The surname Freitas-Lima is a combination of two Portuguese patronymic surnames.
The "Freitas" part of the surname is derived from the Latin name "Fraetius," meaning "free man." It was brought to Portugal by the Romans and became "Freitas" in Portuguese. The "-es" ending was later dropped as a result of phonetic evolution over time.
The "Lima" part of the surname is also of Portuguese origin. It comes from the city of Lima, which was an important center during the Roman occupation of Portugal and was known as Limia. Over time, the name of the city evolved into Lima in Portuguese, and it became a common surname for people born or living near the city.
Therefore, the surname Freitas-Lima is a compound surname that originated in Portugal, with roots in both the Roman occupation and important medieval settlements in the country.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Freitas-lima
The meaning and origin of the last name Freitas-lima
The surname Freitas-Lima is a Portuguese composite name, formed by combining two separate surnames: Freitas and Lima. The name Freitas originates from the Occitan word "freit" meaning blacksmith or ironworker, which was later Hispanicized to "Freites" and eventually Portuguese to "Freitas." On the other hand, Lima is derived from the Latin term "lima" for a type of shell used as an abrasive. It could also be related to the town of Lima in Portugal, which may have been an occupational name for someone from that region. Over time, these surnames were brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers, and the combination Freitas-Lima became common among families with both ancestry.
Geographical distribution of the last name Freitas-lima
The surname Freitas-Lima is primarily associated with Portuguese-speaking countries due to its dual origin from the Portuguese names Freitas (meaning 'almond tree') and Lima (referring to the city or region of Lima). It is most commonly found in Portugal itself, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other former Portuguese colonies. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 1000 most common surnames. The Freitas-Lima name also exists within immigrant communities from these regions in various parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. However, its distribution outside these areas is relatively low compared to more universally recognized surnames.
Variants and spellings of the last name Freitas-lima
The surname Freitas-Lima possesses several variations and spellings due to different transliteration methods and regional dialects. Here are some common forms:
These variations mainly stem from Portuguese naming conventions, where the father's surname is often combined with the mother's maiden name to create a composite surname. The prefixes "de", "da", and "dos" indicate lineage or nobility in some cases.
Famous people with the last name Freitas-lima
Notable individuals with the combined surname Freitas-Lima include:
1. Alexandre Freitas Lima (born 1986), a Brazilian footballer who has played for several clubs including Corinthians and Atlético Mineiro.
2. Ana Paula Freitas-Lima (born 1974), a Brazilian neuroscientist known for her research on the neural basis of reinforcement learning and decision making.
3. Eraldo Freitas Lima (1936-2020), a Brazilian musician who was a prominent member of the Bossa Nova movement in the 1960s.
4. Luciano Freitas Lima (born 1985), a Brazilian actor best known for his roles in telenovelas such as "Malhação" and "A Favorita".
5. Maria de Lourdes Freitas Lima (born 1943), a Brazilian politician who served as the Governor of Paraíba from 2015 to 2018.
6. Thiago Freitas Lima (born 1997), a Brazilian footballer who plays for Grêmio Porto Alegre.
These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, including sports, science, music, and politics.
Genealogical research on the last name Freitas-lima
The surname Freitas-Lima originates from Portugal, with both Freitas and Lima being common Portuguese last names. Freitas is derived from the Old Portuguese word "freitado," meaning fried, referring to someone who worked with fish or cooked food. Lima, on the other hand, comes from the Old Portuguese word for "limestone" or "meadow."
In Portugal, the Freitas and Lima families are believed to have roots in the northwestern region of Minho, although their exact origins are unclear due to limited historical records from that era. The combination of the two surnames to create Freitas-Lima likely occurred as a result of family mergers or marriages over time.
The surname Freitas-Lima has since spread globally due to Portuguese migration, particularly during the Age of Discoveries when Portuguese explorers and settlers ventured abroad, establishing colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America. Today, Freitas-Lima can be found across these continents, reflecting the global reach of Portuguese colonialism.
In Brazil, one of the countries with a large number of Freitas-Lima descendants, the name is most prevalent in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Pernambuco. In the United States, the highest concentrations of people with this surname can be found in California, Texas, and Florida.
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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