Last Name Viera-da-costa

The surname Vieira da Costa has its roots in Portugal. The name Vieira is a common Portuguese patronymic derived from the given name Vicente, while da Costa refers to a person who lived near a coast or hailed from a region known as Costa. This combination of names likely evolved over time as a means to differentiate among individuals bearing similar names.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Viera-da-costa

The meaning and origin of the last name Viera-da-costa

The surname Vieira da Costa is of Portuguese origin, derived from two separate elements: "Vieira" and "da Costa."

"Vieira" means 'vineyard' or 'wild vine,' likely indicating a place where vines grew abundantly or a location marked by such a plant. On the other hand, "da Costa" translates to 'of the coast,' possibly suggesting an original residence near a coastal area or a family originating from a region with significant coastal landscapes in Portugal.

Over time, Portuguese explorers and immigrants brought this surname to various parts of the world, most notably Brazil and Africa, making it common among these regions' populations with Portuguese ancestry. Today, Vieira da Costa is widely distributed across different countries, demonstrating the family's historical migration patterns.

Geographical distribution of the last name Viera-da-costa

The surname Vieira da Costa is predominantly found in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it's most concentrated in the northwestern region of Minho and the center-western region of Leiria. In Brazil, it's commonly found in states like Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Sao Paulo, reflecting historical migrations from Portugal to Brazil during colonial times. Additionally, small populations bearing the surname Vieira da Costa can be found in other Portuguese-speaking African countries due to colonization and immigration patterns. Overall, the name reflects a strong association with the Portuguese diaspora and Portuguese cultural influence.

Variants and spellings of the last name Viera-da-costa

The surname Vieira da Costa has several variations and spellings due to historical factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors, and assimilation processes. Some common variations include:

1. Veira da Costa
2. De Veira da Costa
3. Veirada Costa
4. Veiraa da Costa
5. Veerah da Costa
6. Veerah-da-Costa
7. Veerahdacosta
8. Veira d'Costa
9. Veiradacosta
10. Vieyra da Costa
11. Vieyrada Costa
12. Vieyradacosta
13. Vieyras da Costa
14. Viera-dacosta
15. Vieirada-Costa
16. Vieiradacosta
17. Vieiras-da-Costa

These variations can be found across different countries where Portuguese is spoken, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique.

Famous people with the last name Viera-da-costa

Notable individuals with the surname Vieira da Costa include:

1. António Vieira da Cunha e Silva (1708-1769), a Portuguese military officer who played an instrumental role in the War of the Quadruple Alliance against Spain.
2. Manuel de Vieira da Silva Gorréa (1831-1885), known as Manuel Victorino, was a Brazilian composer and music educator, considered one of the founders of modern Brazilian classical music.
3. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (b. 1945), commonly known as Lula, is a Brazilian politician who served as President from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2022. He was the first working-class president in Brazil's history.
4. João Gilberto Vieira da Costa Nogueira (1945-2016), better known as Zé Gil, was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is considered one of the pioneers of sertanejo music.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as politics, music, and military service, leaving a lasting impact on their respective countries.

Genealogical research on the last name Viera-da-costa

The Vieira da Costa lineage is of Portuguese origin, with roots tracing back to the Iberian Peninsula. The surname "Vieira" is derived from the Occitan word "vivere," meaning "to live," while "da Costa" signifies "of the coast."

One notable figure bearing this name is Fernão Vieira de Castro, a 16th-century Portuguese explorer who was the first European to settle in the region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. His descendants played significant roles in Brazilian history, including the military officer Francisco Inocêncio da Costa Vieira and the politician Antônio Carlos Magalhães de Vasconcelos Vieira da Cunha.

In addition to Brazil, the Vieira da Costa family also settled in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola and Mozambique, contributing to their respective histories and cultures. The lineage remains common across these regions today, reflecting a rich heritage that spans continents and centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "viera-da-costa"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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