What is the origin of the last name Soares-de-almeida?
Soares-de-Almeida is a Portuguese surname, with origins rooted in the medieval period. The name "Soares" is derived from the occupation or nickname "suárez," which means "the one who sued (or was sued)" in Old Spanish and Portuguese. This name was popular among the Iberian Peninsula's early settlers and later spread to Portugal due to migration, colonization, and the Reconquista during the Middle Ages.
The addition of "de Almeida" indicates a place of origin. Almeida is a municipality in Portugal, located in Guarda district. It is likely that the Soares family originated from this region and took on the name as a means of identifying their geographical origin. Thus, Soares-de-Almeida refers to someone who comes from or hails from the town of Almeida, where the Soares family resided originally.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Soares-de-almeida
The meaning and origin of the last name Soares-de-almeida
The surname Soares de Almeida is a Portuguese patronymic and locative name. The term "Soares" derives from the diminutive form of the personal name Suaro, which means 'sow' or 'boar' in Old High German. This name was popularized by Saint Victor Suardo, a 6th-century Galician bishop, whose name evolved into Soare and eventually Soares in Portugal.
The addition "de Almeida" indicates that the original bearer of this surname lived near or originated from a place called Almeida. Almeida is a common toponym in Portugal, derived from the Old Portuguese term almedor, meaning 'fortified citadel' or 'watchtower'. Together, Soares de Almeida signifies that the original bearer either resided near such a fortification, or was associated with someone who did. The name is commonly found among the Iberian peninsula's Portuguese population and its diaspora.
Geographical distribution of the last name Soares-de-almeida
The surname Soares-de-Almeida is predominantly found in Portugal and its former colonies, particularly Brazil, due to historical migration patterns. In Portugal, it is most common in the northern regions such as Porto and Minho, where the Almeida family had significant influence during medieval times. The addition of "Soares" indicates a relationship or ancestry from the Soares lineage, which is also prevalent in Portugal.
In Brazil, the surname Soares-de-Almeida is quite common, reflecting the large Portuguese immigration to the country during the 16th and 17th centuries, when Brazil was a Portuguese colony. Today, it can be found throughout Brazil, but particularly in the southeastern states such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where many early Portuguese settlers initially established themselves.
The surname also appears sporadically in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, due to further migration from Brazil. However, it is less common outside these areas with significant Portuguese influence.
Variants and spellings of the last name Soares-de-almeida
The surname Soares-de-Almeida has several variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common versions include Soares Almeida, Soares da Almeida, Soares de Alemida, and Soares d'Almeida. In Portuguese, the apostrophe is not typically used, so the name can also be found as Soares De Almeida without an apostrophe. It is also possible to find variations with different accents or diacritics, such as Soares de Álmeida or Soares de Almeada, reflecting local dialects and historical transcriptions. These variations all stem from the original name, which consists of two parts: Soares, a common Portuguese surname derived from the occupation of a blacksmith (faber in Latin), and de Almeida, which is another common Portuguese surname likely derived from the location Almieda, in northern Portugal.
Famous people with the last name Soares-de-almeida
Notable individuals sharing the surname Soares de Almeida include:
1. José de Almeida Soares (1897-1964), a Portuguese lawyer and politician who served as the President of Portugal from 1958 until his death in 1964.
2. Paulo Soares de Almeida (born 1930), a Brazilian engineer and politician, who served as the Governor of Piauí state between 1979 and 1983.
3. José Vicente de Oliveira Soares de Almeida (born 1946), better known as Zeca Pagodinho, a renowned Brazilian singer-songwriter and musician in the samba genre.
4. Jorge Ferreira Soares de Almeida (1905–1972), also known as Jorge de Almeida, a prominent Portuguese composer and musicologist.
5. João Carlos Soares de Almeida (born 1963), a Brazilian actor, best recognized for his role as Sargento Major Edmundo in the TV series A Favorita.
These individuals have made significant contributions to various fields such as politics, music, and acting, leaving lasting impacts in their respective industries and countries.
Genealogical research on the last name Soares-de-almeida
The Soares-de-Almeida surname is of Portuguese origin, stemming from two separate but intertwined lineages: Soares and Almeida. The Soares lineage is one of the most ancient and noble families in Portugal, with roots traced back to the 10th century. They are believed to have originated from Sousa, a town in northern Portugal, where they held significant power during the Middle Ages.
The Almeida lineage also has medieval origins, stemming from the county of Almeida in eastern Portugal. The Almeidas were influential in the Christian Reconquista and held various positions of power throughout Portuguese history.
The combination of these two surnames, Soares-de-Almeida, likely occurred due to marriages between members of both families. Notable figures with this surname include Martim Afonso de Sousa, the 2nd Governor-General of Brazil, and Rodrigo de Almeida Coutinho, a Portuguese nobleman who played an essential role in the administration of the colonies during the Age of Discoveries.
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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