Surname Lopes - Meaning and Origin

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H. Lopes

Lopes: What does the surname Lopes mean?

The surname Lopes is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. Lopes specifically comes from the given name "Lope," which itself is derived from the Latin word "Lupus," meaning 'wolf'. In the Middle Ages, it was a popular practice to use names that represented animals as a symbol of certain qualities such as strength and courage which they believed to be associated with those animals; hence, the name Lopes might have originally been given to someone strong and brave like a wolf. There are variations of the surname in different languages, such as Lopez in Spanish or Lupu in Romanian, but all essentially carry the same meaning. This surname is widely spread in countries like Portugal, Spain, and their former colonies including Brazil and other parts of Latin America.

Lopes: Where does the name Lopes come from?

Originally Portuguese, the surname Lopes is a variant form of "Lobo," which means "wolf." This patronymic surname, indicating descent from a person named Lopo or Lobo, which is a personal name meaning "wolf," was commonly adopted in reference to the personal characteristics of an ancestor. Essentially, it may have indicated an individual who was cunning, wise, or ferocious like a wolf.

Lopes is commonly found in Portugal, Spain, and Latin American countries highly influenced by Spanish and Portuguese culture. Due to historical colonization and migration, it is also common among individuals of Sephardic Jewish descent, particularly those from Brazil. Today, the surname Lopes can be frequently found in Portuguese speaking regions, majorly in Portugal and Brazil. It is among the most common surnames in both the countries. Additionally, it is popular in regions with considerable Hispanic and Latino population like the United States, especially in areas like California, Florida, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Variations of the surname Lopes

The surname Lopes originates from the Iberian Peninsula where it has different variants and spellings due to the influence of the Spanish and Portuguese languages. Some variants include López, which is prevalent in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Another variant is Lopas and Lopaz, though these are less common.

Captions like Di Lopes, De Lopes, and Lopes Vaz are also prevalent, known to have originated from Portugal. The prepositions "di" and "de" mean "of", showing noble lineage or land ownership in some historical contexts. "Vaz" is a patronymic form which means "son of Lope".

The attribute "Lopes" can sometimes be preceded by a Christian name to form a new surname, such as "Rodriguez Lopes" and "Gomez Lopes".

Some families might have Anglicized the name to "Lopez" upon moving to English-speaking countries.

Minor spelling differences like "Lopis" or "Lopys" might appear in some contexts but these variations are not as widespread.

Other possible variants of Lopes could include Lopex, Lopês, López, and Lopès, though usage and recognition might vary.

Famous people with the name Lopes

• Lisa Lopes: aka “Left Eye,” this renowned rapper was a member of the girl group TLC and left her mark on the music industry.
• Fernando Lopes: a Portuguese writer and poet, he was a major figure in modernist poetry.
• Pinto Lopes: a former Portuguese Prime Minister from the 1960s and member of the Democratic National Union Party.
• Roberto Manuel Lopes: a Cape Verdean politician, he was the 4th President of the Republic and a distinguished lawyer.
• Rafael de Lopes: a Brazilian volleyball player, he was part of the men’s national Volleyball team and is a retired Olympian.
• Mariana Lopes: a Spanish actress and singer, she is best known for her role in the 2016 comedy “Morir de pie”.
• Adriana Lopes: a Brazilian golfer, she was the first female from Latin America to win an LPGA Tour title.
• Pat Lopes Harris: an American professional basketball player, she played in the WNBA for the Los Angeles Sparks.
• Don Lopes: a former MLB pitcher, he played for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox during the 1960s.
• Tim Lopes: a Brazilian actor and television presenter, he is best known for his work on the telenovela “Belíssima”.

Other surnames

Lopez