Surname Almeida - Meaning and Origin
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Uncovering The Roots of the Almeida Surname Through iGENEA DNA Test
My recent iGENEA DNA test revealed intriguing insights into my ancestry, tracing my Almeida surname's roots back to the Iberian Peninsula. Findings show a distinct belonging to the ‘R1b’ haplogroup, common in Western Europe, a prevalence of Sephardic Jewish markers, and links to the Celtic people. This newfound knowledge has provided me with a more profound understanding and appreciation for my family's rich, historical journey.
G. Almeida
read moreAlmeida: What does the surname Almeida mean?
The surname Almeida is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the geographical location, Almeida, in Portugal. The name Almeida literally translates to "the table" in Portuguese, signifying a flat terrain or plateau. The town of Almeida is notable for its fortress, which historically served as a strategic defense point. It's a common last name among those of Portuguese descent and can be found throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, including Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. The surname is also prevalent in regions with significant Portuguese immigration, such as the United States, Canada, and France. In terms of etymology, the name Almeida is believed to be formed from Arabic elements: "al", meaning "the", and "meida", meaning "table". This reflects the Arabic influence on Portuguese language and culture due to the Moorish occupation of Portugal during the Middle Ages. Notable individuals with the surname Almeida include the 16th-century Portuguese poet Francisco de Almeida and the modern Brazilian actor Caio Blat de Almeida. It's also popular as a first name or a middle name.
Order DNA origin analysisAlmeida: Where does the name Almeida come from?
The last name Almeida originates from Portugal and is of topographic origin. It derives from a town named Almeida in northeastern Portugal, which in Arabic, means "the table" or "the plateau." Equating to a 'flat terrain,' the name was used to describe the town's geographical layout. The surname developed from people identifying themselves based on their connections with the town Almeida, typically during the medieval era, the period when surnames started to be commonly adopted in the Iberian Peninsula.
Today, the surname Almeida is common among Portuguese natives and their descendants worldwide. It is particularly prevalent in Portugal and Brazil, due to the historical Portuguese colonization of Brazil. Other areas with a notable presence of the surname include former Portuguese colonies in Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique, as well as regions with significant Portuguese immigrant communities like the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Almeida
The surname Almeida, of Portuguese origin, can have quite a few variants, alternative spellings, and similar surnames of the same origin. These variations may be related to regional differences, pronunciation, transcription errors, or simply personal preference. These include Almeid, Almeyda, D'Almeida, De Almeida, and Almeda.
It's fairly common for it to sometimes have a hyphen in it, particularly in Brazil, turning into something like Almeida-Soares or Almeida-Silva. There can also be surnames that developed from the “de Almeida” form, such as Dalmeyda, Dalmida, and Dalmeida.
The name can also evolve into different but related surnames like Almedia or Almada. In different Portuguese-speaking countries, slight differences in spelling might occur as well.
In Spanish-speaking countries, the most common variation would be Almada.
On a similar note, for countries that don't use Latin alphabets, the surname may be transliterated differently, leading to a wide range of possible spellings.
It's also worth noting that all these variations can possibly represent separate branches of the same origin or totally independent origins.
Famous people with the name Almeida
- Paula Almeida: A famous fitness model from Brazil.
- Daniela Almeida: A renowned Brazilian model.
- Joaquim de Almeida: A Portuguese-American actor who has starred in popular films such as Behind Enemy Lines and Fast Five.
- 'Francisco de Almeida: The first viceroy of Portuguese India.
- Andreia Almeida: A professional bodybuilder from Brazil.
- Hector Almeida: Cuban-American artist known for his modern art style.
- António de Almeida: A French conductor and musicologist.
- Lauren Almeida: An American soccer coach.
- Robert Almeida: A well-known maritime analyst and author.
- Gabriela Almeida: A Brazilian singer and songwriter.
- Alvin Almeida: A Panamanian basketball player.
- Almeda Berkey: American vocalist and composer.
- Djalma Almeida: Brazilian football coach and a former player.
- Maria Almeida: Portuguese ballet dancer.
- Beth Almeida: A Brazilian writer and illustrator specialized in children's literature.
- Débora Almeida: Brazilian politician.
- Luis Almeida: Angolan football manager.
- Cleiton Almeida: Brazilian footballer.
- Lia Almeida: Brazilian actress.
- Jonathan Almeida: Brazilian footballer.