Last Name Paulo-souza

The surname Paulo-Souza is a composite Portuguese name, derived from two separate components: Paulo and Souza. The name Paulo is a variation of the name Paul, which is derived from the Latin name Paulus. It was traditionally a baptismal name in Christian cultures, meaning "small" or "humble." Souza is one of the most common Portuguese surnames, originally denoting individuals who were of Moorish or Arabic descent due to the Arabic given name Su'ud (meaning happiness). Over time, it became a common surname among converts to Christianity in Portugal. Therefore, the surname Paulo-Souza likely originated as a Portuguese name, potentially indicating that the bearer had Moorish ancestry or was named Paul in Christian baptism. However, it's important to note that family history and specific origins can vary greatly for individual families. For more accurate information about a particular lineage, further research such as genealogical records may be necessary.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Paulo-souza

The meaning and origin of the last name Paulo-souza

The surname Paulo-Souza is a composite Portuguese name, formed by combining two distinct elements: Paulo and Souza.

Paulo is a baptismal name derived from the Latin Paulus, which means "small" or "humble." It was traditionally given to newborns baptized on a Saint Paul's feast day. In Portugal, the name Paulo is often used as a first name and sometimes appears in surnames due to its popularity.

Souza, meanwhile, is a Portuguese patronymic surname that originated from the given name Soeze (or Suzzo), a diminutive of Suizo, which means "Swiss" or "from Switzerland." During the Medieval period, there were several European crusaders named Suiso who settled in Portugal, giving rise to the Souza surname.

Over time, the combination of Paulo and Souza created the composite surname Paulo-Souza, which is common among individuals with Portuguese ancestry.

Geographical distribution of the last name Paulo-souza

The surname Paulo-Souza has a significant presence predominantly within Brazil and Portugal, primarily due to their shared historical and cultural ties. In Brazil, it is particularly concentrated in regions such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Bahia - areas with heavy Portuguese influence. In Portugal, the surname can be found across various provinces, with a notable concentration in Lisbon and the Algarve region. Additionally, there are smaller communities of individuals bearing this name in countries like Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking African nations due to colonial migration patterns. In the United States, the surname is also present, particularly in states with larger Brazilian immigrant populations such as Florida, California, and New York.

Variants and spellings of the last name Paulo-souza

The surname Paulo-Souza exhibits various spelling and formatting combinations due to differences in regional conventions, personal preferences, and historical transcription errors. Some variations include:

1. Paulo Souza: This is the most common version, with a hyphen separating the two parts of the name.
2. Paulosouza: This variation omits the hyphen but preserves the space between the names.
3. PaoloSouza: In some cases, the first name may be capitalized, resulting in this spelling.
4. PauluSouza: A less common variation that replaces the "a" in Paulo with a "u."
5. SouzaPaulo: This version reverses the order of the names and omits the hyphen.
6. Paolosouza: Another less common variation that includes an additional "o" between the names.
7. Paulosouza: A Portuguese-language spelling where the "l" in Paulo is doubled, resulting in the sequence "ll."
8. Souzapaulo: This version reverses the order of the names and does not use a hyphen.
9. Pauolosouza or PaoloSouzaa: These variations include additional "a"s to maintain the original Portuguese spelling, although these extra letters are usually omitted in English-speaking countries.

Famous people with the last name Paulo-souza

Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author, is among the world's most influential and best-selling authors, known for his inspirational novels such as "The Alchemist" and "Veronica Decides to Die." Born in 1947, he has sold over 300 million books worldwide. In academia, Paulo Freire, a Brazilian philosopher, educator, and political activist, is renowned for his critical pedagogy and the influential book "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." Freire's ideas significantly impacted educational theory and practice globally. Another notable figure is Paulo Jorge da Silva Souza, a Brazilian professional footballer, also known as Paolo Guerrero. He is the all-time top scorer for both Corinthians and Peru national team, and he played for Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. Lastly, Paulo Dybala, an Argentine professional footballer, plays for Juventus F.C. in Italy and the Argentina national team. He is recognized for his technical skills and versatility on the pitch. These individuals are renowned figures with the last name Paulo-Souza in various fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Paulo-souza

The surname Paulo-Souza, a combination of Portuguese elements "Paulo" and "Souza," exhibits roots traced back to both Portugal and Brazil. Historically, "Paulo" is a common given name derived from the Latin "Paulus," meaning small or humble. On the other hand, "Souza" is an occupational name originating from the Old Portuguese word "suze," referring to a swineherd or butcher.

In Portugal, the Paulo-Souza family can be traced back to the 16th century. The Souzas were notable figures in the region of Minho, holding political and religious positions during that time. In Brazil, the surname gained significant popularity due to the country's Portuguese colonization, particularly in the northeastern states like Pernambuco and Bahia.

Over time, variations of the name such as Paulo da Souza or simply Souza have emerged, reflecting regional dialects and changes in naming conventions. The spread of the Paulo-Souza family throughout Brazil can be attributed to migrations during the colonial period and subsequent population movements within the country. Today, the surname remains widespread in both Portugal and Brazil, making it one of the most common Portuguese surnames globally.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "paulo-souza"
• 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 : 27 July 2025

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