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Last Name Pires-de-morais

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What is the origin of the last name Pires-de-morais?

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The meaning and origin of the last name Pires-de-morais

The surname Pires de Morais is of Portuguese origin, rooted in the country's medieval nobility and regional divisions. "Pires" is a patronymic derived from the given name "Pedro," which means "rock" or "stone" in English. On the other hand, "de Morais" indicates a person from the region of Morais, located in northern Portugal. The combination of these two elements formed the surname Pires de Morais, which signifies someone who was originally from Morais and bore the name Pedro. Over time, the family expanded beyond Morais, but the surname has remained a common one among Portuguese descendants worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pires-de-morais

The surname Pires de Morais is predominantly found in Portugal and Brazil, reflecting its historical origins. In Portugal, it is most common in the northern regions, particularly in Minho, where the Morais portion of the name suggests ancestral ties to that area. The Pires component, meaning "pears" in Portuguese, is a common patronymic surname.

In Brazil, the surname Pires de Morais is also prevalent due to historical migrations from Portugal. The state of Paraíba in Northeastern Brazil has a significant concentration of individuals bearing this name, as many Portuguese immigrants settled there in the 16th and 17th centuries. Smaller populations can be found in other regions of Brazil, such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.

Outside of Portugal and Brazil, instances of the surname Pires de Morais can be found among Portuguese diaspora communities around the world. These include countries with significant historical ties to Portugal, such as Angola, Mozambique, and Goa (India), as well as in other parts of Europe and North America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pires-de-morais

The surname Pires de Morais has various spelling and formatting variations due to differences in transliteration and transcription over time. Some common variants include: Pires de Morais, Pires-de-Morais, Pirez de Morais, Pires da Morais, Piress de Moreis, Pires do Morais, Pires del Morais, Pires das Moras, Pires d'Almada e Moura, and Perez de Morais. These variations may stem from differences in regional dialects, immigration records, or simple typos over time. Despite the variations, they all share the same essential structure of a patronymic name (Pires) followed by a toponymic name (de Morais), indicating that the original bearer was likely from the town of Morais in Portugal.

Famous people with the last name Pires-de-morais

Among the notable individuals with the surname Pires de Morais are:

1. João Pires de Morais (1928–1976), Portuguese writer, journalist, and filmmaker who was an important figure in the post-war Portuguese literature. His works include "A Vida e Outras Coisas" and "O Fio Quebrado."

2. Alexandre Pires de Morais (born 1967), Brazilian singer, songwriter, and record producer who won the fourth season of the Brazilian reality show "Popstar" in 2003. He has released several successful albums throughout his career.

3. Ana Pires de Morais (born 1985), Portuguese professional table tennis player who represented Portugal at the Olympics, European Championships, and World Championships since 2004. She is a multiple-time national champion in singles and doubles events.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in literature, music, and sports.

Genealogical research on the last name Pires-de-morais

The Pires de Morais surname is of Portuguese origin, with roots traceable back to the medieval period. The name is a composite of two elements: "Pires", which is a patronymic derived from the personal name "Pedro" or "Peter", and "de Morais", indicating one's origin or residence in the region called "Morais".

The Pires de Morais family, like many Portuguese families, migrated to various regions of the world due to historical events such as the Age of Discoveries. Notably, they played significant roles in the colonization of Brazil and Goa, India. In Brazil, the family has been well documented since the 16th century and has produced several prominent figures in the fields of politics, military, and academia.

In Goa, the Pires de Morais family was influential during Portuguese rule, with members holding positions such as governors, judges, and military leaders. After the annexation of Goa by India in 1961, many descendants of this family moved to Portugal, maintaining a connection to their ancestral roots.

Today, the Pires de Morais surname can be found not only in Portugal, Brazil, and India but also in other countries where Portuguese-speaking immigrants have settled.

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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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