Summary

The surname Souza is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the word 'sousa', which means 'sobriety' or 'seriousness'. It is a common surname in Portugal and Brazil, and has also spread to other Portuguese-speaking countries. The history of the Souza family can be traced back several centuries, and many prominent individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions to various fields.
There are
22373
Souzas in the USA
Souza is the
1601st
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Souza

EduardoPaes

Eduardo Paes is a Brazilian politician who served as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro from 2009 to 2016 and again from 2021.

MargarethMenezes

Margareth Menezes is a Brazilian singer and songwriter known for her work in the Axé music genre.

RaimundoFagner

Raimundo Fagner is a Brazilian singer, composer, and musician known for his contributions to the MPB genre.

RodrigoSantoro

Rodrigo Santoro is a Brazilian actor known for his roles in films like '300' and 'Westworld.'

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation.

EdsonArantes

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

AyrtonSenna

Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian racing driver and three-time Formula One world champion, widely considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

OscarNiemeyer

Oscar Niemeyer was a Brazilian architect considered one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture.

SérgioMendes

Sérgio Mendes is a Brazilian musician and bandleader known for his contributions to the bossa nova and samba genres.

GiseleBündchen

Gisele Bündchen is a Brazilian supermodel, actress, and philanthropist recognized as one of the highest-paid models in the world.

Souza Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Souza' is of Portuguese origin and is most commonly found in Portugal and Brazil. It is derived from the word 'sousa,' which means 'below' or 'under' in Portuguese. The surname likely originated as a locational surname, indicating that the bearer lived or owned property below or near a specific geographical feature.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Souza' is most prevalent in Portugal and Brazil due to its Portuguese origins. In Portugal, it is particularly common in areas such as Porto, Lisbon, and Braga. In Brazil, it is widespread throughout the country, with significant concentrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Bahia.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Souza' include 'Sousa' and 'De Souza.' These variations may reflect regional or dialectal differences in the pronunciation and spelling of the surname.
Migration and ImmigrationThe migration and immigration of people with the surname 'Souza' primarily involves individuals from Portugal who settled in Brazil during periods of colonization and exploration. The surname 'Souza' is also carried by individuals of Portuguese descent who have migrated to other countries, particularly in Europe and the Americas.