Last Name Reis-da-silva

The surname "Reis da Silva" is a Portuguese patronymic name, which means "King's servant" or "servant of the royal household." The name "Reis" comes from the word for "king" in Portuguese, while "da Silva" is a topographic name indicating that the original bearer lived near a sylva (a wooded area). Over time, this name has been adopted by various individuals and families across the world due to historical migrations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Reis-da-silva

The meaning and origin of the last name Reis-da-silva

The surname Reis da Silva is of Portuguese origin, derived from two distinct components: "Reis" and "da Silva". "Reis" translates to 'kings' or 'rulers', while "Silva" denotes 'forest' or 'grove'. As a composite name, it suggests that the original bearer was either associated with a noble or royal household residing in a forested area. The use of compound surnames became widespread in Portugal during the Middle Ages as a means to differentiate between individuals who had similar personal names within the same community. Over time, this surname has been adopted by Portuguese descendants across the world due to emigration waves during the Age of Discoveries and beyond.

Geographical distribution of the last name Reis-da-silva

The surname Reis da Silva is predominantly found in Portugal and Brazil, due to historical reasons. In Portugal, it originates from the medieval practice of adding a location suffix to a personal name, where "Reis" means "king" and "da Silva" denotes from the silvan or forested area. Over time, many Portuguese immigrants carried this surname to Brazil during the colonial period, where it became one of the most common last names in the country due to its high representation among settlers and enslaved Africans who were given European-sounding names. Today, both in Portugal and Brazil, the Reis da Silva surname has a wide geographical distribution, reflecting the historical movement of people from these countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Reis-da-silva

The last name Reis da Silva, which originates from Portugal, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common versions include:

1. Reis da Silva (most common spelling)
2. Reisdasilva
3. Reis Da Silva
4. Rейс да Силва (Cyrillic for Portuguese names, often used in Russian or other Eastern European countries)
5. Rейс-да-Сильва (another Cyrillic spelling variation)
6. Rayz da Silva (English phonetic variant)
7. Reis da Silveira (a rare variant with an added 'e' at the end, possibly indicating a female lineage)
8. Rais da Silva (a less common but still valid Portuguese spelling)
9. Ray de Silveira (a possible anglicized version)
10. Rays DaSilva (another English phonetic variant)

These variations are all derived from the original Portuguese surname, which translates to "Reis of the forest" or "King of the forest." The name's components come from a patronymic system where the father's name was used as a suffix. In this case, "Reis" means "king," and "Silva" refers to a "forest" or "grove."

Famous people with the last name Reis-da-silva

Notable individuals sharing the surname Reis da Silva include:

1. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, a Brazilian professional footballer and one of the greatest players of all time who led the Brazil national team to win three FIFA World Cup titles.
2. Fernanda Ribeiro de Carvalho Reis da Silva, a Brazilian retired long-distance runner who competed at two Olympic Games and won a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for the 5000 meters event.
3. Jussara Reis da Silva, a Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer who has competed in various promotions, including Invicta FC and UFC.
4. José de Alencar Reis da Silva, a renowned Brazilian novelist, journalist, and playwright best known for his historical novels "Iracema" and "O Guarani".
5. Luiz Carlos Reis da Silva, aka Preto Jura, a prominent capoeira master and co-founder of the Capoeira Angola National Alliance (CANA).
6. Paulo Sérgio de Almeida Reis da Silva, a Brazilian professional football coach who has managed various clubs in several countries.
7. Renato Reis da Silva, aka Renatinho, a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a left-back for Santos FC and the Brazil national team.
8. Rosana Ribeiro de Carvalho Reis da Silva, a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Culture in the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Genealogical research on the last name Reis-da-silva

The Reis-da-Silva surname is of Portuguese origin, with roots tracing back to medieval Iberia. "Reis" translates to 'king' and "da Silva" refers to 'of the forest', indicating a historical association with the royal court or a specific wooded region. The name likely came into existence during the reign of King Denis (1279-1325), who granted lands and titles to many loyal subjects, often in the form of territories named after natural landmarks. Over time, this surname spread throughout the Portuguese-speaking world as a result of colonial expansion, particularly in Brazil and Africa, where descendants of Portuguese settlers still carry the name today.

Notable individuals bearing the Reis-da-Silva surname include:

1. Luís de Camões (1524–1580), Portugal's national poet and author of the epic poem "The Lusiads."
2. Mário Soares (1924–2017), a Portuguese politician who served as President (1986-1996) and Prime Minister (1976-1978, 1983-1985).
3. António Reis (1947–2017), a renowned Portuguese film director and screenwriter.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "reis-da-silva"
• 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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