NomOrigine Background

Last Name Valadao

What is the origin of the last name Valadao?

The surname Valadao has Portuguese origins. It is derived from a place name, "Valado," which is found in several regions of Portugal, including Trás-os-Montes and Minho. Place names ending in "-ao" are common in Portugal and indicate that the original bearer either came from this location or was associated with it, such as by living near it or being a feudal lord of the land. The name's roots can be traced back to the medieval period when many Portuguese families adopted surnames based on their place of origin.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Valadao

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Valadao

The meaning and origin of the last name Valadao

The surname Valadao is of Portuguese origin, derived from the word "valado," which means "a place where the riverbed is exposed during low tide or drought." It is most commonly found among individuals who reside or originate from Portugal. In some cases, it may also be a variant of the name Valladao, another surname with similar origins and meanings. Over time, as people emigrated from Portugal to other countries, particularly Brazil and the United States, the surname Valadao became more widespread globally. The name is often pronounced "vah-lah-dow" in Portuguese and can be written in various ways depending on regional dialects or transcriptions, such as Baldaú, Balladao, or Valdão.

Geographical distribution of the last name Valadao

The surname Valadao is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it is most concentrated in the northern regions such as Aveiro, Braga, Porto, and Viseu, where it has been historically present for centuries. In Brazil, Valadao is widely distributed across many states due to historical migration patterns, with a significant number of bearers residing in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and the Northeastern states. The name also appears sporadically in other Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Outside of Lusophone regions, there are pockets of Valadao families in the United States, particularly in California and Massachusetts, where descendants of Portuguese immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Valadao

The surname Valadao is primarily Portuguese in origin, with various spellings and variations found across different regions and dialects. Common variants include Valada, Valladao, Valadão, Valado, Valadau, and Baldaú. Other less common spelling variations may include Valdão, Valadauw, Valadeu, or even Valdeao in some cases. It is important to note that these spellings can vary depending on the specific Portuguese dialect, as well as immigration patterns and assimilation into different cultures. In the United States, for instance, it is not uncommon to find the surname spelled as Valdeaux, Valdeo, or Valdeau, among others. The name Valadao is derived from the Portuguese word "valado," meaning "clearing" or "open space," reflecting its agricultural origins in Portugal.

Famous people with the last name Valadao

Notable individuals sharing the surname Valadao include:

1. Devin Nunes (California): A Republican U.S. Representative serving California's 22nd congressional district since 2003, previously serving as the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2019 to 2021.

2. TJ Valadao (California): A professional baseball pitcher who was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 4th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He currently plays for the Houston Astros organization.

3. David Valadao (California): Also a U.S. Representative, serving California's 21st district since 2021. He previously represented the same district from 2013 to 2019 and is a member of the Republican Party.

4. Carlos Valadao (Portugal): A former footballer who played as a midfielder for various Portuguese clubs, including Sporting CP, Farense, and Beira-Mar. He also represented the Portugal national team at U-21 level.

Genealogical research on the last name Valadao

The surname Valadao is of Portuguese origin, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the place-name "Valado," meaning "low-lying land" or "marshy area" in Portuguese. The first recorded instance of the name appears in the 13th century in the County of Portucale (present-day Portugal). Over time, the Valadao family expanded across Portugal, with notable settlements in regions like Minho and Beira Alta. With the Age of Discoveries, Portuguese immigrants bearing the surname Valadao established themselves in colonies such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Goa (India), and Macau (China). In modern times, descendants of the Valadao family can be found worldwide, particularly in Portugal, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The Valadao genealogy is rich and varied, reflecting the diverse historical experiences of Portuguese diaspora.

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 : 15 June 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

Val jan (Last name)

surnames > val-jan

The surname "Valjan" is of Italian origin. It is a variant of the surname "Valiani," which is derived from the Latin word "Vallianus," meaning "related to the valley." This surname...

Valabdas (Last name)

surnames > valabdas

Valabdas is a coastal Indian (Kannada) last name that originates from the Karnataka region.

Valachery (Last name)

surnames > valachery

The surname Valachery is of Eastern European origin. It is derived from the word "valach", which was used to describe a Romanian shepherd or inhabitant of the region historically k...

Valachil (Last name)

surnames > valachil

The surname Valachil is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "vala" which means a valley or a low lying place in the Basque language. The suffix "-chil" is...

Valada (Last name)

surnames > valada

The last name Valada is of Portuguese origin. It is derived from the word "valada" which means a small valley or a fenced-in meadow in Portuguese. The surname likely originated as ...

Valadares-silva (Last name)

surnames > valadares-silva

The surname Valadares-Silva is a composite Portuguese surname, formed by merging two separate surnames, each with its own origins. The first part, "Valadares," is derived from a t...

Valadez (Last name)

surnames > valadez

The surname Valadez is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the place name "Valadez," which is a village located in the province of Soria, in the Castile and León region of Spain...

Valady (Last name)

surnames > valady

The surname Valady has French origins and is derived from the place name "Valady" in the Occitan region of southern France. The name likely refers to someone who originally came fr...

Valageas (Last name)

surnames > valageas

The surname Valageas is of Greek origin and is derived from the given name Valantinos, a variant of the more common Greek name Valentinos. The name Valantinos is derived from the L...

Valaige (Last name)

surnames > valaige

I cannot find any information on the origin of the last name "Valaige." It may be a rare or unique surname with little documented history.

Valaikaatchi (Last name)

surnames > valaikaatchi

The last name "valaikaatchi" is of Tamil origin from India. It may have originated from a combination of words or phrases in the Tamil language.

Valair (Last name)

surnames > valair

The last name Valair is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "valier," meaning "valiant," and was likely used as a nickname or surname for someone who was brave...

Valais (Last name)

surnames > valais

The last name "Valais" is of French origin. It is derived from the name of a region situated in the southwestern part of Switzerland called "Valais" or "Wallis" in German. The name...

Valakazha (Last name)

surnames > valakazha

The surname "Valakazha" has its origin in Russia and is derived from the Russian word "валакажа," which means "coastal area" or "shore." It is believed to have originated a...

Valakkadu (Last name)

surnames > valakkadu

The last name "Valakkadu" is of Indian origin. It is a surname commonly found in the Southern Indian state of Kerala.