Surname Magalhães - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Voyages of My Surname: Magalhães through iGENEA DNA Test

Unravelling the threads of my personal history with the iGENEA DNA test was a profound journey into my ancestral past. The testimony of my genes illuminated the rich lineage of my surname, Magalhães. The echo of an 11th-century Portuguese origin, links to a renowned maritime explorer, and imprints of a diaspora unfolded a powerful narrative that grounds my identity in a legacy of resilience and exploration.

K. Magalhães

Magalhães: What does the surname Magalhães mean?

The last name Magalhães is a common Portuguese surname. It is derived from the Latin word 'magnalia' meaning 'great and glorious things'. The name was typically given to people who had achieved great success in their lives or had a glorious and heroic reputation.

The earliest known record of the name is from Galicia in northern Spain, where it was used to identify a prominent family during the 12th century. From there the name spread to Portugal and the rest of Western Europe.

Throughout the centuries, the Magalhães name has been associated with a variety of noble individuals, including Royalty and prominent public figures. Pedro Álvares Cabral was a 15th century Portuguese navigator and explorer who is credited with being the first European to discover Brazil. This was arguably one of the greatest achievements of the time, and Cabral's Portuguese name was Magalhães.

In modern times, the Magalhães name is still beloved and respected in Portugal. Many Portuguese families take pride in their Magalhães heritage and try to uphold the values associated with their surname.

In a few Portuguese-speaking countries, Magalhães is also used to describe a type of fish or a type of flower. In Brazil, a popular, traditional cake is even called Bolo de Magalhães, which translates to Magalhães Cake.

Overall, the Magalhães name is associated with a long and rich history. It is a name that is often associated with greatness and achievements, and it continues to be respected and admired in Portugal and abroad.

Magalhães: Where does the name Magalhães come from?

The last name Magalhães is most common today in Portugal and its former colonies, such as Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Magalhães family is probably of Portuguese nobility. In Portugal, the surname is most common in the north, specifically in the Porto, Braga, Aveiro and Viseu districts.

Brazil is home to many Magalhães families, especially in the northeastern states such as Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará. It is also very common in Sao Paulo, which is home to one of the largest Portuguese-speaking populations in the world.

Women with the last name Magalhães who marry someone with another last name will retain their birth name, although men may change their surname to the one of their spouse and children of either gender may use either name.

The last name Magalhães is quite distinctive and can be found in many areas of the world where Portuguese people have settled, though its usage varies from region to region. In some countries, such as the United States, it is very rare and may be written in a variety of ways, including Magalhães, Magalhes, or even Magalhee.

Variations of the surname Magalhães

The surname Magalhães has various variants, spellings and surnames or names of the same origin.

In Portugal, the surnames Magellan, Magalois, Magaran, Magavero, Magalhães, Magalhãez and some others that have a variation of the same root, Magallanes.

In Spain it is spelled Magallanes, Maalhanes, Maalhausen, Maalhans and some others with a variation of the same root.

In Italy the surname is written Magellano, Malagalo, Magalem, Magaliy, Malacacheta and some others with a variation of the same root.

The surname is also found in other countries such as Brazil, where it is written Magalhães, Magalhães and Magellan, Mexico where it is written Magalanes and Machalannes, and other countries like the United Stated, Peru, France and the Philippines, where the surname is spelled with different variations.

This surname has many origins and has a basis in Portuguese, Spanish and Italian variants. Its root is most likely derived from Galicia, Spain, which is the place of origin for the name Magellan.

Thus, the surnames Magellan, Magalhães, Magalois, Magaran, Magavero, Magallanes, Maalhanes, Maalausen, Maalhans, Magellano, Malagalo, Magalem, Magaliy, Malacacheta, Magalhães, Magalhãez, Machalannes and more have the same origin.

Famous people with the name Magalhães

• Pedro Magalhães: Portuguese actor.
• Eurico de Aguiar Salles Magalhães: Brazilian football player.
• Catarina Magalhães: Portuguese actress.
• Vítor Magalhães: Portuguese actor.
• Sílvia Magalhães: Portuguese civil engineer.
• António Jacinto Nunes Magalhães: Portuguese politician and former Prime Minister.
• Scope Magalhães: Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist.
• Virgínia Magalhães: Portuguese TV presenter.
• Lídia Magalhães: Portuguese-Brazilian dancer, teacher, and choreographer.
• Gilmara Magalhães: Brazilian microbiologist.
• Dilma Magalhães: Portuguese physician and geneticist, as well as professor in the University of Porto.
• Andréia Magalhães: Brazilian actress.
• Fernando Magalhães: Brazilian-Portuguese entrepreneur and business executive.
• Jorge Magalhães: Portuguese songwriter and guitarist.
• Alexandra Magalhães: Portuguese artist.
• António Magalhães: Portuguese lawyer and jurist.
• Carlos Magalhães: Portuguese psychologist and professor.
• João Magalhães: Former Portuguese professional road bicycle racer and coach.
• Ana Magalhães: Portuguese actress, dancer, and choreographer.
• José Magalhães: Brazilian football manager.

Other surnames

MagalhãesMagalhasMagalhayes