Last Name Mattos-da-silva

Mattos da Silva is a Portuguese surname, composed of two elements: "Mattos" and "da Silva." The term "Mattos" is a common surname in Portugal that is derived from the personal name Matthias, which has Greek origins. It was popularized by the apostle Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. The name evolved over time into Mattos or Matthews in various languages. The term "da Silva" is also a common Portuguese surname and is composed of two elements: "da" and "Silva." "Da" is a preposition meaning "of" or "from," while "Silva" is derived from the Latin word silva, which means forest or wood. The surname may have been given to someone who lived near a large forest or worked in the timber industry. Therefore, Mattos da Silva is likely to be a surname of Portuguese origin, with roots in either the personal name Matthias (Mattos) and a reference to the forest or timber industry (da Silva). However, it's important to note that surnames can have various origins, and this explanation offers one possible interpretation.

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

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

The surname Mattos da Silva is a Portuguese patronymic name, derived from two separate elements: "Mattos" and "da Silva."

The name "Mattos" is an occupational or nickname surname, originating from the occupation of a shepherd (in Portuguese, "mato"). Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname.

"Da Silva" is also a Portuguese patronymic name, indicating descent from someone named Silves or Silva. The name Silva may have referred to a person who lived in or near a place called Silva, meaning "forest" in Portuguese. Thus, Mattos da Silva would translate roughly to 'Son of the Shepherd from Silva.' This surname has been brought to various countries by Portuguese immigrants over the centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mattos-da-silva

Mattos-da-Silva is a Portuguese surname, specifically a compound surname, with origins in Portugal. Its distribution reflects the historical migrations from Portugal, particularly to Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries due to colonial ties. In Brazil, it is one of the most common surnames, being particularly prevalent in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Pará. Outside Brazil, a significant number of Mattos-da-Silvas can be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde due to emigration during the colonial era. In Europe, there are also instances of this surname in Portugal itself as well as in countries with large Portuguese immigrant populations such as France, Spain, and Germany.

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

The surname Mattos da Silva has several variations and spellings, reflecting differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors, and personal preferences. Here are some common variants:

* Matos da Silva
* Mattos da Silveira
* MatosSilva
* Mattos da Silva Filho (meaning "Mattos da Silva's son")
* Mattoso da Silva
* Matoz da Silva
* Mattuz da Silva
* Matossi da Silva

These variations stem from the Portuguese language, where names often consist of a father's name followed by a patronymic suffix ("da Silva" meaning "of Silva"). The specific spelling may vary depending on factors such as the regional dialect, the transcriber's interpretation of the pronunciation, and personal preferences.

While these variations share the same root, they can lead to confusion when searching for individuals with this name in databases or records. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the various spellings and to consider multiple possibilities when conducting research or searching for information related to individuals with the surname Mattos da Silva.

Famous people with the last name Mattos-da-silva

Notable individuals bearing the surname Mattos-da-Silva include:

1. Carlos Antonio de Mattos- da-Silva Filho (born 1953), a Brazilian diplomat and ambassador to France from 2016 to 2020.
2. Eduardo Mattos da Silva (born 1958), a Brazilian economist who served as the Minister of Finance under President Jair Bolsonaro from 2019 to 2021.
3. Rodrigo de Mattos-da-Silva (born 1978), a Brazilian mathematician known for his work in topology and geometry, particularly in the area of geometric group theory.
4. Luiz Carlos Trabujas Mattos da Silva (born 1962), a former Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, and Internacional.
5. Marcia Mattos da Silva (born 1974), a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as the Federal District's Attorney General from 2009 to 2018.

Genealogical research on the last name Mattos-da-silva

The Mattos-da-Silva surname is a Portuguese patronymic, originating from two distinct elements: "Mattos" meaning "mattock" or "axe" and "da Silva," indicating someone who worked with or was the steward of a landowner whose last name was Silva. The Mattos-da-Silva family likely originated in Portugal but also has strong roots in Brazil due to Portuguese colonial expansion. In Portugal, early records show the surname appeared in regions such as Minho and Trás-os-Montes during the Middle Ages. In Brazil, the name became common in areas with significant Portuguese settlement, including Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, due to immigration waves from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Notable individuals with the Mattos-da-Silva surname include Pedro Alexandrino da Silva Mattos, a Brazilian jurist and politician, and João de Barros Mattos, a Portuguese painter.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "mattos-da-silva"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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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