The 50 most common surnames in Portugal

The list is dominated by patronymics (surnames derived from a father’s given name, often ending in “-es” meaning “son of”), geographical features, and occupational names. It’s important to note that Portuguese naming conventions include both the mother’s and father’s last names (with the father’s usually coming first), which influences the prevalence of these names.

While exact rankings can vary slightly depending on sources and recent demographic shifts, the following list represents the 50 most common surnames in Portugal based on extensive census data, genealogical studies, and population frequency.

Here are the top 50 last names in Portugal, with their approximate meaning or origin:

Silva – Meaning “forest” or “woods.” By far the most common, akin to “Smith” in the English-speaking world.
Santos – Meaning “saints.” Very common, often given to children born on All Saints’ Day.
Ferreira – Occupational/geographical; means “iron mine” or “blacksmith” (from ferro, iron).
Pereira – Geographical; means “pear tree.”
Costa – Geographical; means “coast” or “riverbank.”
Oliveira – Geographical; means “olive tree.”
Martins – Patronymic; “son of Martim” (Martin).
Jesus – Religious origin; very common, especially in historical contexts.
Rodrigues – Patronymic; “son of Rodrigo” (Roderick).
Sousa – Geographical; from a river and a noble family name.
Fernandes – Patronymic; “son of Fernando” (Ferdinand).
Gonçalves – Patronymic; “son of Gonçalo.”
Gomes – Patronymic; derived from the Visigothic name “Gomo.”
Lopes – Patronymic; “son of Lopo” (an old form of lobo, wolf).
Marques – Occupational/title; “son of a Marquis” or “servant of a Marquis.”
Alves – Patronymic; “son of Álvaro.”
Almeida – Geographical; from Arabic, meaning “the plateau” or “table.”
Ribeiro – Geographical; means “small stream” or “creek.”
Pinto – Possibly a nickname; means “finch” (bird) or could refer to a spotted animal.
Carvalho – Geographical; means “oak tree.”
Teixeira – Geographical; means “yew tree.”
Moreira – Geographical; means “mulberry tree.”
Correia – Occupational; originally a maker or seller of leather belts or straps.
Mendes – Patronymic; “son of Mendo” (Menendo).
Nunes – Patronymic; “son of Nuno.”
Soares – Patronymic; “son of Soeiro” (Suarius).
Monteiro – Occupational; “hunter” or “keeper of the mountain grounds.”
Cardoso – Geographical; means “place full of thistles.”
Rocha – Geographical; means “rock” or “cliff.”
Neves – Religious; “Our Lady of the Snows” (Nossa Senhora das Neves).
Coelho – Nickname/occupational; means “rabbit,” possibly for a swift person or rabbit breeder.
Cruz – Religious; means “cross.”
Cunha – Possibly occupational; refers to a wedge or a tool, maybe for a carpenter.
Pires – Patronymic; “son of Pero” (an old form of Pedro/Peter).
Ramos – Religious; means “branches,” associated with Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos).
Reis – Occupational/nickname; means “kings,” could denote someone who worked for the king or performed in Epiphany plays.
Simões – Patronymic; “son of Simão” (Simon).
Antunes – Patronymic; “son of António” (Anthony).
Matos – Geographical; means “bushes” or “scrubland.”
Fonseca – Geographical; from Latin, meaning “dry fountain” or “hollow spring.”
Machado – Occupational; means “axe,” for an axe-maker or woodsman.
Araújo – Geographical; place name of likely pre-Roman origin.
Barbosa – Geographical; means “land with fuzzy, hairy plants.”
Tavares – Geographical; place name, likely from a Celtic origin.
Lourenço – Patronymic; derived from the given name Lawrence.
Castro – Geographical; means “fortress” or “castle,” from Latin castrum.
Figueiredo – Geographical; means “place of fig trees.”
Azevedo – Geographical; means “holly grove” or “place of azevinho trees.”
Freitas – Geographical; means “broken rocks” or “fractured stones.”
Magalhães – Geographical; place name of uncertain origin, possibly “big plain.”

Important Cultural Notes:

Regional Concentrations: Some names are much more common in specific regions (e.g., Tavares in the north, Coelho in the center, Cruz in the south and islands).
Diaspora: This list reflects Portugal proper. In Brazil, the order and frequency differ significantly (though Silva, Santos, and Oliveira are also top contenders).
Spelling Variations: Older records may include archaic spellings (e.g., d’ or de preceding a name, like d’Almeida).