The surname Furtado is of Portuguese origin. It comes from the medieval occupation of a "furtador", which means "trap-setter" in English, referring to someone who set traps for animals or fish. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname in Portugal.
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The surname Furtado is of Portuguese origin, stemming from medieval Iberian society. It is derived from the Latin word "furcatus," meaning "crooked" or "bent." In medieval times, this name was likely given to someone with a physical characteristic resembling a bent stick, or it could have been a nickname for someone who performed an action in a crooked manner. During the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula, many people bearing the surname Furtado migrated southward, eventually settling in Portugal and other regions under Portuguese influence. Today, the name is most commonly found in Portugal, Brazil (due to Portuguese colonization), and other countries with a significant Portuguese-speaking population.
The surname Furtado is predominantly distributed across Portugal and its former colonies, particularly Brazil, reflecting the historical expansion of Portuguese influence. According to data from the FamilyEducation website, approximately 74% of people with the last name Furtado reside in Brazil. Other significant populations can be found in Angola (6%), Mozambique (5%), and Cape Verde (2%). A smaller number of Furtados can also be found in Portugal (1%) and other Portuguese-speaking countries like Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor. The name is derived from the medieval Portuguese word "furtar," which means to steal or cheat, suggesting an occupation of a deceptive nature in its origin. This geographical distribution highlights the historical impact of Portuguese colonization on the dispersal of surnames, with Furtado being one such example.
The surname Furtado has several variations and spelling alternatives in English. Some common ones include: Furtadoo, Furtade, Furtada, Furtadou, Furtadoe, Furtadue, Furtadow, Furtadew, Furtadoeux, Furtadoux, Furtadouz, and Furtadouxe. These variations may arise due to differences in regional pronunciation, spelling conventions, or transcribing errors over time. Despite the variations, all these spellings can be traced back to the Portuguese surname, which translates to "fur-taw-du," meaning "the one who made leather from furs."
Notable individuals sharing the surname Furtado include:
1. Luiz Gonzaga de Sousa Furtado (1910-2006), a Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate who served as bishop and cardinal, known for his contributions to the Amazon region's Church affairs.
2. Linda Maria da Cunha Furtado (born 1983), professionally known as L7 or simply Lindsay, is a Portuguese-American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She gained prominence in the late 1990s with her solo career following her departure from the group TLC.
3. Marisa Furtado (born 1986), a Brazilian model, beauty pageant titleholder, and television host. She was crowned Miss Earth Brazil 2010 and represented Brazil at the Miss Earth 2010 pageant, where she placed in the Top 8.
4. Nelly Furtado (born 1978), a Canadian singer-songwriter and actress of Portuguese descent. She started her career as a teenager, releasing her debut album Whoa, Nelly! in 2000, which spawned the hit singles "I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light."
These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields: religion, music, modeling, and entertainment.
The surname Furtado originates from Portugal, specifically in the region of Minho and Trás-os-Montes. The name is derived from the occupational or status name "furta" meaning "thief" or "pickpocket," which was likely a nickname for someone who was cunning or clever. In medieval times, people with such a nickname often adopted it as their last name to distinguish themselves from others with common names. The Furtados are believed to have migrated to other parts of Europe and the New World in large numbers during the Age of Discovery and subsequent colonization efforts. Notable individuals bearing the surname include the Brazilian singer-songwriter Ivan Lins, Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo's father José Dinis Aveiro da Silva Furtado, and Portuguese actress Maria de Medeiros. The distribution of the Furtado family is widespread today, with significant populations in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Goa, India.
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