NomOrigine Background

Last Name Teotonio

What is the origin of the last name Teotonio?

The surname Teotonio is of Portuguese origin. It derives from the Latin word "deo-teotus," meaning "given by God." This surname was often given to children born after a difficult or miraculous pregnancy, and it became a common surname among Portuguese-speaking families. The name was brought to various parts of the world by Portuguese explorers, colonizers, and immigrants, making it a widely distributed name today.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Teotonio

The meaning and origin of the last name Teotonio

The surname Teotonio is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the Latin term "Dei donum," which translates to "gift of God." This surname was often given to individuals born out of wedlock as a way to acknowledge their birth, as it signified that they were considered a gift or blessing from God. The name Teotonio became more common during the Middle Ages in Portugal and was brought to other Portuguese colonies, such as Brazil, due to immigration and colonization. It is now a relatively uncommon surname found primarily among the Portuguese-speaking population around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Teotonio

The surname Teotonio is predominantly found in Portugal and its diaspora communities, reflecting its origins from that country. In Portugal, it's most prevalent in regions such as Minho, Braga, Porto, and Lisbon, although it can be found throughout the country. The name also has a presence in Brazil, particularly in the states of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and São Paulo, due to Portuguese immigration during colonial times and later periods. Additionally, there are Teotonio families in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique as a result of historical migration patterns. The name can also be found among the Portuguese diaspora communities in North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania, where it is mostly concentrated in urban areas with significant Portuguese populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Teotonio

The last name Teotonio has several variations and spellings, stemming from Portuguese origin. Here are some possible forms:

1. Teotonio - This is the original and most common spelling of the surname, which means "divine birth" in Latin.
2. De Teotonio - This form includes the preposition "de," a common practice in Portuguese and Spanish to denote nobility or lineage. So, De Teotonio means "from Teotonio."
3. Theotonio - In some cases, the name may be spelled with an initial capital T instead of D, as English convention tends to omit the definite article "de" in surnames.
4. Da Teotonio - Similar to De Teotonio, this variation includes the preposition "da," which means "of" or "from." It also implies nobility or lineage and is a common practice in Portuguese and some Spanish-speaking regions.
5. Tetotoniou, Teotoniu, Teotonius - These variations are phonetic adaptations of the name to different languages or dialects. The former may represent an attempt at spelling the name with the phonetic "t" sound in Greek, while the latter two could be variations due to mispronunciation or typos.
6. Teotonio-Garcia - In some cases, the name may be combined with another surname, as is common in Portuguese and Spanish cultures when a woman keeps her maiden name upon marriage.

Famous people with the last name Teotonio

Teotonio de Souza Vieira de Matos, also known as Eca de Queiroz, was a Portuguese author and politician, born in 1845, who is considered one of the most important figures in Portuguese literature. Known for his realistic novels that depicted the social conditions of his time, he was a member of the Generation of '70, a group of influential writers in Portugal. Another notable individual with the surname Teotonio is António Augusto de Teotonio, a former Prime Minister of Mozambique who served from 1986 to 1990 during the transition period from one-party rule to multiparty democracy. Additionally, there is José Maria Teotonio de Almeida, a Brazilian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who was appointed as the Archbishop of Brasília in 2013 by Pope Francis.

Genealogical research on the last name Teotonio

The Teotonio surname is primarily found in Portugal and Brazil. Its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in Portugal, where it is believed to have derived from the personal name Theodotus, a variant of the Greek name Theophilos, meaning "friend of God."

The first recorded spelling of the surname Teotonio appeared in the 13th century in Portugal. The name spread to Brazil during the colonial period due to Portuguese immigration. Notable individuals with this surname include Manuel Teotonio de Sousa, a prominent Portuguese politician and diplomat, and Jose Teotonio de Faria, a Brazilian lawyer and politician.

The Teotonios in Brazil are primarily concentrated in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, with a smaller presence in other states as well. In Portugal, they are most common in the districts of Lisbon and Setúbal. The distribution pattern suggests that the name may have been carried to Brazil by settlers from these areas during the colonial period.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Teo groop (Last name)

surnames > teo-groop

The last name "Teo Groop" is of Finnish origin. "Teo" is a Finnish first name of Greek origin, meaning "gift of God," and "Groop" is a Finnish surname of uncertain origin.

Teodoresco (Last name)

surnames > teodoresco

The last name Teodoresco is of Romanian origin and is a variant of the surname Teodoru, which is derived from the Romanian given name Teodor, meaning "gift of God." This surname is...

Teodori (Last name)

surnames > teodori

The last name Teodori is of Italian origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Teodoro, which means "gift of God" in Greek. It is a common surname in Italy, par...

Teodosio (Last name)

surnames > teodosio

The last name Teodosio is of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the given name Theodosius, which is of Greek origin and means "given by God" or "gift of God." This surname...

Teodozio (Last name)

surnames > teodozio

The surname Teodozio is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Theodosius, which was a common name in ancient times, especially in the Roman Empire. The name Theodosi...

Teofănescu (Last name)

surnames > teof-nescu

The last name "Teofnescu" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the given name "Teofil," which is of Greek origin meaning "friend of god" or "lover of god." The suffix "-escu" ...

Teofilo (Last name)

surnames > teofilo

The surname Teofilo has its origin in Italy, deriving from the given name Theophilus, which means "lover of God" in Greek. It is a patronymic surname indicating descent from an anc...

Teopaco (Last name)

surnames > teopaco

The last name Teopaco is likely of Spanish origin. It does not have a specific meaning in Spanish, so it may be a surname that was derived from a place name, a profession, or a per...

Teora (Last name)

surnames > teora

The last name "Teora" does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning. It is a relatively rare surname and may have multiple possible origins depending on the specific family o...

Teot (Last name)

surnames > teot

The last name "Teot" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Tout," which means "all" or "entire." It likely originated as a nickname for someone who ...

Teouri (Last name)

surnames > teouri

I'm sorry, but I couldn't find any information on the origin of the last name "teouri." It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon surname, or that it may have origins in a speci...