Surname Coehlo - Meaning and Origin
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Coehlo: What does the surname Coehlo mean?
Coelho, often misspelled as Coehlo, is a Portuguese surname. The word "coelho" translates to "rabbit" or "hare" in English. The surname is believed to have been a nickname that became a family name, given to an ancestor who may have displayed characteristics associated with a rabbit, such as speed or timidity. It could also be a name given to someone living in a place abundant with rabbits. Notably, it's the surname of Paulo Coelho, a famous Brazilian novelist known worldwide for his works like "The Alchemist." The name is widespread in regions with significant Portuguese heritage like Brazil, Portugal, and some parts of Africa and Asia. Additionally, the surname has several variants including Coello, Cornejo, and Cunha, depending on the regional dialects and spellings.
Order DNA origin analysisCoehlo: Where does the name Coehlo come from?
The last name Coelho originates from Portugal and is primarily used in Portuguese-speaking countries. The term "Coelho" translates to "rabbit" in English. The name was probably used as a nickname initially, referring to someone who shared characteristics with a rabbit, such as speed or timidity. Today, the surname is widespread in Portugal and Brazil due to historical colonial ties. It is also found in small numbers in former Portuguese colonies like Angola, Mozambique, and Goa in India. Notable individuals with this surname include the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. Despite geographic distribution changes due to migration, the name is still most common in Portuguese-speaking regions. Overall, the name Coelho reflects a rich cultural heritage rooted in the Iberian Peninsula.
Variations of the surname Coehlo
The surname Coehlo originates from Portugal and the most common alternative spelling is Coelho, which means "rabbit" in Portuguese. Other variants of the surname can include Cuelho, Cueho, Coello, and Coelha, among other less common variations.
The surname has also been adopted by Spanish families as Coello. There are also possible connections to the surname Cueva, as it's a similar Spanish term for a rabbit warren or cave.
Another possible variant could be Quelhas, as it underwent phonetic changes in the dialects of northern Portugal. Furthermore, variants can occur as families migrate and the surname is phonetically adapted to new languages, possibly resulting in further surname variations.
As for related surnames of the same origin, since Coehlo and its variants are habitational, meaning they originate from a place name, or occupational, meaning they derive from a profession, there may not be strictly related surnames besides those that are alterations and variations of the original. This is because these types of names are usually unique to the family that originally adopted the name. However, names with similar etymological roots, like animal names, may be seen as loosely related.
Famous people with the name Coehlo
- Paulo Coelho: A globally recognized Brazilian author, best known for his novel "The Alchemist". His works have been translated into more than 80 languages.
- Adolfo Coelho: He was a renowned Portuguese folklorist and philologist and a professor at the University of Lisbon.
- Antonio Coelho: A famous Portuguese playwright from the 17th century who wrote satirical plays.
- Tânia Mara Araújo Almeida Coelho: Known as Tânia Mara, she is a Brazilian singer, presenter and actress.
- Felicidade Coelho: She is a Portuguese sprinter who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Roberto Freire (Roberto Coehlo Cardoso), a Brazilian politician, lawyer, and writer.
- Raoni Barcelos Coelho Reis: A Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
- Samuel Coelho: A Portuguese footballer who plays as a right winger for SC Braga.
- Dixieann Coehlo Borges: A poet and artist from Goa, India. Her work includes watercolor paintings and poetry about her home region.
- Clarissa Coehlo: A Brazilian designer well-known for her innovative residential and commercial designs.