NomOrigine Background

Last Name Guimaraes-de-souza

What is the origin of the last name Guimaraes-de-souza?

The surname Guimarães-de-Souza has its origins in Portugal. The name "Guimarães" is associated with a town in northern Portugal and was often used as a surname by people from that region. On the other hand, "de Souza" is a common Portuguese patronymic surname derived from the personal name Suízo or Soeiro, meaning "son of Suízo/Soeiro." Together, the name Guimarães-de-Souza likely denotes a person originating from the town of Guimarães and having descendants named Suízo or Soeiro. However, it's essential to note that the specific history of individual families with this surname may vary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

The meaning and origin of the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

The surname Guimarães-de-Souza is a Portuguese composite name, formed by combining two distinct components: Guimarães and de Souza.

The surname Guimarães originates from the medieval town of Guimarães in Portugal, which was founded by Vermudo I in 997 AD and became the country's first capital. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin "villa viri martis," meaning "the village of the warrior man." It was initially used as a place name but later evolved into a surname for residents or descendants of Guimarães.

The second component, de Souza, is a patronymic surname that originated from the medieval Portuguese term "de Sosa" or "de Souza," meaning "son of Souza." The name Souza, in turn, comes from an Arabic-origin surname Al-Susi (السوسي), which was given to Moorish families who had converted to Christianity. In the 15th century, many of these families immigrated to Portugal after the Christian Reconquista, where they were granted lands and titles by the Portuguese crown. Over time, the name evolved into various forms, including de Souza, Souza, and Soares.

Therefore, the surname Guimarães-de-Souza indicates that its bearer is either a native or descendant of Guimarães who belongs to the de Souza family lineage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

The surname Guimarães-de-Souza is predominantly found in Brazil, primarily due to its Portuguese origin. Named after the medieval town Guimarães in Portugal and the title de Souza, which was given to early settlers in the Iberian Peninsula, this surname has a strong association with the colonial history of Brazil. In Brazil, it is most concentrated in regions such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Pernambuco, where Portuguese immigration was historically significant. While there are also individuals carrying this surname in Portugal, its distribution in Brazil is significantly higher due to the extensive migration of Portuguese settlers during colonization.

Variants and spellings of the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

The surname Guimarães de Souza has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects over time. Here are some of the common variations:

1. Guimaraes-de-Souza
2. Guimaraens-de-Souza
3. Guimarães de Souza
4. Guimarães dos Santos (a Portuguese surname that is sometimes confused with Guimarães de Souza due to the similarity in spelling)
5. Güimarães de Souza (in Spanish transliteration)
6. Guimaraens-de-Souza (with an apostrophe instead of a hyphen)
7. Guimaraesdesouza (without spaces or hyphens, which is less common but may be found in some informal contexts)
8. Gama Guimarães de Souza (a Portuguese nobiliary particle added to the name, similar to "de" or "van")
9. Count/Countess of Guimarães de Souza (a title of nobility for this surname)

These variations may arise due to differences in pronunciation and transcription across regions and time periods, as well as intentional modifications by individuals or families for personal reasons.

Famous people with the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

Notable individuals with the surname Guimarães-de-Souza include:

1. Alexandre Augusto Guimarães de Souza (born 1978), a Brazilian footballer who played as a defender for several clubs, including Corinthians and Atlético Mineiro. He was part of the Brazil national team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2002.

2. Ana Paula Guimarães de Souza (born 1986), a Brazilian rhythmic gymnast who represented her country at the Olympic Games and World Championships. She won multiple medals, including a bronze at the 2007 World Championships.

3. Júlio César Guimarães de Souza (born 1984), a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for teams like Internazionale and Benfica. He was part of the Brazil national team that won the Confederations Cup in 2005.

4. Marcos Antônio Guimarães de Souza (born 1976), also known as Tinga, a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Santos and Palmeiras. He was a key player in the Brazil team that won the Olympic gold medal in football at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Genealogical research on the last name Guimaraes-de-souza

The Guimarães-de-Souza surname originates from Portugal, with roots traced back to the medieval era. The Guimarães part of the name refers to the historic town of Guimarães, where many early bearers of this name resided. The suffix "-de-Souza" indicates noble lineage, as "de Souza" was a common addition to Portuguese surnames to denote noble ancestry, with Souza being one of the most prominent noble families in medieval Portugal. Over time, the Guimarães-de-Souza family expanded and migrated from Portugal to various countries due to historical events such as the Discoveries, colonial expansion, and migrations. Today, descendants of this family can be found across the globe, particularly in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking countries. The Guimarães-de-Souza surname remains a testament to the rich history and noble heritage of Portugal's ancient lineages.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 27 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Guiad (Last name)

surnames > guiad

The surname "Guiad" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guie," meaning "leader" or "guide," and was likely used as a nickname for someone who acted in a le...

Guialdo (Last name)

surnames > guialdo

The surname "Guialdo" is of Italian origin. It comes from various places in Italy, primarily from regions such as Umbria, Lazio, and Marche. The name is derived from a place or a p...

Guiamad (Last name)

surnames > guiamad

The surname "Guiamad" is believed to have originated from the Catalan region of Spain. It is likely derived from a place name or a personal name that was then adopted as a surname ...

Guiamadil (Last name)

surnames > guiamadil

The last name "Guiamadil" is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic word "wadi", meaning "valley". It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking regions.

Guiamal (Last name)

surnames > guiamal

The last name Guíamal originated in South America, specifically in Colombia. It is derived from indigenous languages of the region and may have originated from a specific ethnic g...

Guiambangan (Last name)

surnames > guiambangan

The last name Guiambangan originates from the Philippines. It is a surname of Filipino origin.

Guiao-gonzales (Last name)

surnames > guiao-gonzales

The surname Guiao Gonzales is of Spanish origin. Guiao is likely to be a Spanish surname, possibly derived from a place name, while Gonzales is a common Spanish surname meaning "so...

Guibes (Last name)

surnames > guibes

The surname Guibes has roots traced back to France. It is derived from a place name, which was originally "Guibe" or "Guibé," found in various regions of France, such as Brittany ...

Guibo (Last name)

surnames > guibo

The last name "Guibo" is of French origin. It is believed to be a variant of the surname "Gibault", which is derived from the Latin personal name "Gibbo" or "Gib.

Guibson (Last name)

surnames > guibson

The last name "Guibson" is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval personal name "Gib" or "Gibbe," which is a pet form of the name "Gilbert." The suffix "-son" indicates...

Guichandut (Last name)

surnames > guichandut

The surname Guichandut is of Basque origin. It is derived from the Basque words "gui" meaning fog or mist, and "chandut" meaning diligent or hardworking.

Guichard (Last name)

surnames > guichard

The surname Guichard is of French origin and is derived from a given name, Guihard, which was a medieval diminutive of the Old High German name Godehard, composed of the elements g...

Guichaux (Last name)

surnames > guichaux

The surname Guichaux is believed to be of French origin. It is likely derived from the Old French word "guichet," meaning small window or little opening. This surname may have been...

Guicherd (Last name)

surnames > guicherd

The last name Guicherd is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guichard," which means "martial ruler" or "war leader."

Guicheteau (Last name)

surnames > guicheteau

The surname Guicheteau is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guichet," which means "window" or "small opening," and the suffix "-eau," which is typical of Fr...