I have taken a brief pause to search out the history of the da Silva surname: where did it come from and what does it mean? It has been an interesting search in which I have learned a lot. I do get a sense that finding the true answer to these questions is difficult if not impossible. It is obscured by the lack of conclusive historical documents on the subject.
The meaning is clear. According to this newsgroup posting the name was derived from the Latin word “hisses” which means forest. It is possible that people took the name da Silva because they lived or worked in or near a forest. It is unclear if the meaning is related to the origin however. It is interesting to note that Wikipedia claims that Silva is the most common surname in Portugal and Brazil.
Another newgroup posting explains the Silva name has a noble context. Responding to a question where the surname originated the posting states, “What GENEALOGISTS generally say are things as the following (addapted [sic] from ‘Armorial Lusitano’)
<<Dom Guterre Alderete was the ‘senhor’ (lord? squire?) of ‘torre de Silva’ (Silva tower), in Alderete village, near Valenca (Valenc,a [sic]) town, Minho province, north of Portugal. He was son of Dom Pelaio Guterres and gr-son of Dom Guterre Pais. He was in the conquest of Coimbra by king Ferdinand I from Castilla (1017-1065), who later was also king of Lion. His son was Dom Paio Guterres DA SILVA, married twice and all his sons used the DA SILVA name.>>”
Searching for information on Dom Guterre Alderete was interesting. With the help of website translators I was able to learn quite a bit. For example, I searched for Alderete on Google Maps and found the map posted to the left of this text. It is centered on Alderete, a city in northern border or Portugal. This coincides with the newsgroup posting (citing Amorial Lusitano) stating that Minho province – where the Silva tower and Alderete are located – is in Northern Portugal. I noticed that there is a city in Portugal named Silva on the map that is about two inches to the south west of Alderete. Did the city get the name from the family, or did the family get the name from the tower which got the name from something else (like the forest)?
This is why I am not sure that Dom Guterre Alderete is the father of the surname. It could be possible that people (common people that is) had the surname da Silva before it was made noble. It is hard to see if this is true, because the historical documents usually chronicle the lives of the famous. The common folk are ever present but unobservable. It is possible that my family are descendants from this noble line. It is also possible that that we are not. The research that I have done to this point has neither confirmed nor negated any links. I, however, looked more into Silva tower and the more noble history (since it was easier to find). I found a blog posting that had pictures of the tower. I would like to recommend a few sites (which need translation if you don’t read portuguese). They are: O MORGADO E A CASA DA SILVA, and Câmara Municipal de Valença.
There are other explanations concerning the origin of the name. One that is found in newsgroups and websites such as this one, is that the da Silva surname is Sephardic. This group of Jews found on the Iberian Peninsula had this name. The author of the website explains: “Because Jewish Sephardic names are often so ancient, discovering the origins and meanings of these names can be of interest. I have elected to skip Jewish names that were simply adopted from existing spanish names (Rodriguez, Henriquez, etc.) because I cannot provide a meaning to them of Jewish interest other than that they were adopted from Spanish names – usually their Catholic godfather when forcibly converted. Many of these families reverted to Judaism when able to do so.” Perhaps this is reading too much into the website, but because da Silva is found in the list the author thinks it is Jewish in origin and not an adopted name.
I will be devoting some more time in the future to continue this research into the origin of the da Silva family name.
March 31, 2008 at 8:48 pm
My grandfather came to Brazil from Açores Island. Do you have some conection about the Portugueses Island and the Jews? Or do you know any website that I can go to get it? Thanks for any information and your time,
Jane Rodrigues da Silva
February 14, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Curiosidade: minha familia e Costa Silva e casei com uma moca de familia Rodrigues meus filhos ficaram Rodrigues Silva.
April 9, 2018 at 10:29 pm
My name is DaSilva. It has always been this way. Once I met people from Portugal and they kept on writing da Silva. I went to Brazil and they also write the name there like that (they sometimes didn’t even write “da” and I saw my name in the flight back home been written just Silva). My father always told me it was an Italian name, not Portuguese. Can somebody clarify?
April 10, 2018 at 5:29 am
My grandmother’s last name was Da Silva & her family immigrated from the Azores to the Hawaiian Islands in the last 1800’s. I found information on Ancestry.com. I think they were originally from the Maderi
a Island.
April 12, 2018 at 2:34 am
if you have lots of time and can read Portuguese… try some of these records… https://tombo.pt/en they’re the digitized originals…
Madeira is an archipelago comprising 4 islands. It includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, administered together with the separate archipelago of the Savage Islands. the Azores is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands.
April 12, 2018 at 9:07 am
Or use Google Translate if you can’t read Portuguese!
April 12, 2018 at 7:01 pm
Cant use Google they Digitized… sorry!
August 8, 2018 at 11:37 pm
You mean Madeira Island, there are many Portuguese in Hawaii from the Azores Islands including Madeira that immigrated in the 1800’s. I am from Canada for example there are many Portuguese from the islands that arrived in Canada in 1960’s-74. 1975 there was a revolution, dictatorship government was overthrown and african colonies war ended and
economic conditions of the country became better, emigration from this period on slowed down.
August 9, 2018 at 1:49 pm
My family emigrated to Massachusetts and then spread out to Georgia. The last name da silva changed to Sylvia for some reason when they emigrated. I don’t know. My great great grandmother is Mary Joaquin Gonzales Sylvia.
August 11, 2018 at 3:19 am
I was told that the female children kept the parents last names. Is this true? My great great grandmothers name is Mary Joaquin Gonzales Sylvia.
April 1, 2008 at 11:22 am
My family came to Hawaii from the Madeira Islands (Porto Santo specifically). I do not have any connection to the Azores or to the Jews that I know of yet. I have only traced my lineage back to the 1850’s so far.
January 24, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Mike Silva-do you know what year your family came to the Hawaiian Islands from the Madeira Islands? My grandmother’s family came over in the later 1890’s. Her name was Palmyra da Silva.
January 24, 2016 at 9:36 pm
1907 on the SS Kumeric.
January 24, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Excellent!! I wonder if our families were related. My grandmother told me when she was alive, that her family were the first from the Maderia Island that came over to the Hawaiin Islands. I thought she said they came over on a Navy ship but not sure if I understood her correctly. Her mother’s maiden name was Maderios (?).
January 25, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Michelle – Minor observation/question – Unlikely that her first name was Palmyra, but rather Palmira – The question is, had she at that time, begun to use Palmyra as an anglicisation?
January 25, 2016 at 11:33 pm
Not too sure~
She was born in the Hawaiin Islands. On her birth certificate, it’s written as “Palmyra”..
April 29, 2008 at 12:13 am
Hi. It was nice to find this site. I’ve been trying to get information for my family surname but dont know how to. This is definetly something to start with, you have done a lot of information and i appreciate it.
May 7, 2008 at 8:42 am
I am working on a school project tracing the origin of my surname i was wondering if you could help. Email me if you can thank you.
June 11, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I have traced back my family to the 13th century.. my ancestral mother was Vincenzina de Silva – she was noble and from Portugal. I saw her family crest somewhere and it had the rampant lion in it. This usually suggest Jewish origin and somewhere I read it suggested that Da Silva might have been one of the seven tribes of Israel. I read they were one of the royal families of Israel.If they came to Portugal, many Jews were into trade, commerce and this could have been how they acquired and maintained their seat of power in Portugal.
February 11, 2013 at 3:14 pm
The lion is of a Noble House, Purple is of a Royal House, In Spain its Red. We of A Knight Templar not no run away tormented warred women child or man, the Jews would of been our house servants after the cursades, house servants take the name of their master. Jewish people are being wiped out and are looking for non arabic people to blend with, they asked me a few times, it makes me sick they like our name due to our wealth and intellect.
