Surname Coelho - Meaning and Origin
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Unmasking the Coelho Lineage: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Test Results
Diving into the realms of my ancestry through an iGENEA DNA test, I discovered that my Coelho lineage resort far beyond Portugal. Astonishingly, it extends into Spain, Morocco, Italy, and even Eastern Europe, casting a new light onto our family traditions, customs, and even physical traits.
T. Coelho
read moreCoelho: What does the surname Coelho mean?
Coelho is a Portuguese surname that translates to "rabbit" in English. This name is most commonly used in Portugal, Brazil, and other countries where Portuguese is spoken. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who had characteristics associated with a rabbit, such as speed or timidity. Alternatively, it might have been a name for a person who raised or hunted rabbits. The name is renowned worldwide because of the famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, known for his novel "The Alchemist". As with any surname, there are many families with the name Coelho who are not related. The use of animal names as surnames is a common practice in many cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisCoelho: Where does the name Coelho come from?
The last name Coelho is of Portuguese origin, derived from the word "coelho" which means "rabbit" in Portuguese. It is hypothesized that the name might have been a nickname for someone industrious and quick, or possibly given to someone who lived in a place inhabited by rabbits. The name is quite common in Portugal and Brazil, a reflection of the lasting impact of Portuguese colonization. It is also found among Portuguese communities in other parts of the world such as Africa, Asia, and North America. While Coelho is a common surname, it also gained global recognition through Paulo Coelho, the renowned Brazilian author of the bestselling novel "The Alchemist".
Variations of the surname Coelho
Coelho is a Portuguese surname. Its Spanish equivalent is Conejo, both meaning rabbit. Variations of the surname Coelho can depend on regional dialects, historical spellings and even translation into other languages. In English, a translation of the surname might be Rabbit or Hare more informally.
Alternative spellings and variations include Coello, Cuelho and Coelha (feminine version). Some Portuguese surnames, including Coelho, have used prefixes like "dos" or "do", for instance Dos Coelhos or Do Coelho, which place emphasis on the family's place of origin or a notable ancestor.
In Brazil, surnames were often altered slightly upon immigration due to varying levels of literacy or changes in the record-keeping process, consequently, further variations like Cuelho, Coalho or Colho might exist.
Be aware that even though the name can be translated into different languages (like "Rabbit" in English, "Lapin" in French, "Kaninchen" in German or "Conejo" in Spanish), these are not usually considered variants as they don't maintain the original phonetic or historical heritage. The same logic applies to surnames derived from "rabbit" in other languages, they are different surnames, despite sharing an etymological root.
Famous people with the name Coelho
- Paulo Coelho: Brazilian author famous for his novel "The Alchemist"
- Nick Coelho: Professional American soccer player.
- Robert Coelho: Australian footballer who played for Sydney Olympic FC.
- Walter Coelho: Brazilian politician and physician.
- Adnet Coelho: Brazilian surrealist painter.
- Raquel Coelho: Portuguese politician
- Joaquim Coelho: Portuguese military officer known for his role in the Siege of Porto.
- Jocelin Coelho: Mexican footballer.
- Brian Coelho: Member of the band "Coelho and Ridnell"
- Manuel Coelho: Portuguese actor.
- Aldo Coelho: Brazilian footballer.
- Érico Coelho: Brazilian footballer.
- Tiago Coelho: Portuguese professional footballer.
- Anselmo Coelho: Portuguese explorer.
- Pedro Coelho: Portuguese singer and television personality. These are some of the people whose last name is Coelho, which is a common surname in Portugal and Brazil.