Last Name Padare

Learn more about the origin of the last name Padare

The meaning and origin of the last name Padare

The surname Padare is derived from the Portuguese word "padre," which means priest. This surname is primarily found among people of Portuguese ancestry, as it was often given to individuals who had a family member serving as a Catholic priest. Over time, due to migration and assimilation, the name has spread across various regions. As with many surnames, its original meaning may have been lost or changed over generations, and it is now used as a common last name in some parts of the world. Notably, a significant number of individuals with the Padare surname can be found in countries such as Brazil, Portugal, and Angola due to historical colonial ties between these nations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Padare

The surname Padare is primarily associated with Zimbabwe, where it originates from the Shona language and means "teacher" or "scholar." This surname is common among the Shona ethnic group, which constitutes the majority population in Zimbabwe. Additionally, due to migration and diaspora, there are also Padare families living in other countries such as South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. However, the geographical distribution remains heavily concentrated within Zimbabwe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Padare

The surname Padare has several variations and spellings. Some common variations include Padhare, Paddare, and Padder. These differences may arise due to phonetic changes or orthographic conventions over time. Additionally, the name may also appear in slightly altered forms such as Padhar, Padher, or Padharre, depending on regional dialects or personal preferences in spelling. It is essential to note that these variations may lead to confusion when researching genealogy or ancestry. However, all these spellings essentially originate from the same root name, Padare.

Famous people with the last name Padare

Notable individuals with the surname Padare include:

1. Hipolito Jose Daza Padere (1934-2016), a Venezuelan journalist, writer, and political activist who was awarded the National Journalism Prize by the Venezuelan Association of Journalists in 2015.

2. Simas Kudirka Padare (b. 1988), a Lithuanian professional basketball player who currently plays for Brose Bamberg in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga. He has also represented the Lithuania national team at international competitions such as the EuroBasket and the Olympic Games.

3. Hilda Norberta Padare (b. 1986), a Zimbabwean human rights activist who co-founded the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) movement in 2003 to promote peaceful, nonviolent resistance against political and social injustices in Zimbabwe.

4. Saulius Padare (b. 1975), a Lithuanian politician who served as the Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, from 2016 to 2020. He is a member of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS).

5. Alvin Padare (b. 1987), a Zimbabwean musician who rose to fame in the early 2010s as a leader of the Chiwoniso Movement, a cultural group dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Shona music in Zimbabwe.

Genealogical research on the last name Padare

The surname Padare is primarily associated with Lithuania and its diaspora. Originating from a diminutive form of the given name Povilas or Apolinikas, it emerged during the Middle Ages as a patronymic surname.

In Lithuania, the Padare family originated from the region of Samogitia, where many bearing this surname still reside today. Notable figures with the last name include Jonas Jablonskis-Padare, a renowned 18th-century historian and bibliographer, and Antanas Padare, a Lithuanian politician who served as a Member of the Seimas in the interwar period.

The Padare family also has a significant presence in the United States due to migration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many Padare descendants have contributed to various fields, including academia, politics, and arts. Genealogical records and census data can be found on ancestry websites for those interested in tracing their family history with this surname.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "padare"
• 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