Surname Silveira - Meaning and Origin
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Silveira: What does the surname Silveira mean?
The last name Silveira is derived from the Portuguese word silveira, which means “person who lives in or near a wooded grove” or “woodland dwelling”. It is also likely related to the Spanish word silva, meaning the same.
The last name Silveira is believed to have first originated in Spain; however, it is also found in countries with former Portuguese colonies, such as Brazil and Mozambique. In Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the name has become widely used and associated with the idea of a rural dweller.
The name Silveira is a particularly common name in Portugal, being the 19th most common name there, according to the country’s institute of Statistics. It is also a popular name in Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as in Portugal’s former colonies in Brazil, Mozambique, and elsewhere.
The Silveira name has been adopted by many different families around the world for various reasons. It is known to be a classic name, but also a symbol of the rural past and a mark of distinction for families living in the Portuguese countryside.
The name Silveira is not exclusive to one particular group of people, but is known to have been adopted by many different families throughout the world. As such, it is thought to be a symbol of merging heritage and a uniting force, connecting different cultures all over the world.
Order DNA origin analysisSilveira: Where does the name Silveira come from?
The last name Silveira is commonly found in Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries. In Portugal, the name Silveira is widely dispersed throughout the country but is particularly common in the North, particularly in Beiras, Norte, and Minho. In Brazil, the name Silveira is particularly common in the states of Sao Paulo, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul.
In the United States, the last name Silveira is more common in areas with higher levels of Portuguese immigration, specifically the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Other areas with substantial concentrations of people bearing the name include California, Texas, New York, Florida, Arizona, and Alaska.
Outside of the US, Canada has significant Portuguese immigration, particularly in Quebec, where the name Silveira is noticeable. In Australia, the name is also found in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
In short, the last name Silveira is fairly widely dispersed around the world but may be more prominently found in areas with high Portuguese immigration.
Variations of the surname Silveira
The surname Silveira is a Portuguese and Spanish patronymic surname, derived from the Latin Silva, meaning 'forest' or 'wood'. This surname can be found in other countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Galicia.
Variants of the surname Silveira include Silveiro, Silveyra, Silvera, and Sillivera. Silveiro is the Portuguese variant of the patronymic surname and is derived from the Latin Silva, meaning ‘forest’ or ‘wood’. Silvera and Silveyra are alternate spellings of Silveira. Sillivera is an ornate variant of the surname, which derives from the Old Spanish word for 'pomegranate'.
Common surnames of the same origin as Silveira include Silva, Silve, Silvero, Silveiro, and Sylva. The surname Silva is the most common variant of Silveira and is derived from the Latin Silva, meaning 'forest' or 'wood'. Silve is a portmanteau of Silva and the suffix -eiro, which mean 'wood-man'. Silvero is another variant of Silva that is common in Portugal, Galicia, and Isle de Leon. Sylva is the Latin feminine variant of Silva, meaning 'wood'.
The surname Silveira is also found in other cultures. The Greek variant of the surname is Silvestri, derived from the Latin word silva, meaning ‘forest’ or ‘wood’. In Portugal, the surname is written as Silvestre, and in France, the spelling is Silverstre. The German variant is Silbert, and in Italy, the surname is written as Silvestri or Silvestris. The Russian spelling of Silveira is Sil’vera, derived from the Latin word silva.
Famous people with the name Silveira
- Mário Celso Petraglia Silveira: Brazilian businessman.
- Alfredo Duro Silveira: Brazilian lawyer and diplomat.
- Philip Silveira: a Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post.
- António Maria de Silva Pereira da Silveira: the 128th Prime Minister of Portugal.
- Abdón Silveira: former Uruguayan musician.
- João Silveira dos Santos: Portuguese painter and sculptor.
- Zilda Arns Neumann: Brazilian pediatrician and creator of the NGO Pequeno Testamento da Vida.
- Rodrigo Silveira: Brazilian composer, singer, and musician.
- Nuno de Freitas Silveira: a Portuguese historian and writer.
- Bruno Silva: a Portuguese professional football midfielder.
- Adilson da Silva Pereira: Brazilian professional football player.
- Pedro Silveira: a Portuguese television actor.
- Marco Antonio da Silva Lopes: a Portuguese writer and historian.
- Paulo Jorge Ferreira Silva: a Portuguese television and film actor.
- Ana Lígia Silveira: the former Director-General of UNESCO.
- Paulo Ricardo Lopes da Silveira: an architect and professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais.
- Manuela da Silva Pereira: a Portuguese politician and professor.
- Cássia Silveira: a Brazilian professional volleyball player.
- Sergio Silveira: a Brazilian film and television actor.
- Carlos Fernando Martins da Silveira: a Brazilian musician and former leader of the group Os Mutantes.