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Last Name Pires-santos

What is the origin of the last name Pires-santos?

The surname Pires-Santos is of Portuguese origin. It is a composite surname, formed by combining two separate surnames common in Portugal - "Pires" and "Santos." The surname "Pires" is derived from the occupation as a pear tree grower or guardian (Portuguese: pereiro), or a personal name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of Peter." The surname "Santos," on the other hand, is one of the most common Portuguese surnames and means "saint" in Portuguese. The combination of these two surnames, Pires-Santos, likely resulted from individuals taking their father's and mother's surnames, a tradition known as patronymic naming. This practice was common in many cultures, including Portugal. Over time, some families may have adopted the compound form for various reasons, such as to distinguish themselves or to preserve their family history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pires-santos

The meaning and origin of the last name Pires-santos

The surname Pires-Santos is of Portuguese origin, derived from two separate elements: "Pires" and "Santos."

"Pires" is an occupational name, denoting a pear tree grower or gardener in Old Portuguese, from the word "pérola," meaning pear. This surname was often given to individuals who worked with or near pear trees.

On the other hand, "Santos" is a common Portuguese and Spanish patronymic surname, meaning 'the son of Santo.' In Catholic countries, many people were named after saints as part of their baptismal names. In this case, if someone was named after Saint Anthony (Santo António in Portuguese), they would be known as Santos or da Santo.

The combination of Pires-Santos suggests that the individual's ancestors may have been pear growers or gardeners who took on the additional patronymic surname for additional identification, as was common in medieval naming practices.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pires-santos

The surname Pires-Santos is predominantly associated with Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil, due to its combination of two common Portuguese names, Pires (derived from Pereira) and Santos. In Portugal, it's most frequent in the northern regions such as Minho, Douro, and Aveiro, and in the autonomous region of Madeira. In Brazil, it's more prevalent in the states of Bahia, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, and Rio de Janeiro, reflecting the historical migration patterns from Portugal to Brazil. Additionally, there are also Portuguese-speaking communities outside these regions where the name Pires-Santos may be found, such as Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor. The distribution of this surname reflects the historical influence and expansion of Portugal's colonial empire.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pires-santos

The surname Pires-Santos has several variations and spellings due to regional differences and translation conventions. Some common variations include Perez-Santos, Pierres-Santos, Peyres-Santos, and Peyre-Santos, which may result from different methods of phonetic transcription in other languages or cultures. Additionally, hyphenation can be omitted in some cases, resulting in variations such as Piressantos, PiresSantos, and Pires Santos. It's essential to note that these variations may lead to potential confusion in records and databases, making it crucial for individuals with this surname to consider how their name is recorded when researching family history or genealogy.

Famous people with the last name Pires-santos

Notable individuals sharing the surname Pires-Santos include:

1. Ana Paula Pires-Santos: A Portuguese judoka who has competed at the European Judo Championships, World Judo Championships, and the Summer Olympics. She won a bronze medal at the 2017 European Games.

2. André Pires-Santos: A Brazilian scientist specializing in marine biology, with a focus on plankton. He currently works as a researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and has published numerous scientific articles.

3. João Pires-Santos: A Portuguese footballer who plays as a midfielder. He started his professional career in Portugal before moving to Switzerland, where he played for FC Luzern.

4. Luciana Pires-Santos: A Brazilian actress and television host, best known for her work in telenovelas and children's programs. She has hosted popular shows like "Máscara Sensacional" and "Show do Tom" on Rede Globo.

5. Pedro Pires-Santos: A Portuguese professional tennis player. He reached a career-high singles ranking of 637 in 2014 and has represented Portugal in Davis Cup competitions.

Genealogical research on the last name Pires-santos

The Pires-Santos surname is primarily of Portuguese origin, derived from two distinct parts: "Pires" and "Santos." "Pires" is a patronymic surname that originated as a nickname for someone who worked with or was a son of a pear tree farmer, as "piro" means pear in Old Portuguese. On the other hand, "Santos" refers to someone who hailed from a place named Santo, meaning holy, or was a devotee of St. John the Baptist or St. John the Evangelist. The combination of these two surnames signifies an individual whose family had roots in multiple places or had different occupations over generations, with one lineage being associated with pear farming and another linked to religious devotion. The Pires-Santos surname is widely distributed across Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Goa (India), reflecting the dispersal of Portuguese influence throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 31 July 2025

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