Re: Are "De Silva" and "Oliveiro" Portuguese Surnames?
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In reply to:
Are "De Silva" and "Oliveiro" Portuguese Surnames?
10/19/01
Please don't be misled into thinking that these names are uncommon in Portugal since they are some of the most common names there.
Silva
da Silva
de Silva
Silvas
Oliveiro
Oliveira
da Oliveira
de Oliveira
all of these variations and more are common in Portugal (all of it, mainland and islands) and anywhere else that the portuguese may have travelled.Such as Brasil, Macau, Mozambique, America, Canada, South America, Central America, Australia... you get the idea... and in any of these places the names could have been unintentionally missplled or intentionally changed.
Also, Silva means bramble (prickle bush, such as blackberry) and Oliveira means olive tree.
Good luck in your search.
Linda