Surname Neves - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Historical Journey of my Surname Neves through an iGENEA DNA Test

I have always been intrigued by my family history and the roots of my surname, "Neves." So, I took the iGENEA DNA test hoping to learn more. Little did I know, this test would weave a fascinating story of travel, adaptation, and survival that is embedded in my genes.

H. Neves

Neves: What does the surname Neves mean?

Neves is a Portuguese surname, which primarily means 'snows'. It's derived from the Latin word "nix", and the Portuguese word "neve" which translates to 'snow'. The surname was often used as a nickname for someone with an exceptionally pale complexion or white hair, symbolizing the color of snow. Additionally, Neves may also refer to a location, typically denoting someone who lived in a snowy area. Given the weather in Portugal is not particularly snowy, this interpretation might be less common. Over centuries, the surname Neves has spread to other regions due to migration, particularly to Brazil during the period of Portuguese colonization. Today, it is quite common in both Portugal and Brazil, as well as in other countries with significant Portuguese-speaking communities.

Neves: Where does the name Neves come from?

The last name Neves is thought to be of Latin and Portuguese ancestry and is common mainly in Portugal and Brazil today. In Portugal, the name is concentrated mainly in the coastal region of Estremadura and the Azores Islands. In Brazil, the surname appears in all regions, with the largest concentrations in the states of Santa Catarina, Parana, and Rio de Janeiro.

The last name Neves can also be found in the United States and Canada, mainly due to immigration from Latin and Portuguese countries during the 19th and 20th centuries. United States Census records suggest concentrations of the surname in California, Florida, and Massachusetts. In Canada, there is evidence of the name Neves primarily in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta.

The distinguished necropolises of Sao Miguel and Terceira, in the Azores Islands, contains family memorial markers with high frequency of the last name Neves, suggesting that the historic presence of the surname in this region may go back to over 500 years ago. Beyond these two islands, the surname Neves appears most famously in the historic areas of Mato Grosso in Brazil, where many families have sheltered in the area's famous cultural landmarks such as Brazil's first monumental chapel, Nossa Senhora de Milagres, for centuries.

Though the name Neves is less common in many parts of the world, it continues to be popular in Latin and Portuguese countries, including in the United States and Canada due to immigration. It can be seen in a range of different locations in the United States and Canada, and its origins go back centuries in some parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Neves

The surnames Neves, Nieves, Neve, Navas, Naves, and Neves de Sousa are all variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These Portuguese surnames are all derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word “neve” meaning “snow”.

The Neves surname originated in the province of Tras-os-Montes of Northern Portugal. This was the region that the Portuguese national hero Dom Afonso Henriques, son of Count Henrique of Burgundy, liberated from the Moors in the 12th century. It was from here that North American Portuguese from this region were known as Trasmonteses or “those of the mountains.”

In Portugal, the Neves surname is most commonly found in the districts of Braga, Guarda, and Santarém. In Brazil, it is most commonly found in the states of Maranhão, Piauí and, notably, Rio de Janeiro where many Neves family members settled in the 1800s.

In North America, the Neves surname is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in California, Florida, and New Hampshire. It is also found in Canada, especially in the province of Ontario.

As a surname, Neves might be found spelled Naves, Navas, Neve, Nieve(s), as well as Neves de Sousa, which implies that the person is descended from the well-known and influential Neves de Sousa family.

The Neves surname has a long and rich history dating back to medieval times. Over the centuries, it has been used by the same family in different regions and countries, and has been preserved by the descendants of the original Neves family.

Famous people with the name Neves

• Pedro Neves: Portuguese professional footballer
• Paulino Neves: Portuguese Olympic basketball player
• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: known popularly as Lula, former President of Brazil
• Fernando Neves: Portuguese politician
• Alvaro Santos Neves: Brazilian politician
• David Neves: France-born American contemporary composer
• Robert Neves: American actor, comedian and musician
• Dick Neves: Brazilian singer and songwriter
• Fernanda Neves: Brazilian actress
• Fábio Neves: Portuguese basketball player
• Robson Neves: Brazilian futsal player
• Davi Neves: Brazilian racing driver
• Floriano Neves: Brazilian footballer
• Luanda Neves: Brazilian actress and singer
• Ricardo Neves: Portuguese footballer
• Gómez Neves: Spanish footballer
• Doraci Neves: Brazilian female volleyball player
• Jorge Neves: Portuguese football coach
• Ronaldo Neves: Brazilian futsal player
• Alana Neves: Brazilian judo athlete

Other surnames

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