All surnames

Portuguese surname

Pereira

Pear tree

Locational surname

Pereira is a Portuguese topographic or habitational surname meaning 'pear tree'. It denoted a person who lived near a pear tree or in a place named for pear trees. The name is common in Portugal and Brazil.

It remains frequent in the Portuguese-speaking world. Related forms appear in Spanish as Perera. The surname reflects the use of distinctive trees as landmarks.

More Portuguese surnames

SilvaSantosFerreiraOliveiraCostaCarvalho

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Pereira mean?+

Pear tree. A locational surname for a family that lived near a pear tree.

Is Pereira a common surname?+

Pereira is a Portuguese-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?+

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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