What is the origin of the last name Petiz-de-oliveira?

The surname Petiz-de-Oliveira is of Portuguese origin. It consists of two parts: 1. "Petiz" - This part of the surname might have origins from various places in Portugal. In some cases, it could be a diminutive form of names like Pedro or Pêro (both meaning "rock" or "stone"). However, it's also possible that it comes from a locality or occupation with unknown origins. 2. "de Oliveira" - This is a common Portuguese surname indicating that the original bearer was from an olive tree-covered area or lived near such an area. The "de" in this context means "of" or "from". It's worth noting that surnames didn't become widespread in Portugal until the 12th century, and they often originated from various factors like geographical locations, occupations, patronage, or personal characteristics.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The meaning and origin of the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The surname Petiz-de-Oliveira is of Portuguese origin, specifically from the Azores, a region of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. The name is composed of two distinct elements: "Petiz" and "de Oliveira."

"Petiz" may have derived from a personal name or nickname, potentially meaning 'little' in an unidentified regional dialect. Over time, it became a hereditary surname for individuals bearing this personal name.

On the other hand, "de Oliveira" is a common Portuguese patronymic that denotes someone whose father was named Olivier or Oliveira, which means 'olive tree' in Portuguese. The addition of "de" before the surname indicates descent from a specific individual named Oliveira.

Combined, the surname Petiz-de-Oliveira is a testament to the merging of family lineages with distinct ancestral roots in Portugal.

Geographical distribution of the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The surname Petiz-de-Oliveira is predominantly found in Portugal, with a significant concentration in the northern region, particularly in districts such as Porto and Braga, suggesting possible origins from these areas. However, due to historical migrations, variations of the name can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Angola, where the name has been spread through immigration waves over centuries. The name's presence in non-Portuguese speaking regions may indicate instances of assimilation or adoption by individuals or families with Portuguese heritage living abroad.

Variants and spellings of the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The surname Petiz-de-Oliveira has various spellings and variations, reflecting different transliteration or transcription methods across regions and time periods. Here are some common forms:

1. Petiz de Oliveira - This is the most conventional form of the name, using a hyphen to combine the two parts: the patronymic "Petiz" (which may derive from a given name like Pieter or Pedro) and the geographical origin "Oliveira" (meaning 'olive tree keeper' in Portuguese).

2. Petiz Oliveira - Some individuals may choose to drop the hyphen, resulting in this variant.

3. PetizdoOliveira - In some cases, a single space instead of a hyphen may be used between the two parts.

4. Peitz-de-Oliveira - Occasionally, the spelling "Peitz" might be found as an alternative to "Petiz," reflecting variations in transliteration or regional pronunciations.

5. Petiz da Oliveira - This form includes the preposition "da" (meaning 'of' in Portuguese) before Oliveira, which can sometimes appear when referring to a family estate or lineage.

Famous people with the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The Petit-Dieu Oliveira family is renowned for producing several notable individuals with the last name Petiz-de-Oliveira. Among them are:

1. José Eduardo dos Santos Petit-Dieu de Oliveira (born 1942), who served as the President of Angola from 1979 to 2017, and was instrumental in leading the country out of a devastating civil war during his tenure.

2. António Petit-Dieu de Oliveira (born 1956), a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs like Porto, Benfica, and Sporting CP, and earned 58 caps for the Portugal national team.

3. Isabel dos Santos Petit-Dieu de Oliveira (born 1973), an Angolan businesswoman and investor, who is often referred to as the richest woman in Africa, with a net worth estimated at over $2 billion.

4. Ana Paula Petit-Dieu de Oliveira (born 1980), a Portuguese journalist and television presenter, best known for hosting the popular Portuguese reality show "A Fábrica da Estrela."

These four individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of politics, sports, business, and media, garnering international recognition for their achievements.

Genealogical research on the last name Petiz-de-oliveira

The surname Petiz-de-Oliveira is of Portuguese origin, with the "Petiz" part possibly being a variation or regional nickname, while "de Oliveira" indicates lineage from someone who was originally from the region around olive trees, Algarve, in southern Portugal. The name spread to various parts of the world due to Portuguese explorations and migrations, particularly to Brazil, Angola, and other former Portuguese colonies. In Brazil, it is most commonly found in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. Notable figures bearing this surname include Manuel de Oliveira Petit (1869-1937), a prominent journalist and politician from Angola, and Luís Filipe de Oliveira Petit (1872-1950), his brother, who was also a prominent political figure in Portugal. The family's roots can be traced back to the 16th century in Portugal, but further genealogical research may reveal more specific origins and connections within the Petiz-de-Oliveira lineage.

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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.

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