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Last Name Maximiano

What is the origin of the last name Maximiano?

The surname Maximiano has roots that can be traced back to several origins due to its similarity to various names across different languages and cultures. 1. Latin Origin: One possible origin is from the Late Roman family name Maximianus, a derivative of Maximus meaning "the greatest." This name was popular among several early Christian saints, including St. Maximian of Aix-en-Provence (died 305 AD) and St. Maximian of Tebessa (died 296 AD). 2. Greek Origin: Another possible origin is the Greek name Maximinos or Maximos, which means "greatest" or "highest." This name was also borne by several saints and emperors in ancient Greece. 3. Slavic Origin: In Slavic languages, Maximian (Максимиан) is a variant of the Russian name Максим (Maxim), which means "supreme" or "greatest." 4. Portuguese and Spanish Origin: In these languages, Maximiano is a variation of the names Máximo or Máximo António, which are derived from the Latin Maximus but have been influenced by Christian saint names such as Maximinus Thrax (Maximino Trácio in Portuguese).

Learn more about the origin of the last name Maximiano

The meaning and origin of the last name Maximiano

The surname Maximiano is of Latin origin, derived from the given name Maximianus, which was a popular Roman name during the Late Antiquity period. It consists of two elements: "maximus," meaning great or largest, and "-ianus," a derivative suffix used to form personal names in ancient Rome. The name Maximiano signifies someone who was considered as the greatest among others in some aspect. Over time, it has been passed down through various generations and is now a widely recognized surname across several countries, particularly those with a significant Roman influence or colonization history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Maximiano

The surname Maximiano is predominantly distributed across Latin American countries due to its Portuguese and Spanish roots. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 20,000 most common surnames, reflecting a high concentration in regions such as Minas Gerais and Goiás, where Portuguese settlement history is strong. In Portugal, Maximiano is less frequent but still present, especially in the northern districts of Porto and Braga. Additionally, the name has been gradually dispersed to other parts of the world through migration, with significant populations found in the United States, particularly in Florida, due to a large Brazilian immigrant community. It also appears in countries like Canada, Australia, and some European nations, such as Spain and France, as a result of global mobility over the years.

Variants and spellings of the last name Maximiano

The last name Maximiano has several variations and spellings across different languages and regions. Here are some common versions:

* Spanish: Máximo, Maximo, Maximiano
* Portuguese: Maximiano, Maximo, Máximo
* Italian: Massimo, Massimiano
* French: Maximien, Maximian, Maximien-Paul
* German: Maximilian, Maximian
* Dutch: Maximiliaan
* Polish: Maksimian
* Russian: Максиманов (Maximnov)
* Greek: Μαξιμιάνος (Maksimianos), Μάξιμος (Maximos)
* Hebrew: מקסימיאנו (Maksimiano)
* Japanese: マキシモ (Makishimo)
* Chinese: 马克西莫 (Mǎkèsīmò), 麦克西莫 (Máikèsīmò)
* Korean: 맥시모 (Maegisimo)

These variations and spellings can also be found in other languages, depending on the region and cultural influences.

Famous people with the last name Maximiano

Notable individuals bearing the surname Maximiano include:

1. Maximiano Velasco (born 1947), a Mexican politician who served as Governor of Chiapas from 2006 to 2012.

2. Maximiano Ávila Camacho (1893-1952), the son of President Pascual Ortiz Rubio and brother of President Miguel Alemán Valdés, who served as Secretary of War and Navy under his brother's administration.

3. José Maximiano Corrêa da Cunha (1834-1907), a Portuguese geographer and explorer known for his work on the Congo Free State.

4. Maximiano Alvarez (1925-2009), a Mexican artist who created intricate papercut artworks.

5. Manuel Maximiano de Almeida, Baron of Itapagipe (1836-1876), a Brazilian politician and journalist who served as Governor of Bahia from 1874 to 1875.

These individuals have made significant contributions in the fields of politics, exploration, art, and journalism.

Genealogical research on the last name Maximiano

The surname Maximiano originates from the medieval Spanish and Portuguese name Maximiliano, derived from the Late Latin name Maximilianus, which means "great soldier" or "eminent warrior." This name was popularized by several figures named Maximilian throughout history, including Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and Austrian Emperor Maximilian II. The surname Maximiano can be found in various regions of Spain, Portugal, and their former colonies, particularly Latin America. In Portugal, it is most common in the Azores and Minho regions. In Spain, it is more prevalent in Galicia, Castile-Leon, and Valencia. In South America, Maximiano is a common surname in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay due to immigration from these areas during the colonial period and later waves of migration. Notable individuals with the surname Maximiano include Maximiliano Thorne, a Puerto Rican actor, and Maximiliano Pereira, a Brazilian footballer.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 28 July 2025

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