Last Name La-silva

The surname La Silva has its origins in Portugal and Spain. In both countries, it is a topographic surname derived from the Portuguese word "sylvá" meaning forest, or the Spanish word "selva" meaning jungle or dense woodland. Thus, the name originally referred to someone who lived near such an area, or possibly came from a place named La Silva. The spelling variations in English include Lasilva, LaSilva, and L'Silva, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name La-silva

The meaning and origin of the last name La-silva

The surname La Silva is of Portuguese and Spanish origin, derived from two separate but related elements: "la" meaning "the" in both languages, and "Silva," which refers to a forest or wooded area in Portuguese, or a designation for someone who lived near such an area in Spanish. It's a common name in countries with significant Portuguese or Spanish influence, particularly Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and some regions of Africa due to colonization and migration. Notable individuals with the surname La Silva include Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso and Spanish footballer David Silva.

Geographical distribution of the last name La-silva

The surname La-Silva is predominantly found in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries due to its origin from those languages. In Portugal, it is one of the most common surnames, particularly in regions like Minho, Braga, and Porto. In Spain, Galicia, a region that shares a border with Portugal, also has a significant number of individuals bearing this name. Additionally, La-Silva is also found among Portuguese descendants in other parts of the world such as Brazil, the United States, and Canada, reflecting historical migration patterns. The name can also be found in African countries like Angola and Mozambique due to their colonial ties with Portugal. Furthermore, the name has been adopted by individuals of diverse ethnicities in various regions worldwide as a result of assimilation or adoption for personal reasons.

Variants and spellings of the last name La-silva

The surname La Silva has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in regional pronunciation and translation conventions. Some of these variations include:

1. La Silva: This is the most common spelling, derived directly from the original Portuguese name meaning "the forest" or "grove."
2. De la Silva: This variation adds "de," a Spanish preposition that often precedes surnames in Spain and Hispanic countries.
3. Lasilva: An alternative spelling with no diacritical marks, often found among English speakers or in contexts where Portuguese diacritics are not used.
4. Delasilva: Another variation incorporating the Spanish preposition "del" instead of "de."
5. Dela-Silva: This spelling introduces a hyphen after "de," which is occasionally used to distinguish it from other names beginning with "de la."
6. Lasilvah, LaSivah, or Lasivah: These variations are less common but may occur as a result of misspellings, transcriptions, or phonetic adaptations.

Famous people with the last name La-silva

Notable individuals with the surname La Silva include:

1. Ricardo Kaká, a Brazilian professional footballer who played for Sao Paulo FC and AC Milan, and is a former FIFA World Player of the Year.
2. Luiz Felipe Scolari, also known as Big Phil, a Brazilian former football manager and player, best known for leading Brazil to win the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
3. Ana Beatriz Barros, a Brazilian model who has been one of Victoria's Secret Angels since 1999.
4. José Mário Vargas Llosa, a Peruvian writer and Nobel laureate in Literature for his novel "The Fish in the Water" (1960).
5. Adriano de Souza, a Brazilian professional surfer who is a three-time World Surf League champion.
6. Eduardo Lao Silva, a Portuguese philosopher and historian, known for his work on the history of philosophy and ethics.
7. Daniel La Rosa, a Puerto Rican professional boxer who won gold in the lightweight division at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
8. João Moutinho, a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and the Portugal national team.

Genealogical research on the last name La-silva

The surname La Silva originates from Portugal and Spain, with both countries having a significant number of individuals bearing this name. In Portugal, La Silva is a habitational surname that originated from several locations, such as Lousa de Cima (Silva Alta) in the district of Aveiro, and Sobral da Silva in the district of Braga. In Spain, it's also a toponymic name derived from numerous towns named "La Silva" across various provinces. Notable individuals with the surname La Silva include João La Silva, a Portuguese footballer, and Spanish author Fernando del Pulgar y La Sierra. The name has also been found in Brazil due to Portuguese immigration during the colonial period. Genealogical research on this surname can be complex due to its widespread usage, but tools such as online family tree databases, historical records, and genealogy websites can provide valuable resources for those tracing their La Silva lineage.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "la-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 : 27 July 2025

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