May 11, 2015 at 5:32 pm
I like to know more more about the Silva lineage and genealogy surname ect. I am extremely interested but I have nowhere to really really start I cant get my family members to give me much information being that their step uncles and half truths given to me I would really like to find out I have always had an affinity for the early century things I feel that I have a big connection to closer Renaissance before Renaissance era so it would be wonderful if somebody could help me trace that I am a Silva but I am NOT da Silva my mother’s maiden last name is also Medina my grandmother’s is Velasquez and with my other side of the family is Ramon and Silva so I am really trying hard and if anyone can help me I’d greatly appreciate it especially since I see that you have trace your lineage maybe I can find some help with that thanks
August 7, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Yes I am Joseph dasilva live in Lancaster California please mail me dasilva Joseph 45yahoo com thank you I am deaf bye joe
June 12, 2008 at 7:46 am
Just a note further, Vincenzina de Silva married into
the highest Spanish nobility (Basques) that included knights, and Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand – who were second cousins – as their relatives. She married into the “Spanish” line that were involved in claiming Italy for Spain. Therefore, if she were of Jewish descent, her family must have renounced it publicly and the marriage was favorable because of her family’s wealth and power. I keep looking for more about this family and haven’t found anything else..I only find names of family members and that they were from Portugal. This ancestor is especially meaningful to me because my great-great grandmother was named after her decades later.
February 11, 2013 at 3:22 pm
your not even Our Name what do you want??? Stop that say of Jew line its not how its written in history, the Spanish killed off every single Jewish Person in their Borders anyway if you were my blood i would have answered your questions but its not for outsiders, ask our wealth for a job if your obsessed we would make you a hand and pay you little to nothing for the snoop
October 24, 2013 at 1:43 pm
You are an idiot
January 12, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Wealth earned by shipping kidnapped souls don’t be ashamed of our history someone had to do the dirty work
July 2, 2008 at 3:15 pm
According to a few Sphardic web sites, which list all the possible Sphardic Jew family names in Iberia, almost every one in Portugal is of Jewish decent. So… whatever happened to all the Portuguese family names whose ancestors were: Gallaeci, Celtici, Cynetes, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Suevi, Buri, Visigoths, Moors, Alan, Greeks, Romans, and of course, Lusitanians?
With unintended, dark contrast, here’s another possibility for the origin of the Silva family name: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Flavius_Silva
March 10, 2016 at 1:24 am
Rhea Silvia was the mother of Romulus and Remus.
March 10, 2016 at 6:01 pm
Not all of the De Silva were Sephardim. When they intermarried with the Alvarez de Toledo they became the Alvarez de Silva. It is within that lineage, the Counts of Cebolla, that you get the Jewish lineages mixing in. The de Silva still arose from the Roman Silverius.
August 27, 2008 at 10:05 am
gostei muito de tudo que li…sou Brasileiro e muito achegado aos judeus. creio que eu seja de origem judaica..gostaria de mais informações..
September 8, 2008 at 2:27 am
My name is Dilan De Silva, I am a Sri Lankan.i want to know how de silva srename came to srilanka?also I like to know is desilva and silva are two surnames or one surname?
July 23, 2009 at 3:46 pm
hi my name’s also Dilan De Silva, did u find the answer to ur question? pls e-mail back on dilandesilva@hotmail.co.uk
May 24, 2010 at 11:04 pm
The name came to India from Portuguese colonialists. It’s probably most common around Goa and up to Mumbai, but there is Portuguese influence in the south and from there probably to Sri Lanka. I’m curious: is your family religion Christian then?
January 29, 2015 at 7:23 pm
My husband father name is mapalagams liyange don Joseph Roy de Silva his cousin was Arthur de silva sriwardana Richmond castle
June 9, 2012 at 9:18 am
During the era of ‘discovery’ when the Portuguese went about exploring and trading, they came across Sri Lanka and began attempts to overtake their tea and cinnamon trade. Eventually the Sri Lankan people, feeling taken advantage of and wanting to profit directly for their goods rather than going through the Portuguese ‘middle man’, they fought the Portuguese and ended ties with them. It is very possible that during this time many Portuguese sailors married or hand love affairs with Sri Lankan people.
July 28, 2012 at 6:00 am
I recently met my srilankan grandmother for the first time I was 33 yrs old at the time I w was adopted as a child her maiden name w was dzylva
November 28, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Sri lanka was previously known as Ceylon. The Portuguese were there since Vasco da Gama reached India i n the year of 1500. They were the first Europeans in that region as a matter of fact they left India in 1963 where they had Goa,Damao and Diu. Silva, da Silva, de Silva and e Silva are one and the same the last name is Silva. The Portuguese were also in Asia (watch the 80’s serial Shogan) where they ruled Macau until 1999, in South America, Brasil, Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Sao Tome & Principe, Guine- Bissau) and even Hawaii (ukelele is the Portuguese cavaquinho). In Africa they were one the first European explorers in many countries in the West and East coast including the zanzibar island.
January 21, 2013 at 8:58 am
Hi i am from South Africa my parents dad side is da SILVA from RAPOSEIRA IN MADEIRA he was born in1918 and his dad in 1876 . i have researched the da Silva name and boy they are all over from hawai to timor their is even a villa CELESTINO DA SILVA IN TIMOR my name the correct portuguese way is da Silva a lot of americans etc have changed it to de silva desilver shorten silva silver.
August 3, 2013 at 4:22 am
Hi I thought I would let you know that I am also named Celestino Da Silva I was born in Vale Formoso Portugal
March 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm
I am Therese da Silva of the U. S. My grandfather Manuel emigrated from Madeira to NY with an uncle Antonio rodrigues. I am not sure where in MAdeira he was from.
April 19, 2013 at 8:27 pm
I’m originally Portuguese, and I know that the Portuguese explorers and Portuguese traders during XV + XVI centuries were in Sri Lanka, (then known as Ceilao/Ceylon), where the Portuguese traders played a very important part in the “spice trade” from the Orient to various parts of the world.
Please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_discoveries – “…In 1505 king Manuel I of Portugal appointed Francisco de Almeida first Viceroy of Portuguese India for a three-year period, starting the Portuguese government in the east, headquartered at Kochi. That year the Portuguese conquered Kannur where they founded St. Angelo Fort. Lourenço de Almeida arrived in Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka), where he discovered the source of cinnamon. Finding it divided into seven rival kingdoms, he established a defense pact with the kingdom of Kotte and extended the control in coastal areas, where in 1517 was founded the fortress of Colombo.”.
Certainly the name “Silva” and “de Silva” or “da Silva” like many other names still used in Sri Lanka and also in India are well known names of Portuguese origin. There’re many other names of Portuguese origin used in the region: Pereira (also modified to “Perera”); Sa’ (also modified to “Sai”); Oliveira (also modified to “Olivera”); Mascarenhas; Pinto; Almeida; Ferreira (ou Ferrera); Neves; Santos, etc. By the way in the region, Portugal still mantained possession of 3 small territories in India until 1961 (their names: Goa, Damao and Diu).
In regard to your question of your surname “Silva”, it is just one surname (the links used between names and surnames are just small propositions).
The words “de”, “da”, “do”, “das”, “dos” between any Portuguese names and surnames are simply propositions that mean “of” and “of the” (in neutral, in feminine, in masculine, in singular or in plural versions). These simple propositions are just used as a link between different names/surnames and should always de written in lower-case (unfortunately outside Portugal and over the centuries, I’ve seen in various parts of the world that they have been transformed and many times they’re written with a capital “D”. It is interesting that in Portugal it still remains as the original in lower-case “d” as it was for centuries).
Hope this will answer your questions.
October 30, 2013 at 5:47 am
Right, because my last name is simply D’Silva ^O^
July 3, 2017 at 1:05 pm
“De” in “De Silva” is an article meaning “of”. The surname “De Silva” came to Sri Lanka during the Português colonial period, 1505-1658. Many Sri Lankans without any Português ancestry took Português surnames when they converted to Catholicism and/or to show loyalty to the Português colonizers.
