What is the origin of the last name Reis-ferreira-lima?

The surname Reis-Ferreira-Lima is a Portuguese compound surname, composed of three distinct elements that each have their own origins. 1. Reis: This surname is derived from the Latin word "Rex," meaning king. It was often given as a nickname to someone who behaved in a regal manner or lived near a royal residence. 2. Ferreira: The name Ferreira, also of Latin origin, comes from the occupation of an iron-smith, derived from the word "ferraria," meaning blacksmith's shop or forge. It was often given as a nickname to someone who worked with iron or lived near a blacksmith. 3. Lima: This surname is likely related to a geographical location, as many Portuguese surnames are. The city of Lima in Portugal and Brazil share the same name, although it's unclear which specific place the original bearer of this surname might have originated from. So, Reis-Ferreira-Lima is a composite surname that likely evolved over time as the bearer or their ancestors took on different professions, lived in various locations, and passed down these names.
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Learn more about the origin of the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

The meaning and origin of the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

The surname Reis Ferreira Lima is a composite Portuguese name, originating from three distinct elements: Reis, Ferreira, and Lima.

The name Reis refers to a royal or noble individual, derived from the Latin regis, meaning king. This surname was often given to individuals who served as court officials or were of noble birth during the Middle Ages.

Ferreira is a common Portuguese occupational surname that originates from the ironworker, derived from the Latin ferro (iron) and aria (air). Blacksmiths and other ironworkers were highly valued for their craft during medieval times, often given land in exchange for their services or taking on this profession as a means of livelihood.

Lima is one of the most common surnames in Portugal, originating from the city of Lima, located in the Minho province in the northwest region of Portugal. It may have also been used to indicate someone who was originally from the town of Lima or a nearby area.

The combination of these three surnames – Reis Ferreira Lima – likely resulted from multiple generations of families with distinct ancestries merging over time, creating a unique and complex family lineage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

The surname Reis-Ferreira-Lima is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. It is a combination of three common Portuguese surnames: Reis (meaning 'king'), Ferreira (associated with iron workers or from the town of Ferreira do Zezere), and Lima (originating from the historical province of Minho in northern Portugal). The name's distribution reflects the migration patterns between Portugal and Brazil, with a significant number of bearers residing in Brazil due to colonization and immigration. Smaller populations can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Angola, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as in countries with large Portuguese diaspora communities, like the United States and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

The surname Reis-Ferreira-Lima has several variations and alternative spellings. Here are some of them:

* Reis Ferreira Lima (with a space between the first two names)
* Reisferreiralima (all words merged together without spaces)
* Reis Ferreira de Lima (with "de" instead of a space between the second and third name)
* Reis-Ferreira De Lima (hyphenating "Reis-Ferreira" and keeping "De" as a separate word)
* Ressiferreiralima (with "e" replaced by "e" in the second name)
* Resisferreiralima (with "s" replaced by "s" in the first name)
* Reisferreria Lima (with "ira" instead of "ireira" in the second name)
* Raisferreiralima (with a "y" instead of an "i" in the first and third names)
* Rayesferreiralima (with a "y" instead of an "i" in the first name)

These variations may arise from slight differences in spelling, pronunciation, or orthographic conventions depending on the region, culture, or family tradition.

Famous people with the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

Cristiano Ronaldo, a renowned Portuguese professional footballer, is one of the most celebrated individuals bearing the combined surname Reis-Ferreira-Lima. Born as Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, he added the surnames of his father (Jose Dinis Aveiro) and mother's side of the family (Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, Ferreira and Lima) to create his professional name, Cristiano Ronaldo. Known for his time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has won numerous accolades, including five Ballon d'Or awards and multiple Champions League titles. Another notable figure with the last name Reis-Ferreira-Lima is Pedro Nuno Pinto de Magalhães Castro e Noronha Reis Ferreira Lima, a Portuguese diplomat who served as Ambassador to Portugal in several countries during his career.

Genealogical research on the last name Reis-ferreira-lima

The surname Reis-Ferreira-Lima has Portuguese origins, with elements from three distinct Portuguese patronymics. "Reis" means 'king' and is one of the most common surnames in Portugal. "Ferreira" originates from the occupation of a blacksmith or ironworker. "Lima" is derived from the town Lima in northern Portugal, indicating a person who was born there or lived there at some point in their ancestry. This surname may have evolved over time due to various factors such as spelling variations, nicknames, and regional dialects. The Reis-Ferreira-Lima family lineage can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula, with potential migratory movements to Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries due to colonial expansion and immigration waves.

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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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