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Last Name Ribeiro-da-silva

What is the origin of the last name Ribeiro-da-silva?

The surname "Ribeiro-da-Silva" is of Portuguese origin. Here's a breakdown: 1. Ribeiro: This part of the name refers to someone who lived near a river or stream, as "ribeiro" means 'riverbank' in Portuguese. 2. Da Silva: This is a common Portuguese patronymic surname that originally meant 'son of Silva.' Silva comes from the word 'sylva,' which means 'forest' in Latin. Therefore, the name Ribeiro-da-Silva would have been given to someone who lived near a river and was the son of a man associated with a forested area.

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

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

The surname Ribeiro-da-Silva is a Portuguese patronymic name, composed of two elements: "Ribeiro" and "da Silva". "Ribeiro" originates from the Old Portuguese word for 'riverbank' or 'riverside dweller', reflecting an early resident living near a river. The second part, "da Silva", is a toponymic name referring to someone from a place named Silva, which means 'forest'. Combined, Ribeiro-da-Silva signifies someone who originally resided by a river and later hailed from the village or region known as Silva. It's important to note that surnames in Portugal often evolved over time due to various factors such as regional variations and personal preferences, making it challenging to pinpoint exact origins for specific names. However, it is widely accepted that Portuguese surnames like Ribeiro-da-Silva emerged during the Middle Ages as a means of identifying individuals within communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ribeiro-da-silva

The surname Ribeiro-da-Silva is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it is most commonly distributed across the northern regions, including Minho, Douro, and Trás-os-Montes, due to the historical presence of the Silveiros, a medieval Portuguese noble family whose name evolved into Ribeiro-da-Silva. In Brazil, the surname is prevalent throughout the country but is particularly significant in the states of Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo, where it was brought by Portuguese immigrants during colonization. The name also has a presence in African countries like Angola and Mozambique, due to the historical movement of Portuguese people.

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

The surname Ribeiro-da-Silva has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional pronunciation, and personal preference. Some common versions include:

* Ribiero da Silva
* Ribeiro da Silveira
* Riberio da Silva
* Ribierro da Silva
* Ribeiro da Sylva
* Rybiero da Silva
* RibeirodaSilva
* Rybeirodasilva
* RebeirodaSilva (Portuguese-speaking communities in Brazil may use this variation)

These variations stem from differences in the way the name is pronounced and written, particularly due to regional accents and orthographic choices. The name Ribeiro means "river keeper" in Portuguese, while da Silva is a common patronymic surname meaning "son of Silva".

Famous people with the last name Ribeiro-da-silva

Notable individuals with the surname Ribeiro da Silva include:

1. José Eduardo dos Santos Ribeiro da Silva (born 1942), an Angolan politician who served as the President of Angola from 1979 to 2017.

2. Alexandre Apolinário de Sousa Ribeiro da Silva (1896-1935), also known as Xica da Silva, a Brazilian woman considered one of the most important figures in Brazil's history for her role in challenging racial and social norms during the 19th century.

3. António Ribeiro da Silva (born 1960), a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder, best known for his spells at Benfica, Porto, and Real Madrid. He won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016.

4. Luiz Felipe Scolari Ribeiro da Silva (born 1948), a Brazilian former footballer and manager who led Brazil to win the FIFA World Cup in 2002 as a player, and again as manager in 2006. He is also known for managing Chelsea Football Club between 2003 and 2005.

5. Rui Pedro Teixeira Ribeiro da Silva (born 1978), commonly known as Zé Castro, a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He is notable for his time at Sporting CP and the Portugal national team.

Genealogical research on the last name Ribeiro-da-silva

The surname Ribeiro-da-Silva is a Portuguese patronymic and locative name, originating from the medieval Iberian Peninsula. "Ribeiro" translates to river bank or stream keeper in Old Portuguese, while "da Silva" indicates someone from a place named Silva, which could refer to several locations due to the common use of this toponym in Portugal. The name Ribeiro-da-Silva has been widely distributed across Portugal and its former colonies, such as Brazil and Angola, due to historical migrations. Notable figures with this surname include Portuguese explorer João da Silva Ribeiro (1500-1563) and Brazilian writer Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), who is considered one of the greatest authors in the Portuguese language. The name's variations may include Ribeiro Silva, Ribeiro da Silveira, and others, as a result of regional spelling differences and surname simplification over time.

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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 : 27 July 2025

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