Last Name Miranda-da-silva

The surname Miranda da Silva has Portuguese origins. "Miranda" is a toponymic surname derived from the place name Miranda do Douro, a municipality located in the northern Portuguese district of Vila Real. The suffix "-da-" is a genitive case that indicates ownership or origin, and "Silva" is a common Portuguese patronymic meaning "from the forest". Together, the surname Miranda da Silva can be translated as "from the Miranda family who were from the Silva forest."

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

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

The surname Miranda da Silva is composed of two distinct Portuguese elements: Miranda and da Silva.

Miranda is a toponymic surname, derived from various locations named Miranda in Portugal, such as Miranda do Douro or Miranda de Corvo. These places were likely named after the miradouro (viewpoint) that characterized their landscapes. The surname can be traced back to the 13th century and was common among noble families in the region of Trás-os-Montes, in northern Portugal.

Da Silva, meanwhile, is a patronymic surname, denoting origin from someone who worked as a servant or assistant to someone named Silva (from the Portuguese word for forest). The name Silva itself likely comes from the occupation of a forester or woodsman.

Combined, the surname Miranda da Silva indicates that the bearer either hails from one of the places called Miranda and worked as an assistant or servant to someone named Silva, or they are descendants of someone who held this title. The name has been carried by notable individuals throughout history, including Brazilian politician Dilma Rousseff, former President of Brazil (2011-2016).

Geographical distribution of the last name Miranda-da-silva

The surname Miranda da Silva has a significant presence in Portugal and Brazil due to its Portuguese origins. In Portugal, it is most prevalent in regions such as Minho, Aveiro, and Lisbon, reflecting the historical migration patterns from the north to the capital. In Brazil, the name is particularly common in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, areas that saw a large influx of Portuguese immigrants during the 16th to 19th centuries. Additionally, there are also pockets of the Miranda da Silva family in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde due to colonial ties and further migration. Overall, while the name has a strong association with Portugal and Brazil, it can also be found among the Portuguese diaspora across the globe.

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

The surname Miranda da Silva can have various spelling and format variations due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and personal preferences. Here are some common versions:

1. Miranda da Silva - The standard Portuguese spelling, with the last name followed by the maternal grandmother's last name as a patronymic.
2. MirandaSilva - An abbreviated form without the hyphen or comma, which is often used in digital contexts for convenience.
3. MirandadaSilva - A version with a space between the names instead of using a hyphen.
4. Miranda de Silva - An alternate Portuguese spelling with "de" instead of "da," indicating that the woman's paternal grandmother's surname is Silva, rather than her maternal grandmother's surname.
5. Miraanda da Silva or MiraandaSilva - Spelling variations that may occur due to differences in typographical interpretation.
6. MirandaDaSilva or MirandaDaSilvaUS - Variations that may be adopted by individuals when immigrating to English-speaking countries, sometimes adding "US" at the end to distinguish themselves from others with the same name.
7. Miranda da Silva, Mirandaa Silva, etc. - Possible misspellings or phonetic transcriptions of the original Portuguese surname.

Famous people with the last name Miranda-da-silva

Notable individuals sharing the surname Miranda da Silva include:

1. Luiz Miranda da Silva (born 1962), a Brazilian political advisor and former Chief of Staff for Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

2. Ana Maria Miranda da Silva, a Portuguese economist and professor at the University of Coimbra, known for her work on environmental economics.

3. Joana Miranda da Silva (born 1976), a Brazilian television presenter, actress, and model.

4. André Luiz de Miranda da Silva (born 1986), commonly known as Dedé, a Brazilian professional footballer who played for several clubs in Europe and South America.

5. Rita Lee Miranda da Silva (1947-2023), a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, actress, and television host, often referred to as the "Queen of Brazilian Rock."

Genealogical research on the last name Miranda-da-silva

The Miranda-da-Silva surname, a blend of Portuguese elements, originates from two distinct roots: "Miranda," derived from the medieval castle town Miranda do Douro in Portugal, and "Da Silva," indicating a person of silvatic or forest origin. The surname was likely adopted during the Middle Ages when the use of patronymic and locative names became popular in Portugal.

Notable individuals with this surname include João da Silveira e Bullion, a Brazilian engineer and statesman who served as President of Brazil from 1889 to 1891; and Pedro Miranda de Silva Caldas, a Portuguese politician and diplomat who was Prime Minister of Portugal in 1789.

Throughout history, the Miranda-da-Silva surname has been spread across various regions, particularly in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries, due to immigration and colonization during the Age of Discovery. As with many family names, the specific origin of individual lineages may vary depending on the specific geographic location and historical context.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "miranda-da-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 : 25 July 2025

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