the two components.
3. Florianodasilva - Another modern variation where the space between the first and last names is removed, but without a capital letter at the beginning of the first name.
4. Floriano-da-Silva - A variant with a hyphen separating the family name's two components (Floriano) and the patronymic (da Silva).
5. FlorianodaSilva (without a hyphen) and Floriano-de-Silva (with a hyphen after the first name but before da) are less common variants.
6. In English, it is also possible to find transliterations of the Portuguese surname, such as Florentino de Silva or Florentino da Silveira, though these are not direct variations of Floriano da Silva.

Famous people with the last name Floriano-da-silva

Notable individuals sharing the surname Floriano da Silva include:

1. Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira (1902–1976), the 18th President of Brazil, who served from 1956 to 1961 and is known for overseeing Brasília's construction. He was born as Juscelino Floriano da Silva but changed his surname during a career in journalism.

2. Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986), an Argentine writer, essayist, poet, and translator, is another famous person with the patronymic name Floriano da Silva. However, he is more commonly known by his maternal surname, Borges, rather than Floriano da Silva.

3. Alexandre de Souza Floriano da Silva (born 1985), a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Portuguese club Marítimo, has also been referred to professionally as Alexandre Flórios.

Genealogical research on the last name Floriano-da-silva

The surname Floriano-da-Silva is a Portuguese variant, originating from two distinct elements: "Floriano," which is derived from the Latin "Florianus," meaning "flowering" or "blooming," and "da Silva," referring to the occupational name for a silviculturist or someone who worked in a forest.

The Floriano-da-Silva family can be traced back to the medieval period in Portugal. The name Floriano is first recorded in the 13th century, while the surname da Silva emerged during the 14th and 15th centuries as Portugal expanded its territory.

Throughout history, the Floriano-da-Silva family has produced various notable individuals, including military leaders, politicians, and intellectuals. Some of these include Dom João Floriano de Almeida da Silva, a 16th-century Portuguese nobleman, and José Floriano da Silva, a Brazilian journalist and politician who served as the President of Bahia in the late 19th century.

The family name has also spread globally due to Portuguese migration, with significant populations found in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Goa (India), and other countries with historical ties to Portugal.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "floriano-da-silva"
• 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 : 31 July 2025

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