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Last Name Garcia-da-silva

What is the origin of the last name Garcia-da-silva?

The surname Garcia-da-Silva is a Portuguese and Brazilian name that originated from two separate elements: 1. Garcia is a common Spanish and Portuguese given name derived from the Visigothic name Gafrey, which means "spearman" or "warrior." However, it was popularized by Charlemagne's advisor, a Moor named Al-Kasim Abu-l-Khattar, who converted to Christianity and took the Christian name Charles (Charles the Wise). In Portugal, the name Garcia became a surname in the Middle Ages. 2. Da Silva is a Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "son of Silva" or "from the forest." Silva is derived from the Latin silva, which means "forest." It was often given to people who lived near forests or had some connection with them. The combination of Garcia and da Silva can be found in both Portugal and Brazil due to migration and colonization. In Brazil, it's one of the most common surnames, particularly in the state of Pernambuco.

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

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

The surname Garcia-da-Silva is a Portuguese-derived name with both Spanish and Portuguese origins. It comprises two distinct parts: "Garcia" and "da Silva."

The name Garcia originates from the Visigothic period in Spain, derived from the Gothic name Gareis, meaning 'spear' or 'lance.' The name was brought to Portugal by the Moors and became popular among the Christian reconquistadores.

On the other hand, da Silva is a common Portuguese surname that translates to 'of the forest,' 'of the bush,' or 'of the holm oak,' derived from the Latin silva. The name was given to individuals who lived near forests or holm oaks, or those who worked in them.

The combination of these two names—Garcia-da-Silva—indicates an individual who either originated from Spain (with the surname Garcia) and settled in Portugal (where they took on the surname da Silva). Alternatively, it could denote a Portuguese family with a Spanish ancestor named Garcia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Garcia-da-silva

The surname Garcia-da-Silva is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal, due to its Portuguese origin. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 50 most common last names, reflecting a significant presence in the country's population. Outside of Latin America, there are also notable numbers of individuals with this surname in countries like Angola and Mozambique, former Portuguese colonies. In Portugal, Garcia-da-Silva is less common compared to Brazil but still appears in various regions, especially in the north where there has been historical migration from the Azores and Madeira islands. The name may also be found among the Portuguese diaspora in other parts of the world.

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

The surname Garcia-da-Silva exhibits various spelling and formatting variations due to differences in translation, regional conventions, and personal preferences. Some of these include:

1. García da Silva (Portuguese) - This is the original Portuguese form of the name, with an accent on the first name and a space between the surnames.
2. Garcia das Silva (Portuguese) - A common variation without the accent on the first name or a space between the surnames.
3. Garcia daSilva (English) - This is one of the most frequent English transliterations, with a hyphen and no spaces between the names.
4. GarciadaSilva (English) - Another English transliteration that uses no spaces but replaces the Portuguese diacritic marks with a space instead of a hyphen.
5. Garcia da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese) - The Brazilian version of the name follows the same format as the original, but without diacritics unless they are used for specific reasons such as literary or historical contexts.
6. Gárcia da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese with accents) - This variant includes the correct accents on both names according to Brazilian spelling conventions.
7. Garcia-Silva (English) - A simplified English version that replaces the hyphen between the first and last names. However, this may lead to confusion with other names like Garcia Silva or Garcia-Silva.
8. García de Silva (Spanish) - This is a Spanish variation of the name, which features the accent on the first name and follows Spanish naming conventions by combining both surnames with an apostrophe.

Famous people with the last name Garcia-da-silva

Notable individuals sharing the surname Garcia-da-Silva include:

1. Carlos Lopes Garcia da Silva (b. 1948), an Angolan politician who served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat from 2010 to 2015.

2. Ana Paula da Silva Garcia (b. 1963), a Brazilian mathematician known for her work in algebraic topology, geometric group theory, and low-dimensional topology.

3. Rodrigo Garcia da Silva (b. 1987), also known as Carioca, a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Brazilian club Flamengo and the Brazil national team.

4. Antonio José de Souza Garcia da Silva (1876-1952), better known as Tiradentes, a Brazilian revolutionary leader who was one of the main figures in the Inconfidência Mineira movement.

5. Joaquim Garcia da Silva (b. 1946), a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a striker for clubs like Benfica and Portugal national team.

These individuals have made significant contributions across various fields, including politics, mathematics, sports, and revolution.

Genealogical research on the last name Garcia-da-silva

The surname Garcia-da-Silva originates from Portugal and Spain, with roots traceable to the medieval period. The name comprises two distinct elements: "Garcia," a common male given name derived from the Visigothic name Gafрика, meaning 'royal spear,' and "da Silva," indicating a person who lived near or owned land covered in holm oak trees.

The Garcia lineage can be traced back to the Kingdom of Galicia in northwestern Spain during the Middle Ages, while the da Silva clan originated from the Moorish-occupied Algarve region in southern Portugal. The combination of these two surnames likely occurred when members of each family intermarried or migrated.

Notable figures with this combined surname include the Portuguese explorer and nobleman Jorge de Laranga Garcia da Silva, who was instrumental in the early exploration of Brazil by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The surname Garcia-da-Silva has since spread globally, especially to Latin America due to Portuguese colonization and migration.

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 : 29 July 2025

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