September 8, 2008 at 9:17 am
As I have stated in previous comments, my family came from the Madeira Islands. I do not know anything about Sri Lankan surname history to give an opinion either way if the da Silva’s and the De Silva’s come from a similar ancestor or not.
October 7, 2008 at 8:31 am
well im glad i found this site. ive been trying to figure out where my last name came from and if my ancestors are from brazil or something. both of my parents are from Guatemala. if you know of any site where i can go back to on my family tree, or any suggestions please please let me know…
my last name is not “DA” SILVA, its just simply SILVA<3
November 16, 2008 at 5:00 pm
My father is from Peru. His last name is Silva as mine is. Peruvian tradition takes on the mother’s last name. There is talk among my peruvian family that we are of Jewish descent. However, There is no geneological evidence. Yet, the last time my father & I visited Peru, my aunts made a family favorite dish. I for got the name of it, but it was a Jewish dish passed on to my aunts from my father’s mother.
February 21, 2009 at 5:44 pm
My grandfather was Tomas Silva and he was born in Portugal in the late 1800’s. He shared many stories with the family as to the origin of our roots. I do know that he often mentioned that we were Portugese but in my research I have come to find that the roots of the portugese are Jewish. Then also I remember the the apostle Paul’s secretary was Silvanus root name SILVA, so I kind of believe its true our name may have a Jewish origin. I’ll keep searching.Oh my great great grandfather was Severo Silva, again from Portugal.
November 13, 2011 at 2:02 am
My Father is Tom Silva and my Grandfather also. We are from New Mexico and my Grandfather just passed away… Just started to trace my roots.
March 20, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I was born in 1959 in Belen New Mexico. My father was Enrique Silva also born in 1927 in (Los Trillos)Belen New Mexico. His father Gregorio Silva was born in Belen New Mexico in 1877. As far as I know his father was Juan Silva also from New Mexico. I have not searched my roots any further. Does anyone have any information on the Silva’s from New Mexico?
March 17, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I am also researching my family. I have an old photo of my great great grandmother. It states her name was Rufina De Silva, which became Rufina Gallegos after marrying my Great Great Grandfather. According to the 1880 centus from Ancetry.com, They lived in Valvere, Socorro, NM. The Census States she and her parents were born in the New Mexico Territory. I have yet to find them or even record of Rufina’s birth other than the census of 1880, which says she was born in 1841. She may have been born at home and there is no official record.
I know that Spain ruled New Mexico before it became a State so there are alot of Spanish people that intermarried with the Mexicans and Indians in the area. I am sure others from other places like Portugal would have also migrated to the Spanish Ruled Territory of New Mexico. Reading on the history of New Mexico was very enlightening.
It would be awesome to add Portugese to my list of ancestors .. as well as the Jewish origin. I like the reference back to Paul.
November 13, 2011 at 1:59 am
My name is Lisa Silva, my Grandfather Tom Silva is from Belen New Mexico but just passed away. My father is Tom Gerard Silva, my brother is Steve Silva… I was trying to find some family history and stumbled upon this site. I can be reached @ passion4nursing@yahoo.com.
October 5, 2013 at 6:20 pm
My name is Michael La Grange, I know very little about my parents…My mothers name was Gregoria Silva and she married Louis La Grange. I was born in Socorro. Both of them are deceased.
March 30, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT MY NAME. WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THAT WE ARE ALL BROTHERS
April 10, 2009 at 1:14 am
Hi…My name is Jeevan D’silva, I am from Bangalore a southern City in the south part of India. I was born to Christian parents in Managlore. I am very keen to know how Dsilva surname came to my family in India. This surname is found only among christian families in India. I have heard that Silva was a tribe living in some part of portugal long long time ago….i guess some of the portuguees missionaries while in india wld have converted my forefathers and given this name….not sure if this cld be true….I will be eager to see if anyone can throw some light on my curiosity and eagerness to know How surname D’silva came to some of the Indian Christains…I can be contacted at – jeevan.dsilva@gmail.com
July 1, 2009 at 11:00 am
hola soy de Uruguay-Sud-America y soy Da Silva también no tengo mucha info sobre esto, lo que se es que llegaron aqui provenientes de Brasil alli por el año 1850 masomenos.
mail: este_marc@hotmail.com
March 7, 2014 at 2:03 am
hi, my name is Dominic D’silva and i live in chennai, my surname comes from my great grand father Mr. Joe D’silva, he was from Portugal and lived and worked on tea estates of Srilanka (then Ceylon), he later moved to India (Kerala to be exact) around 1907 and married my great grand mother who was a kerarlite, this is how the orgin of the my family name D’silva started and needless to say was raised roman catholic christian ……. hope this puts some light on your query !!
May 6, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Even fathoming the origin of a surname is weird. I was told once a name with the word ‘of’ (de or da) meant that one’s ancestors once worked as a peasant or even as a slave for the family Silva, meaning you were ‘of’ the family Silva (i.e. owned by them/worked for them). Perhaps that was really far fetched, but then again maybe not. You research does not seem to corroborate this. Also, the Tower of Silva is known as Torre de Silva in Portuguese. There has to be a point in time when the names diverged. Perhaps another group of Silvas tried to capitalize on the name de Silva or even breakaway from the de Silvas. Who will ever know?
November 13, 2011 at 2:04 am
I have heard of this also from someone I recently meet from Mexico.
March 29, 2012 at 11:08 am
The “de” denotes your lineage. If you have “de Silva” in your name it means that you belong the Silva Family as in “of the Silva Family”.
May 10, 2009 at 10:25 am
My family lives in St. Vincent (da Silva). WE have a bit of Portuguese descendants here. I have very little information on exactly where the family came from, the Portuguese here came from Madeira. But I was told that the da Silva family came from Portugal. The name is also popular in Trinidad. I also heard that there may be a connection in Martinique, but I am unsure about this. Cannot find any information here as well.
October 19, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Hi Patrice,
My father’s last name is Da Silva. In my research I came accross a picture taken in St.Vincent of a group of friends and family. Two of whom were god parents of my father’s brother-in-law. I have a big mystery on my father’s side of his family I am trying to solve with very little to go on. This is way back in the 1800’s to early 1900’s. I am from Trinidad as well so maybe we can see if there is some connection. Other names ….De Souza, Ferriera
I would love to hear from you. My email is yamaniiman@aol.com.
Thank you for your time,
Carol.
March 11, 2015 at 8:27 pm
My family is from Madeira…. my grandfather was one of 9 children I believe… maybe more… and I am not sure of how to look back any further and where they all went after he left.
August 2, 2016 at 4:57 pm
St. Vincent?
Portugal or Cape Verde?
De Silva and de Souza are mostly relatives. Can I see the Picture?
My dad has Also pictures from Trinidad.
May 15, 2009 at 1:40 am
Silva is the ultimate mutt name most common Portuguese name worldwide.. My father was da Silva, my name is just Silva, the da or de really is meaningless it means from or of the Silva, which in Portuguese there is thorn bushes they call… silvas.. so it does mean from the forests or woods.. The de and da or removal all together changes through immigration.. i was Portuguese born da Silva but because of hand written birth papers and poor translation efforts when i immigrated at 6 years old the good ol US took away the da… my brother born in America 5 years prior to my birth kept the da.. my sister born in England just plain Silva like me.. so moving around caused the da to change to de or drop all together, as told by my mother in portugal da Silva, Silva or de Silva.. you’re all Silva’s as in Portugal da or de is not considered a name or atleast this i was told
May 17, 2009 at 10:46 am
interessting find 🙂
for the Silva peoples around the world. its hard to track back Silva. its such a common name like smith in america or meier in germany. during the colonization between 16-18 century the name silva was spreaded around the whole world. 🙂 from brazil over africa to india.
Another story about the jews in portugal,which i cant confirm, is i think it was in the 14th century the cath. church set a ultimatum to the jews. they convert the cath. religion or they most go out of cath. countrys. alot of the jewish trader landed in hamburg/germany for example. the rest which havent the money to move out, must give they name up. so alot of the jews received names of plants, trees etc.
Silva is a plant in portugal, it means thorns, im portuguese i know it 🙂
but if the name da Silva or silva was part of this, im not sure.
So dont thing that you have so special name, its spreaded in portugal like a avian flu 😉
But 1 thing is sure more portuguese name then da silva dont exists 🙂
June 22, 2009 at 5:44 pm
The surname Silva does indeed have Jewish roots. I am Jewish, and my last name is Silva. This last name is one of the most common surnames in the world and I love it’s simplicity and strength.
May 24, 2015 at 10:38 pm
Hello Robert my name is Javier David Silva. From Burbank CA. Parents from mexicali and jalisco. Was wondering about the Jewish roots… Thank you for clarifying that. Feel free to email me cousin: Jsilva2590@gmail.com
June 27, 2009 at 3:37 am
as more people came from cape verde islands & portugal too the name dasilva &de silva both became more & more americanized. especially at ellis island where the workers could not correctly pronounce our names properly. as a result the workers sometimes eliminated certain vowels from our last names. the last name sylvia is originally dasilva or desilva. this name has gone from dasilva,desilva to silva to silvia to sylvia…
August 17, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Good day, I am Francine Dassylva, descendant of Pedro DaSilva, that came to Canada in the 1600. He was born in 1647 in Lisbon, and his parents name were Joseph (or Jose) DaSilva, and Marie Francois. From what I learnt, both parents died in Quebec, meaning that Pedro came with his family. Also, Pedro became the first courrier for the king, of la Nouvelle France. He was an educated man that knew how to read. Does that mean that he came from a wealthy family? Who was Pedro, I don’t know. Do you have any idea? Thank you for whatever information you can give me.
April 3, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Hi Francine,
This post is coming to you a little late but I have also discovered that I am a descendant of Pedro DaSilva and Marie Francois. What an interesting history with such strong ties to Canadian history. I am currently trying to research more about Pedro’s family history.
August 31, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Yes I think this the same Ling’s Scrive “da Sylva” in the following document that denotes his name in 1646 (portugal) https://books.google.ca/books?id=GxxIuK1z4_wC&pg=PA207&dq=%22Sylva+a+fez+escrever%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu6Jzwju3OAhUW6WMKHc-kDFAQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=%22Sylva%20a%20fez%20escrever%22&f=false
July 15, 2013 at 9:20 am
Hi, I am related to Pedro DaSilva also, the Canadian postal system actually created a stamp in his honor. From what I learned he was an explorer, he married Jeanne Greslon dit Jolicouer in L’Ange-Gardien, Quebec on May 16, 1677. He had 14 children. He actually started his own shipping company later in his life. There is a memorial plaque in Montreal for him, he was the only Portuguese man in Canada at that time. Ancestry.com has quite a bit of info on him. Little is known of his life in Portugal, he was born in St. Julien, Lisbon, someone might have to get someone in Portugal to look for more info. In the post office information they said he might have gone to the Henry school of navigators. Hope it helps, Tanya
July 30, 2014 at 8:03 pm
This is so helpful. My family and I are recently researching ties to Pedro. How exciting. Hope between all of us utilizing get ancestry.com we can really learn as much as possible.
August 31, 2016 at 9:37 pm
WOW – I wonder if its the same Pedro da Sylva from this document… https://books.google.ca/books?id=GxxIuK1z4_wC&pg=PA207&dq=%22Sylva+a+fez+escrever%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu6Jzwju3OAhUW6WMKHc-kDFAQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=%22Sylva%20a%20fez%20escrever%22&f=false
October 1, 2009 at 6:21 pm
aloha, my name is Robbie silva i am the grandson of Joao Da Silva of san migual and, Julia Fernandez of madera, they migrated to hawaii in 1890 give or take a few years.my fathers name is james silva,he is 79 years old and has not had any contact with any of his family from the Azores since the 1930’s.my father since i was a child has told me stories of being desendence of nights and nobles,stories from my gradfather which he claims goes back centuries. my father had spoken to one of his relatives in the Azores as a child and was informed that they had historicle paintings that went back centuries, of my DaSilva family in the azores.in 1957 when my grandmother died all contact to the azores stoped.
October 3, 2009 at 5:43 am
I likewise have heard such stories. It is common for people to say they come from royal families. The truth is that just because you have a last name that is connected to royalty your ancestors might not be royal. I have found that further research is needed before any of these types of claims can be taken seriously.
August 22, 2012 at 10:44 am
It was quite commom for slaves or workers, here in Brazil, to adopt, or to be forced to adopt, their bosses’s surnames or even the names of the farms were they worked, so that added a lot of Silvas in Brazil’s population, apart from that people who did not have surnames(In Portugal and in Brazil) adopted Silva because they lived in the countryside, others got Costa because they lived on the coast, some others got their names from fruit trees: Silveira, Nogueira, Limeira, Pereira, etc. Well, we might all be descendants from the noble Silvas from Galicia, but we might as well be descendants from the people who lived near the nobility or served the nobility either way we came very far!!
November 13, 2011 at 2:10 am
This must run in the Silva family because my family has ceased contact also. Everything about my family history is a mystery to me and I am trying to trace my roots.
November 18, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Lisa, I’m a Silva from Las Cruces, NM, I have been doing genealogy research, particularly on the Silvas of New Mexico. I may be able to give you a kick start on finding more info on your Silva linage. Feel free to contact me if you get this message
October 5, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I came across your site while researching, once again, my family name history. My Surname is DaSilva. My father, his father and so on, are from the Island of San Miguel, Relva, to be exact, Azores. I came across a Hacitic Rabbi who told me to reasearch my name, that I would find I am a descendent of royalty. I found it amusing, but decided to give it a go. I’m not sure where I came across it on the web, but I found that my family, and quite possibly all of DaSilva in general, descend from the Prince Jose DaSilva, Jewish Prince, who was forced to denounce his religion during the Spanish Inquisition. Your site is helpful and leads me in other directions, but I believe we are on the same path. Obrigada!
April 22, 2012 at 7:27 pm
this is joseph dasilva i am deaf i would u know abt this history thnk u send me any time
October 5, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Afterthought:
I also found that the surname “DaSilva” translates to “of the thorn.” I have a friend who researches geneaology and/or translations of names…
October 5, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Aha! I have the paperwork in hand…and here is the site…Let me also say that My Grandfather, his mother, before him, carried the name Manuel DUARTE DaSilva (DUARTE being the key name here). He was in fact always KNOWN as DaSilva, his military records which I have, state that. His name was never changed when he entered this country (USA) in 1949. We also carry the name “DINIS” spelled as such, or as my cousins later adopted “DINIZ” on my mother’s side. She hails from the island of Terceira, Azores, Fonte do Bastardo…here is that site:
http://www.isjm.org/country/portugal.htm
September 29, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Adriana, Last year I discovered that my family in the 1500s was named “DINIS.” This is a very old name for us. To escape the Spanish inquisition the name changed to Onis then back to Dinis, then Fernandez, then Blandon and finally Andrade, where the name and the marital connection to the counts of Andrade provided enough protection. I would like to know what you know about your family history named “DINIS?”
October 16, 2009 at 3:53 pm
My Grandpa moved to San Jose, CA in the early 1900’s. Do you know of any history in Portugal that would have caused a mass movement at the turn of the century that would have prompted the exodus? Also, I was told that anyone that did not own land was called “Silva”, …is there any theory or truth to that?
