Last Names

Surnames / D

Dasilva

What is the origin of the last name Dasilva?

Portuguese originLocational (a place or landscape)Rank #1,767 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name DaSilva traces its origins back to Portugal and Brazil. It is a variant of the common surname Silva, which means "forest" or "woods" in Portuguese. The prefix "Da" indicates "of" or "from," indicating a connection to a specific location or family branch. The name likely emerged as a way to differentiate individuals within the Silva family, emphasizing their particular heritage or regional affiliation. Over time, the name spread to Portuguese-speaking colonies such as Brazil, where it continues to be a prevalent surname.

The longer story

The last name Dasilva is of Portuguese origin and is commonly found in Brazil. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the personal name of an ancestor, likely Silva. The prefix "da," meaning "of" or "from," indicates that the family was associated with or originated from a place called Silva.

The surname Dasilva is a variant spelling of the more common surname Silva. Silva itself is a widely found surname in Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Portugal and Brazil. The name Silva is derived from the Latin word "silva," meaning "forest" or "woodland." It is believed to have originated as a topographic or locational name for someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.

The Silva family name has a rich and ancient history, dating back to Roman times. The surname Dasilva, as a variant of Silva, shares this history and significance.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

#1,767

Dasilva was the 1,767th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 20,338 people, about 6.6 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)77.8%
  • Hispanic or Latino8.5%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)9.3%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander2.3%
  • Two or more races1.9%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.3%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Dasilva.

Surnames like Dasilva

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.