All surnames

Portuguese surname

Silva

Forest/woods

Locational surname

From Latin "silva" (forest), the most common surname in Portugal and Brazil, originally locational.

More Portuguese surnames

SantosFerreiraPereiraOliveiraCostaCarvalho

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Silva mean?

Forest/woods. From Latin "silva" (forest), the most common surname in Portugal and Brazil, originally locational.

Is Silva a common surname?

Silva 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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