December 2, 2009 at 8:47 pm
my name is abraham silva.i was born and live south texas…about ten minutes away from the mexican border. both my parents were born in cadereyta nuevo leon mexico in the 1950’s. i have tried to follow the family tree but have only gone as far back as my great grandfather whose name was fransisco silva.if anyone has any info regarding where my last name came from..make sure and post it here. thank you
June 19, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Hi, Abraham my parents are also from south texas and I’ve been trying for years to find my fathers side of the family his name was Ismael Silva and I think alot of his sisters still live in south texas but have not been able to find anyone yet. My grandfather was also Ismael Silva and they are both buried in Edinberg, Texas… My grandmothers name is or was Cruz Silva. If any of this sounds familier please write me back. Thanks in advance Debby Silva
March 22, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Interested in Your post. My 4thgreat-grandfather was Francisco Silva from cadereyta , NL, Mex. wondering if the same.
December 3, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Hi, my name is Dassylva and i’m from Montréal. My ancester is Pedro Dassylva that arrive in Canada in 1600… I know is father was Joseph Dassylva born around 1620 in Portugal and maried to Marie Francois. I’m searching to know more about my ancester in Portugal but i don’t know where to search (i don’t read portugese) and i want to know is there is a coat of arms for the Dassylva. Can you help me in my search? I want to create a website about my family history and i want to go as far as i can!
February 11, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I would also like to know more about our ancestor, in Portugal, but I stopped looking. I am more concentrating in finding about him when he arrived in la Nouvelle France. I have researched many documents, but none that says exactly what year he came here. Would you know?
July 15, 2013 at 9:33 am
There is a coat of arms, if you google the name it will come up, it has a purple lion. I found a lot of info in Tanguay dictionary, little is known of his life in Portugal. Pedro married Jeanne Greslon dit Jolicoeur in L’Ange-Gardien, Quebec in 1677, his marriage certificate is on ancestry.com. I think someone might have to hire a Portuguese genealogist to find more info, records in Portugal are hard to find and some are off limits to the general public. hope this helps
December 4, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Just a clarification on the “da” part… in formal Portuguese, the “da” or “de” is considered a descriptive appendage and not part of the surname. In other words, someone addressing me would do so as Senhor Silva not Senhor da Silva. This is often common practice and possibly the reason why the “da” or “de” was dropped by many immigrants outside of Portugal.
Also, in theory, when listing names alphabetically, for the reason above, the order should be
Silva, Virgilio Martins da
but unfortunately across most of the western world the name is order as “da Silva”.
Hope you find this useful…
December 30, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Hi Everyone,
I’m Eliana, Brazilian-Dutch woman born in Brazil. I have 5 surnames and they are all of Jewish origin. My hair is a typical Jewish kind of hair, my eyes, my ears and also the fact that my grandfather from my mother’s side was called Franciso Aurelio da Silva are enough evidence for me that I am Jewish. The name Eliana is also not a coincidence and without doubt one of my other names is Jacaranda a beautiful tree that you can find all over Israel. I think Jewish people are very strong and some phisical and intelectual characteristics are undeniably inherited from generation to generations. My grandfather was a goldsmith but he also told us a history that his name was changed when he arrived in Brazil so he wouldn’t be identified and discriminated as Jewish.
I believe we are all descendant of Royals as the “da” in da Silva indicates a nobel title and de tower da Silva in Portugal is a reference of the Castle and the arms of the family. It also refers to the place where you come from that were most owned by a certain nobel family. In Dutch for example van der Ley or van de Craats is the Dutch form of de. Da Silva in Dutch would be van de Sylva from French tradition to name royals.
Hope we will find out more about the origins of the names and be able to present evidences as well.
Eliana
November 15, 2013 at 1:11 am
As others have indicated “da” or “de” is a descriptive article meaning “the” or “of the” and isn’t actually considered part of the name. It does not indicate royalty, nobility or servitude to a particular family. For example, Joao da Silva would be Joao (or “John” if anglicized) of the Silva family, and (anglicized) would be addressed as Mr. Silva. Some families as they settled around the world kept the “da” or it was written as such for them, thus becoming part of the surname. Although not quite the same thing, it’s like Robert the Bruce, with the descriptive article “Bruce” or Pierre Provencher dit Palette, with the descriptive “dit” indicating the nickname “Palette” after the surname. Also, the name “Silva” and its variants are probably as common (plentiful) as the surname “Smith.” It doesn’t necessarily indicate a common ancestry so there is probably truth in all the accounts of noble, peasant, Jewish, non-Jewish origins of the name in Portugal.
February 28, 2019 at 9:54 pm
1st March 2019
Hello Eliana,
My name is Jocelyn Myrie de Silva, born 1950 in New Zealand.
Fortunately I have only just found this site, so it is 10 years now since you posted your message, but I found it very interesting to read.
I have tried to find my Ancestral family in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and have been researching for a few years, but I have not been able to trace them.
Would you know, or anyone else reading this message, know how, where or who I can contact, or which site to go to?
My great grandfather was Richard Thomas de Silva, born 1844 in Ceylon. His father ( my 2nd great grandfather) was Christopher de Silva, born 1819 in Colombia, Ceylon and a doctor of Medicine. Richard married Brigidea Gordon born in Ireland, both immigrants to New Zealand in the late 1880’s/1890’s.
Hopefully you may be able to advise me where to research.
Regards
Jocelyn M de Silva
December 30, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Hi brothers and sisters,
I just found out that we can speculate even more and perhpas many of us are descendant of this very interesting Mariner who travelled around the world and perhaps had a woman in every port…:
“The 1stCount of Paço d’Arcos had a notable colonial career throughout the Portuguese Empire, having reached its pinnacle as Governor-General of Portuguese India (1881).[5] He was also Governor-General of Macao, Portuguese Timor (1876) and Mozambique (1880), as well as Portugal’s first Ambassador to Brazil (1891-1893) after the former colony abolished the monarchy and sent Emperor Pedro II of the House of Bragança into exile. This prestigious diplomatic post was fraught with difficulties as he represented to the new Brazilian republican government the reigning Portuguese House of Bragança which their ousted Emperor belonged to.[6] In his diplomatic career he was also Minister Plenipotentiary to China, Japan and the Kingdom of Siam.”
February 3, 2010 at 3:11 pm
My Father was Born in Cabo Verde, Island of Boa Vista
in 1929.
Iam Proud of My Surname i wish i new more about it.
and if we still have any Family in the Island.
if anyone Knows how i could find out, i would much apreciated.
February 8, 2010 at 2:40 am
Look up Lucios Flavia Silva on wikipedia.org he is the first famous silva, he was damned out of history by a later emperor but just recently in 2005 they found his name on a tablet. Though Josephous did write about him along with Jesus as well in the “Antiques of the Jews”…. Silva is derived from Silvanus- the greek mythelogical god of nature/fertility, mostly associated with the woods and farmlands… look him up on wikipedia,, thus that is why Silva means woods… also silva is commonly found through spanish nobility,, for example Diego valasquez de silva
February 16, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I am of Mexican descent with the last name Silva. Thank you all for your comments and historic information. I have always wondered where the family name came from and it’s origins.
February 27, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Hello and Thank You for this wonderful posting! We are Aldretes from Tecate, Mexico. I live in Seattle, Washington, and have been doing some genealogy work on both my Aldrete and Romandia roots for years.
A quick note in regard to this posting: I will go on record that the town of Alderete in Minho province was named for the family, and not the other way around. The name Alderete originates in Asturias, and is first mentioned in 718 with the Conde de Alderedo, a local nobleman who fought alongside Pelayo in the first battles of La Reconquista. Branches of our family spread throughout Iberia in the succeeding centuries, and clearly one such branch arrived as Crusaders in northern Portugal, sometime in the late 10th or early 11th centuries.
The name Alderete, also sometimes known as Aldereguia and later as Aldrete, is almost definitely of Basque origin. The root “alde” meaning the “slope or crest of a hill/mountain”. Another possible Basque root, “alder”, refers to the “property of a household, or dowry”.
