Last Name Vieira

The surname Vieira is a Portuguese and Galician (a region in northwestern Spain) patronymic name derived from the medieval given name "Viera," which comes from the Latin name "Verus" or "Firme," meaning "truthful" or "firm." This name was popular during the Middle Ages, particularly among the Visigoths. The Portuguese and Galician version of the surname may have evolved from the Latin name "Verus" or the Spanish version "Vera," eventually becoming Vieira as it is known today.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vieira

The meaning and origin of the last name Vieira

The surname Vieira is a Portuguese name that originates from the Occitan word "viera" or Old French "vièr", which means "green oak". It was originally used as a nickname for someone who lived near an oak tree, or more specifically, a green oak tree. Over time, this name became common in Portugal and its territories, such as Brazil, due to the influence of the Portuguese language and colonization. The spelling variations of Vieira can also be found as Weyra, Veira, Veer, and Veiras, reflecting regional pronunciation differences.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vieira

The surname Vieira is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it originates from the region of Minho, specifically the town of Vieira do Minho, and has since spread throughout the country. In Brazil, it ranks as one of the most common surnames due to the large migration of Portuguese settlers during colonial times. The name is also found in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, reflecting historical links between these regions and Portugal. Additionally, the name Vieira can be found among communities of Brazilian descent in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world where Portuguese immigrants have settled.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vieira

The surname Vieira has various spelling variations due to historical transcription errors and regional differences in pronunciation. Some common variants include:

1. Veira
2. Viera
3. de Vieira
4. da Vieira
5. D'Veira
6. Vieyra
7. Veiraa
8. De Vieyra
9. D'Vieira
10. Vieyras

These variations can be found across Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian genealogical records. It is derived from the Latin word "vitarium," meaning vineyard or grapevine, and originates from the Iberian Peninsula. The surname Vieira is common in Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and countries with a significant Portuguese or Spanish influence.

Famous people with the last name Vieira

Arsenio Hall Vieira, a stand-up comedian and actor, is renowned for his work on the sketch comedy series "Waynehead" and as a host on MTV's "Half-hour Comedy Hour." Ricardo Vieira, a Brazilian professional footballer, spent most of his career with Porto and Internazionale, winning multiple titles in Portugal and Italy. Luciano Vieira, also known as Luciano, is an Argentine actor who achieved international fame for his role as Santiago Mendoza in the Spanish-language soap opera "Rebelde" and its spinoff series "RBD: La Familia." In politics, Carla Vieira, a Cape Verdean politician, has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation since 2016. Fernando Vieira de Mello, a Brazilian diplomat, was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2005 until his death in the 2003 Baghdad bombing.

Genealogical research on the last name Vieira

The surname Vieira is commonly found among Portuguese-speaking populations, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. It originates from the medieval Iberian word "viera" or "viaria," which means "highway" or "path." In the context of family names, it was likely a nickname given to someone who lived near or worked on a road.

The Vieiras are believed to have originated in the Minho region of Portugal. The first recorded instance of the name is Rodrigo Alves Vieira in 1086. Over the centuries, members of the Vieira family played significant roles in Portuguese history, including in the Crusades and the Portuguese Discoveries.

In Brazil, the Vieiras arrived with the early Portuguese settlers, many of whom were from the Minho region. Notable Brazilians with the surname include the explorer Martim Afonso de Souza, who founded the city of São Paulo in 1554, and President Juscelino Kubitschek (born Juscelino Vieira de Queiroz), who served from 1956 to 1961.

Today, the Vieiras are a large and widely distributed family with branches throughout Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vieira"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends