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Last Name Santos-pereira

What is the origin of the last name Santos-pereira?

Santos-Pereira is a Portuguese surname that originated from two distinct elements: "Santos" and "Pereira." 1. Santos: This part of the surname refers to someone who was named after a saint, as "Santos" means 'of the saints' in Portuguese. The specific saint may not be identifiable due to common naming practices during medieval times when many individuals were named after patron saints. 2. Pereira: The last part of the surname, "Pereira," indicates that the individual likely originated from a location named Pereira, which was common in various regions of Portugal. For example, there are several places called "Santa Maria de Pereira" throughout the country, so it is challenging to pinpoint the exact place of origin without additional context. In summary, Santos-Pereira is a Portuguese surname formed by combining "Santos," which means 'of the saints,' and "Pereira," which likely refers to someone who came from a location named Pereira.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Santos-pereira

The meaning and origin of the last name Santos-pereira

The surname Santos-Pereira is a Portuguese compound name, formed by combining two distinct elements: Santos and Pereira. The first part, Santos, is derived from the Latin word 'sanctus,' meaning holy or saintly. It was likely initially used as a baptismal name for those born on feast days dedicated to Christian saints. Over time, it evolved into a surname.

The second part, Pereira, originates from the Portuguese word for pear tree, 'pera-eiro.' This surname was often given to individuals who lived near or worked with pear trees. The combination of Santos and Pereira creates a unique Portuguese surname that is widely distributed throughout Portugal, reflecting the blending of religious and occupational origins in Portuguese naming traditions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Santos-pereira

The last name Santos-Pereira has its roots in Portugal, specifically in the regions of Algarve and Minho, due to the fusion of the traditional Portuguese surnames Santos (meaning saint) and Pereira (meaning pear tree). Over time, the migration of Portuguese individuals led to a dispersion of this surname across the globe. In Brazil, it is one of the most common Portuguese-origin surnames. In countries like Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau, which were all colonies or territories of Portugal, Santos-Pereira is also widely distributed due to immigration. In addition, a significant number of people with this surname can be found in the United States, primarily in states with large Portuguese communities such as Massachusetts, California, and Florida. The global reach of the last name Santos-Pereira reflects the historical movements of people from Portugal and its former colonies.

Variants and spellings of the last name Santos-pereira

The surname Santos-Pereira has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, local conventions, and individual preferences. Some of these include:

* Santos Pereira
* de Santos Pereira
* Santos-Pérez (Spanish variation)
* Santos Periera (Portuguese misinterpretation)
* de Sántos-Peréira (with diacritics in Portuguese)
* Santo-Pereira
* Santos Pereyra (in certain Hispanic cultures, the "r" may be added or dropped)
* Santos Pereria (less common misspelling)
* de Santos Periera (including the definite article "de")
* Sánchez-Peréz (Spanish surname with similar phonetics)
* Santos-Pereyra (phonetic variation in certain Hispanic cultures)

It is important to note that some of these variations may have different frequencies depending on the specific region or country where they are found.

Famous people with the last name Santos-pereira

Notable individuals sharing the surname Santos-Pereira include:

1. Alex Santos-Pereira: A professional footballer who played as a midfielder for several teams, including FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon in Portugal's Primeira Liga. He also represented the Portuguese national team.

2. Emanuel Santos-Pereira: Known as Manny Santos, he is an American actor best known for his role as Wes Gilbert in the television series "The Fosters" and its spinoff, "Good Trouble."

3. Luiz Carlos Alves de Sousa Santos-Pereira: Also known as Pepe, he is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Porto and the Portugal national team. He has won multiple domestic and international titles throughout his career.

4. Raphaela Maria da Conceição Santos-Pereira: A Brazilian writer and journalist, she is best known for her novels "The Mistress" (2019) and "The Wife" (2020). Her works have been translated into several languages.

5. Ricardo dos Santos-Pereira: A mathematician specializing in number theory, he has made significant contributions to the subject, including proving the Fermat's Last Theorem with Andrew Wiles and Ken Ribet.

Genealogical research on the last name Santos-pereira

The Santos-Pereira surname is a combination of two Portuguese surnames, Santos and Pereira, indicating potential origins in Portugal.

Santos is a common surname in Portugal, derived from the word 'santo' meaning saint, possibly denoting a person named for a saint or someone who lived near a religious site. The Pereira surname originates from the Portuguese word 'pereiro,' meaning pear tree grower. This surname was often given to people who lived near a pear tree or were associated with the fruit.

The combination of these two surnames suggests that individuals bearing the Santos-Pereira name may have origins in Portugal, particularly in regions where both names are prevalent. However, due to historical events such as colonization and migration, the Santos-Pereira surname can also be found in countries with significant Portuguese influences, like Brazil, Angola, and Goa (India).

A notable figure bearing the name is João de Barros Santos Pereira, a 16th-century Portuguese Jesuit historian who wrote extensively on Asian geography and 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 : 27 July 2025

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