What is the origin of the last name Vieira-de-souza?
Vieira de Souza is a Portuguese surname that consists of two components: "Vieira" and "de Souza."
The surname Vieira has its origins in the town of Vieira do Minho, in Portugal's Minho province. The name is thought to be derived from the Latin word "vivera," which means "eel" or "living thing." In medieval times, it was common for people who lived near a body of water where eels could be found to take names that were associated with those animals.
The surname de Souza, on the other hand, is derived from the Portuguese word "sousa," which means "boar" or "wild pig." The name was originally given as a nickname to someone who resembled a wild boar or lived near an area where wild boars were abundant.
Over time, these two surnames came together to form the compound surname Vieira de Souza. It is believed that this combination of names became popular in Portugal during the Middle Ages, when it was common for families to take on multiple surnames as a way of distinguishing themselves from others with similar-sounding names. Today, Vieira de Souza can be found throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, particularly in Brazil and Portugal.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Vieira-de-souza
The meaning and origin of the last name Vieira-de-souza
The surname Vieira-de-Souza is a Portuguese composite name, consisting of two separate elements: Vieira and de Souza. The name Vieira originates from the Medieval Latin "viverra" meaning weasel or otter, which was used as a nickname for someone resembling a weasel, perhaps in physical appearance or behavior. The surname de Souza is of Moorish origin and was given to people who converted to Christianity from Islam, specifically the Souaya tribe. It is believed that these individuals were granted land and titles by Portuguese rulers during the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. The combination of Vieira and de Souza forms a unique surname that is commonly found among Portuguese-speaking communities, particularly in Brazil.
Geographical distribution of the last name Vieira-de-souza
The surname Vieira-de-Souza is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries due to its Brazilian and Portuguese origins. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 2,000 most common surnames, with the highest concentrations in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraíba. The name is also found in Portugal, where it holds a lower prevalence compared to Brazil but still appears in several regions such as Lisbon, Porto, and the Azores. Outside of these countries, the Vieira-de-Souza surname can be traced among Portuguese diaspora communities in countries like Angola, Mozambique, and other former Portuguese colonies, as well as in immigrant populations in North America, Europe, and Oceania.
Variants and spellings of the last name Vieira-de-souza
The surname Vieira-de-Souza has several variations and spelling alternatives due to differences in translation, transcription, and regional dialects. Some common variations include de Souza Vieira, Vieirade Souza, Vieira Souza, and Souza Vieira. Additionally, there might be variations resulting from misspellings or phonetic transliterations in different languages. For instance, in Portuguese (the original language), the name could also be written as Vieira de Souza, Sousa Vieira, or Souza Vieyra, reflecting common Portuguese orthographic changes such as "de" being replaced with "de" + "h" or "d'e", and "ie" being replaced with "i" + "e". The correct spelling can depend on the specific family or individual's preference.
Famous people with the last name Vieira-de-souza
Notable individuals with the surname Vieira de Souza include:
1. Cafu (Marcos Evanildo de Oliveira Vieira), a Brazilian former professional footballer who won the World Cup as both a player and a coach.
2. Ricardo Vieira de Souza, commonly known as Kaká, a Brazilian professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or second striker for Real Madrid, Milan, and Sao Paulo, among others.
3. Anderson Vieira de Souza, professionally known as Anderson, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
4. Paulo César Vieira de Souza, commonly known as Paulo César, is a retired Brazilian footballer who primarily played as a central defender. He won four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus and the 2006 World Cup with Brazil.
5. Bruno Miguel Vieira de Souza, better known by his nickname 'Naldo', is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Fortuna Düsseldorf. Born in Brazil, he moved to Germany at the age of six.
Genealogical research on the last name Vieira-de-souza
The Vieira-de-Souza surname is of Portuguese origin, tracing back to medieval times. The name comprises two elements: "Vieira," which refers to someone from the town of Vieira in Portugal, and "de Souza," indicating a connection to the noble Souza family. The Souza clan hails from the region of Trás-os-Montes in northern Portugal and was established during the High Middle Ages by Martim Soares de Albergaria, who received the lands granted by King Sancho I of Portugal in 1209. Over time, various branches of the family spread across regions such as Minho, Beira, and Alentejo, adopting different variations of the surname. The Vieira-de-Souza lineage also extended to Brazil during colonial times due to Portuguese exploration and settlement in South America.
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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