Last Name Lopes-braga

The surname Lopes-Braga is of Portuguese origin. It consists of two parts: "Lopes" and "Braga". The name Lopes is a patronymic derived from the personal name Loup or Lope, which was common among the Visigoths. In Portugal, it became associated with the occupations of wolf hunter or shepherd. Braga, on the other hand, refers to a city in northern Portugal that dates back to Roman times and is one of the oldest cities in the country. Over time, it became a common surname for people who were born or lived in Braga. So, the name Lopes-Braga likely originated from someone who was either from the city of Braga or had familial connections to that area while also having a family name derived from the personal name Loup or Lope.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lopes-braga

The meaning and origin of the last name Lopes-braga

The surname Lopes-Braga is a Portuguese composite name, formed by combining two distinct elements: "Lopes" and "Braga".

The name Lopes originates from the medieval Iberian Peninsula, specifically Portugal, where it was used as a topographic or occupational name for someone who lived near a wolf den (in Portuguese, "lobo" means wolf) or perhaps for a sheepherd ("pastor do lobos").

Braga, on the other hand, is the oldest city in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. It is believed that the name Braga derives from the Celtic word "Brivatum," which means "city" or "town." The combination of these two names, Lopes-Braga, likely arose as a way for individuals to claim origins in both places, either through family lineage or geographical connection.

Over time, the name has been passed down and dispersed among Portuguese populations and their diaspora, reflecting the historical migration patterns of this particular lineage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lopes-braga

The surname Lopes-Braga is predominantly found in Portugal and Brazil, reflecting its Portuguese origin. In Portugal, it is primarily concentrated in the northern regions, particularly in Porto and its surrounding districts, due to the historical presence of the Bragança dynasty in those areas. A significant portion of Portuguese Lopes-Bragas emigrated to Brazil during the 16th to 19th centuries, spreading the surname throughout the country, with high concentrations in the states of Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. Additionally, smaller communities of Lopes-Bragas can be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola and Mozambique, as well as in Spanish-speaking countries like Spain and Equatorial Guinea, due to historical migrations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lopes-braga

Lopes Braga is primarily a Portuguese surname, comprised of two components: "Lopes," which is derived from the occupation 'Wolfram' or 'lope,' and 'Braga,' meaning 'swamp' or 'marshy land.' Variations and spellings of this name can include Lopez Braga, Lópes Braga, Loupès-Braga, and Lopes de Braga, among others. In some cases, the hyphen may be omitted, resulting in Lopes Braga being spelled as LopesBraga or LopezBraga. It's also important to note that Portuguese names do not traditionally follow a fixed order, so first and last names can sometimes appear interchangeable, such as Braga Lopes or Braga de Lopes. However, the original, most common form remains Lopes Braga.

Famous people with the last name Lopes-braga

José Saramago and Maria Isabel Lopes Braga are two notable individuals bearing the surname Lopes Braga.

José Saramago, born as José Américo Saramago Lopes Braga (1922-2010), was a Portuguese author known for his political allegories and intricate narratives. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998 for his work, which often focused on human suffering, power structures, and societal issues.

Maria Isabel Lopes Braga (b. 1940), a Portuguese mathematician, is renowned for her research in functional analysis, operator theory, and differential geometry. She served as the president of the International Mathematical Union from 2006 to 2010, making her the first woman to hold this position since its establishment in 1912.

Both individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, leaving lasting legacies associated with the name Lopes Braga.

Genealogical research on the last name Lopes-braga

The Lopes-Braga surname originates from Portugal, where it is a composite name derived from two separate patronymics: Lopes, meaning "wolf" or "lover," and Braga, referring to a geographical location, specifically the city of Braga in northern Portugal. The Lopes family trace their roots back to the 14th century, while the Braga branch joined the lineage through marriage in the 16th century. Over time, many notable individuals bearing the name have emerged in various fields, including politics, science, and the arts. Notable figures include Joaquim Lopes de Bragança, a Portuguese physician and scientist who made significant contributions to the study of tropical diseases; and João Lopes de Bragança, a prominent lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Justice in Portugal's provisional government during the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Today, the Lopes-Braga surname remains predominantly found in Portugal and its diaspora communities around the world.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "lopes-braga"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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