Surname Magalhayes - Meaning and Origin
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Magalhayes: What does the surname Magalhayes mean?
The last name Magalhães is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the place name Magalhães, a parish in the municipality of Ponte da Barca in Portugal. The place itself probably took its name from a local noble family. The most famous bearer of the surname is Ferdinand Magellan (in Portuguese, Fernão de Magalhães), the Portuguese explorer who is known for leading the first expedition that sailed around the Earth. The name is often associated with explorers and adventurers. The term "Magalhães" itself does not have a specific meaning in Portuguese, but as a surname, it serves as a token of lineage and family heritage. It is also relatively common in Brazil due to historical Portuguese colonization.
Order DNA origin analysisMagalhayes: Where does the name Magalhayes come from?
The last name Magalhães traces its origins to Portugal. It is derived from the town of Magalhães in the northern region of the country, specifically in the province of Minho. The name translates to "land of apple orchards" in English. The most notable bearer of this name has been Ferdinand Magellan, the renowned Portuguese explorer, known as Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese. Despite its Portuguese origins, the name is more common and spread out than just Portugal. Today, it remains mostly common in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal and Brazil. Furthermore, due to historical emigration patterns, it can also be found among populations in former Portuguese colonies around the world. It is not uncommon to encounter people with the family name Magalhães in African countries like Angola and Mozambique, and even in regions of India, such as Goa, Daman and Diu. In sum, the surname Magalhães, while rooted in Portugal, has spread across different parts of the world over many centuries.
Variations of the surname Magalhayes
The surname Magalhães has several spelling variations and synonymous surnames depending on the country and language. This Portuguese name can be expressed as Magalhães, Magallanes in Spanish, and Magellan in English, each of them with special characters adapted to their respective languages. In fact, the English rendition, Magellan, is internationally recognized due to the famous Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who is known as Fernão de Magalhães in Portugal and Fernando de Magallanes in Spanish-speaking countries.
In terms of other surnames of the same origin, it's important to note that Magalhães is a toponymic surname derived from the geographical location of Magalhães in northern Portugal. This means other surnames derived from places in the same region could be considered of the same origin.
The surname is sometimes spelled "de Magalhães" or "DeMagalhães", which is an indication of noble lineage in Portuguese culture. It is also sometimes shortened to Magal or Mag, or incorrectly spelled as Magalhaes without the typical Portuguese tilde over the 'a'. There may be variations of the name in former Portuguese colonies, such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, etc.
Famous people with the name Magalhayes
- Pedro Magalhães: Portuguese musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer.
- Alfonso Magalhães: Brazilian screenwriter and director.
- Maria José Magalhães: Portuguese model and actress.
- Carol Magalhães: Brazilian fitness influencer.
- João Magalhães: Portuguese professional footballer.
- Vinícius Magalhães Orefice: Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter.
- Alcides Magalhães: Brazilian lawyer, politician and former Minister of Justice.
- Lorenzo Magalhães: Brazilian actor, comedian and playwright.
- Luis Miguel Magalhães: Portuguese actor and television host.
- Mendonça Magalhães: Brazilian director and screenwriter.