Some of these names have become so popular that they were associated with the working class, which does not diminish their historical importance
In Brazil, more than 70% of the population carries in the surnames some inheritance of Portuguese origin. This means that most civil records still today carries direct influences of colonization, especially in family titles that have crossed centuries.
Some of these names have become so popular that they were associated with the working class, often pejoratively, which does not diminish their historical importance.
The expression “surnames of poor” viralized on social networks as a joke, but behind it has long been ancestry, old and migration occupations.
Below are six of the most common titles among Brazilians, with their origins and estimated number of people who carry them. See!
6 “poor” surnames that are very common in Brazil (you probably have one):
1. SILVA DE SOUZA
Both names are very strong in Brazil and together form an extremely present pair in birth certificates across the country. “Silva” comes from Latin Silva, which means forest.
Already “Souza” (or Sousa) is derived from a region of Portugal called Sousa. It is estimated that more than 15 million Brazilians have at least one of these two in their records.
2. Tavares
Toponymic name, that is, linked to a geographical place. Tavares is a Portuguese village in the Mangualde region. The first to use it were landlords, but in Brazil the name became popular between former slave and rural workers. Today, about 400,000 Brazilians have this title in their identification.
3. Cardoso
Also originated from Portuguese regions, “Cardoso” is linked to places with abundance of thistles, a thorny plant. It was used to designate families living in these areas. Over time, it was one of the surnames that spread between soldiers, manual workers and workers. Currently, almost 1 million people in Brazil share this name.
4. Lima
This term may have multiple origins: geographical (reference to the Lima River, Portugal) or occupational (who used or manufactured files, metal tool). It is one of the oldest family titles, common among farmers and artisans. Approximately 700,000 Brazilians carry it.
5. Rocha
Derived from the Latin Rocca term, it means stone or rock. Initially associated with mountainous regions or families living on rugged terrain, it eventually spread in colonial Brazil. It is estimated that more than 600,000 people in the country have this name in the ID.
6. Birth of the saints
Both with strong religious influence are common in ex-slave baptisms that had no registered family inheritance.
“Birth” is linked to the birth of Christ, while “dos saints” was often given to abandoned children or welcomed by religious institutions. Today, the two titles total more than 5 million records.
Bonuses: Oliveira and Pires
He thought he would escape, wouldn’t he? Well, “Oliveira” refers to the olive tree and was used by families who worked with olive oil or lived in regions of cultivation. “Pires” literally means “son of Peter” (a variation of “peres” or “perez”). Together, they add another 7 million records throughout Brazil.
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