Last Name Vinagre

The surname Vinagre has roots in several countries, most notably Portugal and Spain, but it is also found in other Spanish-speaking regions such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, etc. The last name "Vinagre" is derived from the Latin word "vinum acer," meaning sour wine, which in Portuguese and Spanish translates to "vino agrio." The name was originally given to someone who made or sold vinegar, a product made by fermenting alcoholic liquids like wine. Over time, it became a hereditary surname. The spread of this surname is attributed to the Roman Empire's influence and the Christian expansion during the Middle Ages. The name can also be found in other languages, such as French (Vinaigre), Italian (Aceto), German (Weinberg), and Dutch (Wijnbergen), all meaning vinegar or vineyard.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vinagre

The meaning and origin of the last name Vinagre

The surname Vinagre is primarily of Portuguese and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "vinum acetum," which translates to "vinegar." Historically, the name was often given to individuals who worked with or sold vinegar, reflecting their profession. In some cases, it could also denote a person who had distinctive features reminiscent of aged vinegar, such as a sharp wit or temperament. The surname Vinagre is quite common in countries like Portugal and Brazil due to the historical influence of the Roman Empire and the subsequent Christianization of the Iberian Peninsula. Over time, the name has spread globally through immigration and assimilation, becoming a part of various cultural tapestries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vinagre

The surname Vinagre is predominantly distributed across Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, it is most frequently found in the regions of Minho, Trás-os-Montes, Centro, and Alentejo, reflecting historical migration patterns from northern Portugal to other parts of the country. In Brazil, the name has a significant presence due to Portuguese colonization, particularly in the states of Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Goiás, and Paraná. Smaller numbers can also be found in other Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Additionally, people with the last name Vinagre reside in other parts of the world, primarily due to migration from these original regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vinagre

The surname Vinagre possesses several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. The most common English versions include Vinaigre, Vinage, Vynager, and Winagr. These variations may stem from regional pronunciation differences or historical transcription errors. In Portuguese, the name is often spelled Vinegar or Vinagre, but also can be found as Vingaor, Vingau, or Vingar. In Spanish, it's typically spelled Viñagr, although variations such as Viñaigre, Vinager, and Vynager are less common. It's essential to note that the name may take on other forms depending on the specific dialect, language, or cultural context. For example, in French, it could be Vinaigrier, while in Italian, it might be Aceto. In summary, the last name Vinagre has various spellings across languages and regions, reflecting its rich history and diverse cultural influences.

Famous people with the last name Vinagre

Notable individuals with the surname Vinagre include:

1. Jorge de Armas Vinagre (born 1974), a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs, including Porto and Real Madrid, and represented Portugal in international competitions.
2. Eduardo Vinagre (born 1986), a Brazilian-Portuguese professional basketball player who currently plays for Benfica Lisbon and the Portuguese national team.
3. Carlos Vinagre (born 1976), a Portuguese former footballer who played as a defender and is known for his time at Porto, Vitória de Setúbal, and the Portugal national team. He later became a coach, leading teams like Benfica's B team and Estoril Praia.
4. Manuel Vinagre (born 1996), a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in the English Premier League and the Portugal national team. He spent his youth career at Porto before joining Wolves in 2018.
5. Ana Vinagre (born 1973), a Portuguese actress and television presenter who started her career as a beauty queen, winning Miss Portugal in 1993 and participating in the Miss Universe pageant the same year. She has since appeared in various soap operas and hosted reality TV shows.
6. Rui Vinagre (born 1962), a Portuguese journalist, writer, and television presenter who has worked for public broadcaster RTP since the late 1980s. He is known for his work on sports journalism and presenting programs like "A Tarde é Minha".

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of sport, journalism, and entertainment, earning recognition both within Portugal and internationally.

Genealogical research on the last name Vinagre

The surname Vinagre has roots primarily in Portugal and Brazil. In Portugal, the name is believed to have originated from the Occitan word "vinagre," meaning vinegar. It was often given to someone who lived near a vinegar production facility or who was a merchant of vinegar products. The earliest known records of the Vinagre family in Portugal date back to the 13th century, with the first documented member being Simão Vinagre in 1258.

In Brazil, the name was brought by Portuguese immigrants, particularly from the Alentejo region, during the colonial era. The first recorded Vinagre family in Brazil was the Vasco de Vinagre family who settled in the state of Pernambuco in the early 16th century. The surname has since spread throughout Brazil and is now common in many regions.

Notable individuals with the surname Vinagre include the Portuguese writer António José da Silva Vinagre (1750-1819), Brazilian journalist Júlio César de Souza Vinagre (1842-1908), and the Brazilian politician Luiz Felipe Sobrinho Vinagre (born 1963). The family tree of the Vinagre surname is vast, with many branches across Portugal and Brazil.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vinagre"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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