One famous Aldrete, other than the original Conde, was Bernardo del Aldrete, who wrote THE book on the origins of Castilian Spanish, printed in Rome in 1606. The book, typically in two volumes, is still in print and still used in universities and by scholars researching the Spanish language. It is called, in Spanish: “Del origen y principio de la lengua castellana”.
Regarding the possible Jewish origins of the name da Silva: although I know of no da Silvas in my family, I have Jewish heritage on my Father’s side of the family, and there is a long-standing family story of our Romandia side, from the Piacenza area of Italy, having some Jewish ancestry. It would be very interesting if my Aldrete side also had a connection there, so these postings have really fired me up to look at that aspect!
Thanks again, great blog!
-Sebastian
June 18, 2010 at 3:08 pm
My paternal side of the family is from Piacenza, Italy. My ggrandfather, Pietro Silva (who married Maria Cordani) was born in 1872 in Piacenza. The family immigrated to NY and settled in the Bronx. His parents, Maria and Luigi Silva remained in Piacenza. If you can trace the family back further, that’d be great! I am unaware of any Jewish connection.
Diane Silva Hill
Sacramento, CA
December 13, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Hello diane, my family is also from piacenza italy, they came after the world war 2,do you know if Luigi and maria Silva had any other children???
thank you
bye
July 28, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Hi Diane
I am looking for a roberto da silva he is also from Piacenza lugagnano,his uncle was called joe and his mother youlanda,please let me know if they are part of your family and also if they are still alive.best regards shirley
October 15, 2015 at 9:45 am
Luigi and Maria Silva had 2 children – Pietro, born 1872 and Aurelia, born 1880. Caress’s and Cordani’s were also family names.
April 10, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I’m from Puerto Rico and I’m a Silva on my father’s side. My dad mentioned Andalucia, Spain as a place where his family might have come from. Any thoughts on this? Thank you for sharing this info. Very interesting.
May 10, 2010 at 3:08 am
My name is christine silva my family is from milpitas ca i have been trying to find out about my grandpa & grandma tony & claire silva they had 2 sons James & Dennis and a daughter marsh but she passed away like at the age of 6 they were ranchers if anyone knows anything about my family it would be verey helpfull.thank you for your time.christine silva.
May 13, 2010 at 9:58 am
Im curious because im tryn to find the origin of my family which are from the cap verdean island which was main slave trade island for africans. I found that a man with the same name as mine work for the west indian trading company in 1654 and his was a Portugese jewish man.. Maybe that might help you alil bit.
May 13, 2010 at 10:10 am
I also like some help on tryn to find history about the african side of the family since im from the cap verde islands and have noticed that no one has brought that subject up on here…
May 21, 2010 at 1:55 pm
My gg grandfather name was Louis Silva change his last to Brier. Know I know why I can’t find my family from the Azores.Thank you Melissa
July 21, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Ok people there is an island by the name of Cape Verde which is on the west coast of Africa,where the Portuguese founded and then brought slaves over. My last name is Dasilva and my aunt who was a professor in Cape Verde said Dasilva is a slave name given from the Portuguese. Silva is a popular Brazilan and Portuguese last name so the slave owners would put DA or De in front so they would know who belonged to them. Examples like Da Silva, De Pina and De Barros those are all cape verdean last names.
April 12, 2012 at 4:20 pm
I think you are being a bit ignorant, there are in cape verde non-slave-da-silva names
February 23, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Meu nome e Maria da Silva nasci em Cabo-Verde mas ha muitos anos que sai de la e fui viver na Hollanda.Eu sei que a minha familia assim como muitos caboverdeanos sao descendentes de familias judiacas e que tambem temos muitas outras misturas.Quanto ao nome da Silva, de Pina etc nao tem nada a ver com ser descendente de escravos pois no original mesmo en Espanha , Portugal e na Hollanda os Judeus sefhardic usam o da, de, van etc.Os nomes da Silva de Pina ,Barbosa,Evora,Levy,Cardoso,Morais,Amado,e muitos outros mais sao comuns nas ilhas do Fogo e,Santo Antao e essas sao as ilhas que mais tiveram a presence de Judeus. Ainda hoje pode-se encontrar os vestigios , como por exemplo os cimiterios , os nomes de lugares e os costumes no seio de muitas familias mesmo sendo cristas continuam a ser como rituais judiacos.
March 24, 2013 at 6:53 pm
You are an idiot. The addition of the particles ‘d’, ‘da’, ‘de’ have no particular meaning, either denoting origin (from a place) or possession. They are added sometimes to some surnames to facilitate pronunciation, particularly when the previous name ends with a vowel.
November 12, 2010 at 12:16 am
i quite appreciate ur efforts in researching and sharing ur information on the origin and meaning of the surname dasilva.its a great piece of information that ll most be appreciated on facebook’s DASILVA DYNASTY a union of people bearing dasilva
November 29, 2010 at 11:31 pm
My father came to this country through Ellis Island in the early 1900’s prior to World War One. His name was da Silva but the people handling his documentation changed it to Silva. His marriage certificate lists his name as da Silva. I was told by him prior to his death that the name da Silva is of Portuguese origins and de Silva is of Spanish origin. He used the name Silva and never corrected the documentation.
If your name is Silva there is the strong possibility that it was either da Silva or de Silva at one time. Many Mexicans have the name Silva which is of Spanish origins not Portuguese.
December 23, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Joe,
Luigi and Maria Silva had two children: Pietro (1872) and Aurelia (1880). Pietro/Peter died in 1951 in the Bronx; Aurelia died in 1978 in Brooklyn. I sure would like to trace my roots further!
January 4, 2011 at 7:26 pm
I would like to add one piece of information regarding the ‘da’ and ‘de’. As was mentioned earlier, the ‘da’ or ‘de’ is technically not part of the name. It is common practices in some Latin American countries for wives to not only adopt their husband’s surnames, but to also add a ‘da’ or ‘de’ in front of it. In essence, the woman now belongs to the man. I believe the children do not add the ‘de’.
For my own experience, the name da Silva has been passed down several generations as one piece, and I write it as DaSilva. But, when I visited Brazil as an adult (I live in the US), everyone called me Senhor Silva, knowing to automatically drop the ‘da’.
Just one bit of information concerning the origin/function/purpose of the ‘da’ or ‘de’.
February 1, 2011 at 4:21 pm
My father’s family comes from Puerto Rico. My grandmother told me once that our family name was Da Silva but that it was changed at some point in time. I also found out that pretty much all of the families in Puerto Rico with the last name Silva are all related. This leads me to believe that a specific person or family with that surname settled in Puerto Rico. Any leads as to who that might would be great.
November 18, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Many Portuguese were in the Spanish ranks when they occupied PR. Thus the name Silva took hold.
April 12, 2011 at 7:08 am
I am from India, my forefathers were from the coastal town of Cochin (now Kochi) which was an important portuguese colony due to spice trade. My assumption is that the portuguese traders converted people from this area to Catholicism and maybe married some of their daughters which lead to the continuum of this surname in India.
November 18, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Actually in many cases they were godfathers to converts and gave them “Christian Names” such as da Silva (also the da or de should not be capitalized).
December 6, 2011 at 8:19 am
I’ve read that “da silva” (from the forest) and “da costa” (from the coast) was a surname given to the native ppl in the portuguese colonies, when they were converted into christianity and “western ways” (by force im sure).
A little bit of one name fits all kind of thing…
If anyone is interested, im a chilean Silva living in Sweden.
May 1, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Hello. I have been looking for my realtives and any family history i can obtain regarding my family. My father has long past and didn’t speak much of his family. This is all i know right now, his family were dukes and duchesses in Portugal. His parents came from Portugal and settled in the Oakland area. His relatives aunts uncles etc settled on the island of Hilo and owned many hotels there. This is all i know. If you can please help me. I feel like i am missing a huge chunk of myself and have nothing to pass to my kids. Thank you so much.
