Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Nery

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Nery?

The surname Nery originates from Portugal. It is derived from a personal name, which was a variant of the name "Nuno" in medieval Iberia. The original name Nuno comes from the Old High German name "Hunon," meaning "noble." Over time, variations such as "Néri" and "Nery" emerged due to phonetic changes in different regions. The surname Nery was subsequently brought to other parts of Europe and the Americas by Portuguese explorers, colonizers, and immigrants.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nery

The meaning and origin of the last name Nery

The surname Nery is of Portuguese origin, derived from the Old French word "neri" meaning "blackbird." This name was brought to Portugal during the Christian Reconquest, as many French nobles settled there. The blackbird has been a common symbol in European heraldry, often representing agility and resourcefulness. In Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil, the surname Nery is relatively common and can be found among various ethnic groups. It's interesting to note that the name may also appear as Neri or de Néri in other regions, reflecting variations in spelling due to differences in language and historical influence.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nery

The last name Nery has a significant presence across Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil and Portugal, due to its origin from the Iberian Peninsula. In Brazil, it is most common in the Northeastern states such as Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Ceará, reflecting the region's historical ties with Portugal. Outside of these regions, the distribution of Nery is relatively sparse, with smaller populations found in other parts of Brazil.

In Europe, the name Nery can be found predominantly in Portugal, mainly concentrated in the coastal areas like Lisbon and Porto. Smaller numbers of people carrying this surname can also be found in countries with significant Portuguese emigration, such as France, Angola, and Mozambique. Overall, the distribution pattern suggests a strong connection between the Nery name and the Portuguese-speaking world, particularly Brazil and Portugal.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nery

The surname Nery has various spellings and variations across different regions. Some common spelling variants include: Neri, Nerey, Neary, Nehry, Nehri, Nheiry, Nheri, and Nhéri. These variations can be attributed to differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors over time, or personal preference. The name is of Latin origin and means "priest" or "clergyman." It is most commonly found among Portuguese-speaking populations, but it is also present in Spain, Italy, and other countries with a significant presence of Latin culture. Despite the variations in spelling, all these versions share a common root and are generally pronounced similarly.

Famous people with the last name Nery

Notable individuals bearing the surname Nery include:

1. Jose Sulpicio Nery (1831-1891), a Brazilian poet and journalist who was the first President of the Academy of Letters of São Paulo, Brazil. His most famous work is "Os Ociosos" (The Idlers).

2. Carlos Alberto Nery (born 1947), a Brazilian footballer who played as a defender for Santos FC and was part of the Brazil national team that won the World Cup in 1962 and 1966. He was known as "Pelé's partner."

3. Eliecer Nery (born 1974), a Cuban-American biochemist who is currently a Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University. His research focuses on enzyme catalysis and protein design.

4. Lina Nery (born 1984), a Brazilian actress, model, and presenter. She gained popularity in the telenovelas "Belissima" and "Totalmente Demais."

5. Jean-Claude Nery (born 1966), a French deep sea diver, underwater photographer, and filmmaker. He is known for his extreme freediving performances, including exploring shipwrecks and underwater caves.

Genealogical research on the last name Nery

The surname Nery is of Portuguese origin, derived from the village of Néri in the district of Viseu, Portugal. Historical records trace the family back to the Middle Ages, with early members noted as being farmers and landowners in this region. The name was first documented in the 13th century during the reign of King Sancho II, indicating a lineage dating to at least that period. Throughout the centuries, members of the Nery family have migrated across Portugal and its colonies, with significant populations found in Brazil, Goa (India), Mozambique, Angola, and Macau. Notable figures from this lineage include Manuel de Nery, a 16th-century Portuguese poet, and D. Luís da Cunha Néri, the Governor of Goa in the early 18th century. Today, the name is prevalent across the Portuguese-speaking world, as well as among communities with Portuguese ancestry.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Ner

Last name • surnames > ner

The surname Ner has multiple possible origins. 1. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Nero, which means "bright and shining" in Latin. This could have been use...

#2 Ner est mada

Last name • surnames > ner-est-mada

The surname "Ner Est Mada" does not appear to have a clear origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a combination of multiple surnames or has been altered over time.

#3 Nerab khan

Last name • surnames > nerab-khan

The last name "Nerab Khan" is of Arabic origin. "Khan" is a common surname in many countries with a history of Turkic and Mongol rule, while "Nerab" may have its roots in Arabic or...

#4 Nerad

Last name • surnames > nerad

The surname Nerad is of Slavic origin, specifically Czech and Slovak. It is derived from the given name Něrad, a Slavic personal name consisting of the elements "ner" (meaning "gr...

#5 Neradi

Last name • surnames > neradi

The origin of the last name Neradi is Indian. It is derived from the word "niradi," which is a term used in the Indian state of Assam to refer to a person who is kind-hearted and b...

#6 Nerakkol

Last name • surnames > nerakkol

The last name Nerakkol originates from India, specifically the state of Kerala. It is most commonly found among the Malayalam-speaking population in the region.

#7 Neral

Last name • surnames > neral

The last name "Neral" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Marathi language spoken in the state of Maharashtra. It may be derived from the place name "Neral" or have another ...

#8 Neranjan

Last name • surnames > neranjan

The last name Neranjan appears to have origins in South Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka. It is likely derived from a Sinhalese or Tamil word or name.

#9 Neranjana

Last name • surnames > neranjana

The last name "Neranjana" is of Sri Lankan origin. It is commonly found among Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka.

#10 Neranjona

Last name • surnames > neranjona

The last name "Neranjona" originates from Sri Lanka. It is of Sinhalese origin and is a common surname among the Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka.

#11 Nerat

Last name • surnames > nerat

The surname "Nerat" is of Slovenian origin, derived from the Slovenian word "neret" meaning "lowland" or "fertile plain". This suggests that the surname may have originally been us...

#12 Neratheeri

Last name • surnames > neratheeri

The last name "Neratheeri" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is likely derived from the local language spoken in the region and may have a meaning or s...

#13 Neraud

Last name • surnames > neraud

The last name Neraud is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name Nerault, which itself is derived from the Latin name Nerius.

#14 Nerban

Last name • surnames > nerban

The last name "Nerban" originates from Germany. It is derived from the Old High German personal name "Nerbo," which means "valor" or "courage." Over time, the name evolved into the...

#15 Nerdosi

Last name • surnames > nerdosi

Sure. The last name Nerdosi is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "nerdo," which means "annoyance" or "burden." It is possible that the surname w...