The surname Lima-Santos is a Portuguese-Brazilian name, derived from two separate Portuguese surnames: "Lima" and "Santos."
"Lima" is a topographic name for someone who lived near a grove of lime trees or in an area where limestone was abundant. The word "lima" means lime in Portuguese.
"Santos," on the other hand, is a patronymic name derived from the personal name São (Saint) followed by the common masculine suffix -tōs, which refers to someone's son or descendant of a certain saint. The term "Santos" means saints in Portuguese.
Therefore, the combined surname Lima-Santos might have originated from an individual who lived near lime trees and was a descendant of Saint (or someone named São). This name is common among Brazilians due to the country's historical ties with Portugal.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Lima-santos
The meaning and origin of the last name Lima-santos
The surname Lima Santos is a Portuguese combination of two distinct surnames: Lima and Santos.
The surname Lima, which is one of the most common in Portugal and Brazil, originates from the city of Lima in northern Portugal. It is thought to have been used as a nickname for someone who was born near or visited this town.
Santos, on the other hand, means "saints" in Portuguese and was often given as a religious surname, possibly indicating that an ancestor was named after a saint or worked at a church.
The combination of Lima and Santos therefore suggests an individual who either originated from the town of Lima but later moved to a region associated with the Santos surname, or someone who bore both names for other reasons. This surname is commonly found in Portugal, Brazil, and countries with significant Portuguese influence.
Geographical distribution of the last name Lima-santos
The last name Lima Santos is predominantly found in Brazil due to its Portuguese origin, where it derives from the surname "Lima," which is common in Northern Portugal, and the personal name "Santos," meaning saint, a popular name in Portuguese-speaking countries. In Brazil, it is frequently concentrated in the states of Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, reflecting historic migration patterns from the Northeast to Southeast regions. Beyond Brazil, there are significant Lima Santos populations in Portugal, Angola, and other Portuguese-speaking African countries due to historical colonial ties and subsequent immigration. Additionally, smaller groups of people with this surname can be found in other parts of the world where Brazilians have migrated, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Variants and spellings of the last name Lima-santos
The surname Lima Santos can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration and regional conventions. Some common versions include Limasanto, Lima-Santos, Lima-Santoso, Limasau, Lima-Santosy, Lima Santoss, Limassante, Limassau, and Lemasanto. The name is a combination of two Portuguese surnames: Lima, derived from the word for "limestone" or "portion," and Santos, meaning "saintly." This Portuguese patronymic surname is common in Portugal and countries with significant Portuguese influence, such as Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Famous people with the last name Lima-santos
Notable individuals bearing the surname Lima-Santos include:
1. Jucimar Lima Santos, a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Sport Recife and the Brazil national team.
2. Fernanda Lima Santos, a Brazilian model who was a contestant on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model.
3. Pedro Lima Santos, a Portuguese footballer who played as a midfielder in various clubs throughout his career.
4. Ricardo Lima Santos, a Brazilian football coach and former player, best known for managing the Brazil women's national team.
5. Tiago Lima Santos, a Portuguese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Boavista FC.
These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of sports and modeling.
Genealogical research on the last name Lima-santos
The surname Lima-Santos originates from Portugal, with both 'Lima' and 'Santos' being common Portuguese patronymics. 'Lima' is derived from the place names Lima do Prado and Lima de Baixo in northern Portugal, while 'Santos' stems from the Latin word sanctus meaning 'saint.'
In Brazil, the combination of these two surnames has a significant presence due to Portuguese immigration during the 16th century. Notable figures with this surname include the Brazilian politician and lawyer Antonio Carlos Lima-Santos (b. 1954) and footballer Paulo César Lima Santos, also known as Dudu (b. 1973).
The Portuguese diaspora spread 'Lima-Santos' to various other countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Goa, where descendants have made lasting contributions to their respective societies. As a result, genealogical research on the Lima-Santos family can be traced through historical records in these countries as well as Portugal.
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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