November 13, 2011 at 2:59 am
Same for me…
July 3, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Hi
Im looking for a roberto da silva,his mothers name was yolandie da silva and he had an uncle joe who lived in piacenza,lugagnano,if anyone has any information regards them please let me know.
July 5, 2011 at 4:19 am
I know that there was a Spanish or Portuguese general in Rome’s army agains the Jews at Masada in 72 AD. That is the earliest reference I have ever come across to the name, which can from what I have gathered mean either Forrest or Wood. Here is the info on Masada:
In 72, the Roman governor of Iudaea Lucius Flavius Silva headed the Roman legion X Fretensis and laid siege to Masada. The Roman legion surrounded Masada and built a circumvallation wall and then a siege embankment against the western face of the plateau, moving thousands of tons of stones and beaten earth to do so.
Josephus does not record any attempts by the Sicarii to counterattack the besiegers during this process, a significant difference from his accounts of other sieges against Jewish fortresses. He did record their raid before the siege on Ein-Gedi, a nearby Jewish settlement, where the Sicarii allegedly killed 700 of its inhabitants.
Some historians also believe that Romans may have used Jewish slaves to build the ramp.[citation needed] According to Dan Gill,[4] geological investigations in the early 1990s confirmed earlier observations that the 375-foot (114 m) high assault ramp consisted mostly of a natural spur of bedrock that required a ramp only 30 feet (9.1 m) high built atop it in order to reach the Masada defenses. This discovery would diminish both the scope of the construction and of the conflict between the Sicarii and Romans, relative to the popular perspective in which the ramp was an epic feat of construction.
August 7, 2011 at 7:50 am
My name is Ricardo Bernal Silva. I was born in Hong Kong. My parents were born is shanghai china .My mother last name is Danenberg .I find it interesting that I may have Jews ancestry . It seem that the name Silva is a like vessel with many ports. I was wondering based on a blood sample could a Jews connecting be verified. Anybody thoughts. At this point in my life i know my bloodline consist of Portuguese ,Chinese, Dutch now possible Jew.
September 19, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Wonderful to read so much of us interested in this great name; da Silva.
I am black from portuguese descendents. One of my ancesters was Manoel Zacharias da Silva Branco. They came to Cabo Verde, sended out by the Portuguese King because of being jew in aproximitaly 1400 something. He was dieing and asked GOD to keep him alive, after this miracle he would marry a black orphan. da Silva Branco is a name that lost in time. I found some of the history of da Silva due the novel “misterios de Lisboa” by Camilo de Castelo Branco, now also as a film. I Do not think of this event consisting my blood line, just for your information and for whom it might concern.
I am curious of much information also. Have a great life and keep our family name alive!!!
Americo Tomas Nascimento Silva, from Cabo Verde Sao Vicent, nowadays The Netherlands.
November 13, 2011 at 6:19 am
How cool to come across a website devoted to the da Silva/Silva line!
November 18, 2011 at 11:26 pm
A few things I have learned:
1- the surname Silva (or with de or da) is often given to orphans in Brasil because it is so common, thus many with that name in Brasil really do not have roots to it.
2- The origin of the name is latin (means woods or trees native to an area) so it most liikely did travel with the Romans to Iberia.
3- The Galicia province in NW Espana is most likely the source for both the Portuguese and Spanish lines. This makes sense on many levels as the Galician dialect of Spanish shares many traits with Portuguese. The close proximity of the two countries would explain the presence in both countries.
4- For most of antiquity Iberia was not known as two countries (three if you count Andorra) but simply as Hispania (per Roman times).
5- The Spanish and Portuguese courts often intermarried for political reasons
6- The name Silva is so common around the globe due to Portuguese and Spanish exploration and colonization.
7- There are definetly Italian Silva’s that do not tie to Iberia as it is the other way around.
I hope all of this helps
8-The overwhelming reason that Portuguese immigrated to Hawaii was as contracted laborers (entire famility, 7 year duration) for free passage to the sugar and pineapple plantations to escape the abject poverty of the Azores, Madeira and Mainland Portugal. My paternal GP’s came from Madeira and Northern Portugal for this reason. They eventually ended up in Oakland, CA. to work the mills, bridges and bakeries. Nothing romantic, just hard work as is the case for most immigration reasons
9- one sad note, is that when I’m gone so to this knowledge as my 3rd generation descendants are 1/4 Portuguese and have no desire for history lessons.
Hope all of this helps others in the Silva clan..
January 26, 2012 at 2:41 pm
thanks a lot!!! and it helped even though I’m D’sylva, not Silva
April 29, 2012 at 7:18 pm
my family also came from Portugal to the Hawaiian Islands and settled on the island of Hilo. It is here I am told that my family came to own many hotels and land.
My grandfather is Joseph Silva.He eventually settled in Oakland, Ca as well to become laborors. In Portugal I am told that my family originated as Dukes and Duchesses.
I have very little information about my family.
January 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Hi All this research really is amazing,
My Name is Dario Dasilva
My Fathers Birthname was Anthony Dasilva
He was Fostered in London’s Banardos Children’s Home (Orphanage)
His Mother was called Barbara DaSilva
& His Fathers Name I’m unsure of but I know that the surname Saab has a connection to us.
From what my Father Anthony Dasilva told me Barbara Dasilva was from Spain/Portugal I think their is also some Barbados roots from my GrandFathers side.
(My Dad Anthony DaSilva also known as Charlie Or Chaz Dasilva his nickname,
Anthony aka Charlie has a Long lost BROTHER called Gavin Dasilva & a sister called
Charlotte DaSilva and he also has more brothers or sisters . My Dad is desperately trying to trace his brothers & sisters if you think you are related to is or you may have some usefull information please email me >. dario _ dasilva @ me .com
January 7, 2012 at 3:19 pm
My father Anthony who goes by the
Name of Charlie or Chaz went on two live with his Foster parents in Ashford Kent. He lived in Beaver Road / Beaver Lane.
His Foster parents where called Averil & Terrance known as Terry. Anthony’s Foster parents surname was “Homewood” as he was never adopted only fostered by Terry & Averil he kept his true surname “DaSilva”
He then moved to number 13 Norwood Street Ashford Kent which directly over looked a police station.
Anthony Dasilva then got engaged to my mum Diane Denise Oakley, her maiden name before she married my father & became Diane Denise DaSilva.
Anthony & Diane then went on to have their 1st child of two sons Dario Shane Dasilva . “That’s Me. I was born in 1988.
Then 8 years later they had their second child Nathan Carl Dasilva in 1996.
Anthony DaSilva Born : 1st October 1966
Diane DaSilva. Born : 21 November 1971
Dario DaSilva. Born :28 September 1988
Nathan Dasilva. Born : 5th September 1996
June 24, 2012 at 2:34 pm
hi dario my name is stephen desilva my mums name is barbara desilva , charlotte/richard/natasha/genny/ your dad was born in hackney . i am your uncle , chaz is my brother . also gavin i have met once as well when i was around 15 or 16 back in 1985/86 so glad you have sent this post please get back to me. stephendesilva7@gmail.com
August 2, 2016 at 7:39 pm
Hello,
Did Richard ever work at a Philadelphia Armory? I am seeking more information about my ancestry and want to verify that.
June 25, 2012 at 11:03 am
Hi this is Charlotte De Silva-Allen xxxxxx I rememeber your Dad my brother! My name is Charlotte Owusu-Allen now! My brother has spoken to your Dad and if you put my name into goggle you will see my picture we have been waiteing for this day! I remember when my mum took me to meet him and i remember his foster mum, she had glasses and short brown or ginger hair! lol
your dad had a tattoo on his arm of a tiger i think, this is so emotional for me!
