Last Name Silva-vicente

The surname Silva-Vicente is a combination of two Portuguese surnames, "Silva" and "Vicente." "Silva" is derived from the Latin word "silva," which means forest or wood. It was originally used to describe someone who lived in a wooded area. "Vicente" comes from the Roman name Vincentius, which means "conqueror" or "victorious." The name was given to a child born on the feast day of Saint Vincent, which falls on January 22nd. The combination of these two surnames, Silva-Vicente, likely occurred when two individuals with the separate surnames Silva and Vicente married and passed down their combined surname to their offspring. The specific origin of a particular Silva-Vicente family may vary depending on their individual history and geographical location.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Silva-vicente

The meaning and origin of the last name Silva-vicente

The surname Silva-Vicente is a Portuguese composite name, derived from two separate patronymic names that have distinct origins and meanings.

The first part, "Silva," originates from the Latin word "silvā" meaning forest or wood. During medieval times in Portugal, it was often given as a surname to people who lived near forests or woods, worked in the forest, or came from families that owned large tracts of forested land.

The second part, "Vicente," is derived from the Latin name "Victor" and the diminutive suffix "-entus," meaning winner or conqueror. The name Vicente was commonly given to children born during a victorious battle or campaign in honor of their victory. Over time, it evolved into a surname.

In combination, Silva-Vicente represents an individual who may have originated from the forested regions and has ancestors with a history of success or conquest. It is common among Portuguese speakers, particularly those of Galician descent due to historical connections between Portugal and Galicia, Spain.

Geographical distribution of the last name Silva-vicente

The surname Silva-Vicente is predominantly distributed across Portugal and Brazil, reflecting its Portuguese origins. In Portugal, it ranks among the most common surnames, with significant concentrations in the north and center regions, particularly in the Minho, Douro, and Ave provinces. This can be attributed to the historical influence of the Silva family, who played a key role in the Christian Reconquista during the Middle Ages.

In Brazil, the name is also common due to Portuguese immigration during colonial times. The largest population of Silva-Vicentes in Brazil is found in the Southeast region, particularly in São Paulo and Minas Gerais states. This migration pattern can be linked to the economic boom of the sugarcane plantations and the mining industry in those regions during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Additionally, smaller populations of Silva-Vicentes can be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, as a result of further waves of migration from Portugal to its former colonies.

Variants and spellings of the last name Silva-vicente

The surname Silva-Vicente has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, or personal preference. Some common variations include:

1. Silva Vicente - This is the most straightforward version, with a hyphen separating the two parts of the name.
2. Silva-Viciente - This variation includes an additional 'e' at the end.
3. Silvavicente - This version omits the hyphen, which is common in some countries and cultures.
4. De Silva Vicente - This form adds "de" before the name, which can be used to indicate nobility or paternity in certain Spanish-speaking regions.
5. Del Silvavicente - Another form that starts with "del," which means "of" in Spanish, is also found occasionally.
6. Silva y Vicente - This version separates the two parts of the name with "y," which translates to "and" in Spanish, and it's another way to denote a family name or compound surname.
7. Silvavicenti - This variation uses the Italian plural suffix "-i" instead of the hyphen. However, it is less common among those of Portuguese origin.

These variations show how names can be influenced by regional dialects and cultural nuances over time.

Famous people with the last name Silva-vicente

Notable individuals with the surname Silva-Vicente include:

1. Pedro Henrique Silva Vicente (born 1998), a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for AEK Athens FC.
2. Maria do Céu Silva Vicente (born 1963), a Portuguese politician and Member of the European Parliament since 2014.
3. Carlos Silva-Vicente (born 1957), a Spanish historian specializing in Medieval studies, especially in the history of Catalonia.
4. Ricardo Silva Vicente (born 1987), a Portuguese footballer who plays as a defender for UD Almería and the Portugal national team.
5. Ana Paula da Silva Vicente (born 1967), a Brazilian politician, journalist, and writer, serving as a federal deputy since 2015.

These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as sports, politics, history, and literature.

Genealogical research on the last name Silva-vicente

The surname Silva-Vicente is a combination of two distinct Portuguese surnames, Silva and Vicente, reflecting a possible ancestral union between these families. The origin of the surname Silva dates back to medieval Portugal, derived from the Latin word "silva," meaning forest or wood. Members of this family likely lived near forests or woods, serving as woodsmen or foresters. On the other hand, Vicente is also of Latin origin, derived from Victor, a Roman name meaning victor or conqueror.

The Silva-Vicente lineage can be traced back to various regions in Portugal, including Minho, Trás-os-Montes, and Lisbon. The family may have migrated to other countries during periods of political instability or economic hardship, such as the 16th century when many Portuguese emigrated to Brazil due to religious persecution and economic opportunities. It is also possible that the Silva-Vicente family spread across the globe with the growth of colonial powers like Portugal.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "silva-vicente"
• 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 : 31 July 2025

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