January 28, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Simply looking at the history of Sri Lanka – you can see the time when it was under the Portuguese. The first captain is Joao da Silveira… It would make sense that he took local women and their offspring would have been named after him.
This might be a simple starting point? HIstory of this man, and if he took in local women – surnames often become simplified or altered. This may have been intentional. It may have just occurred because the people found it easier to pronounce? It may have also been a name given to people as a certain status, after the captain arrived? It would be interesting to see the documents relevant to this man…
I don’t know about you, but as soon as I found that – and he was the first captain, I thought – highly plausible. From there it would be about researching his line back.
February 16, 2012 at 2:49 pm
I don’t know much but heard some few things. One is my last name was changed to straight Silva from DaSilva when they arrived to the Americas. I believe many were escaping from the Inquisition and maybe even earlier persecutions for converting to Judaism. I don’t believe they were converts though. I believe they were attempting to return the Lord.(Jehovah).(Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour). Jose DaSilva was burned at the stake for this thing. I believe also that name is Latin for “of the forest” . See Silvanus in Acts 15 and a couple of other places. There may be clues in the Bible. There was also a city in Israel named Kiriath-Jearim meaning “city of woods”. I think this is very interesting. Psalm 90
-Carlos B. (DaSilva) Silva
November 19, 2014 at 11:12 pm
The article “da” is technically a part of speech, just as “la” is in French. The original surname would be Silva, and the “da” (which is correctly written in lower case and not capitalized) is simply the article or preposition added to the surname. If you were researching genealogical records in Portugal, you’d find the surname under “S” for “Silva” and not “D.” Many people, especially when arriving in the Americas, sometimes kept the preposition in their name whether it be by choice or by accident (someone unknowingly transcribes the name with the preposition) and sometimes the preposition was capitalized and connected with the surname (DaSilva, for example). So although your ancestors may have spoken of themselves as “da Silva” and written it “da Silva,” they probably chose *not* to change it to “DaSilva” when they came to the Americas. Maybe they knew that many Americans didn’t understand how their naming practices worked. Obviously I can’t say for certain, but I think they simply chose to keep their surname as is and not include the “of” or “da.” Regardless, I think the various Silva, DaSilva, da Silva, Sylva, etc., family histories and surname histories are fascinating! 🙂
March 27, 2012 at 11:29 pm
My paternal grandfather came to the US from Brazil in 1910. HIs name was Antone Tavares da Silva. when entering his information they dropped the da, telling him that in this country the name is not regarded. When my father, Antone Jr was born in massachusetts, they added an extra “i” to become Silvia. This bastardization happened often to many people of varying countries coming in. My grandfather had originated from Sao Paulo. I had the opportunity to do some ancetral digging when I was working in Sao Paulo. A guy I was dating down there surprised me one day and introduced me to some distant family members of my family who never left there. I was surprised to learn that they were named daSilva and was introduced to a strange form of catholicism that contained Jewish prayers and traditions. I speak the Brazilian dialect of Portuguese so it was easy undestanding their words. without having the need for interpreters. They advised that the family came to Brazil as Sephardic Jews, although generations before they were forced to become Neo Christians (New Christians) in Portugal and were baptized as adults. The country religion of Portugal was Catholic, and all others outlawed. Violators were subject to punishment or death at the stake. Life was hard, even as a convert, as Neo Christians were required to wear garb identifying them in this status, Surnames were changed as required by law. They were discriminated against and could not easliy find work. They fled to Brazil that had a new constitution allowing freedom to all religions. Most of my family intermarried catholics and their traditions fell, except for a few of them. They practice a strange mix of catholicism and judaism. Many in Brazil are linked to Judaism but not too many people will believe or recognize it. DNA could confirm their heritage. With their help ( I had a relative in Sao Paulo who had access to historic records) I was able to track my family back to the mid 1600s in Lisboa. It was amazing with how popular the name da Silva has evolved and how popular the name is. When I lived in Brazil, the president, “Lula” had a last name of da Silva.
May 23, 2015 at 8:06 am
I just read your message and am curious if we might be connected. My dad’s am came from portugal then Fall River MA. I can not get further than my grandparents Samuel and Delia Silvia Any help would be appreciated
Vickie Silvia
thewillowbird@hotmail.com
April 2, 2012 at 7:52 pm
i am from stain vincent ,and i am look for some answer how did my family Da silva how did we end up in the caribbean if any one have any answer tell me know i am new to this ,
April 30, 2012 at 11:25 pm
Very nice research
May 22, 2012 at 1:47 am
wow this is good….my great grand father came from Azores islands or Lisbon and travelled to New Zealand
June 2, 2012 at 2:28 am
Very interesting… where do Mexicans get this last name from?
June 2, 2012 at 9:50 am
SEND ANY DASILVA / DA SILVA/ SILVA FACTS TO : dario_dasilva@me.com
June 4, 2012 at 2:42 pm
I MARRIED A PEREGRINE DANIEL DA SILVA IN SEPT 1966 I MET HIM IN ENGLAND AND BROUGHT HIM TO MY COUNTRY ,CANADA.. WE HAVE 2 BEAUTIFUL GROWN CHILDREN AND MY HUSBAND AND I DIVORCED IN 1980.. MY HUSBAND ALWAYS SAID THE NAME WAS PORTUGESE.. MY DAUGHTER IS VERY INTERESTED IN THE FAMILY LINE AS SHE HAS 2 SONS.. MY SON HAS NEVER MARRIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL INFO E-MAIL ME AND I,LL PASS IT ON TO MY DAUGHTER.. THANKYOU………VIDLER@SHAW.CA
June 27, 2012 at 6:54 pm
my name is Gabriel pedroso rodrigo da Silva i am just trying to find out who my family is i was born in Brazil 04/24/1985. so if anybody has any info on it it would be very helpful
August 1, 2012 at 9:07 am
My name is Sara Da Silva, as far as I know my whole family originate from Madeira: my parents, my grandparents, my great grandparents etc. The majority of us live in London now!
March 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm
My family is from maderia. With that last name
March 25, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Therese Da Silva, grandfather Manuel emigrated to early 1900s from Madeira with uncle Antonio Rodrigues to NY, US.
August 15, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Hello: I am very glad to have discovered this site. Like many people here, I’ve been trying to find more about my family history. My family and I are Azorean but I’ve been looking for pre-colonial history. Hopefully, this site will help me come a little closer to that goal. While reading a historical account of Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in James Reston Jr’s book ” Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade.” I came across a mention of a town named Silva. It does not sound like it is the same town mentioned in your article so perhaps there were two towns bearing this name. If so, I’m double proud!! Anyhow, if you’re interested here is the text of the book. To give you a little context, the galleys are from England and belong to King Richard. They were on they’re on their way to crusade when they encountered a fierce storm.
……..” Eventually nine of the ten ships limped into the port of Lisbon (the tenth having been blown south to the town of Silva, a village that only a year before had converted to Christianity and was under constant attach from the pagans of Islamic Spain; the local authority therefore seized the Crusader ship and broke it up for a barricade against the heathens). ……..
I hope you can find more about this place than I have. I have even considered emailing the author but have not had the courage. I’ll be checking in from time time to see if you come up with anything on this. Thanks.
August 29, 2012 at 9:00 am
Im portuguese as far as I know Silva is the most common family name in Portugal, and also in Brazil, there are also a few in Spain but not nearly as common. Silva usually we call to a spiky kind of bush (like berrys), but ok u can say its forest woods mainly made of bushes. “Da Silva” (Da means “from”), its also as common and is the same. “De Silva” must be a mispell, a very common thing in India, where portuguese names became a little corrupted (“De” means “of” btw), for example Indian football coach is Medeira he should be Madeira (that means wood) I commonly see that in India. What else can I add? Many fruit trees family names in Portugal come from “converted” jews, but i dont think Silva is one of them. Besides “jew” blood got totally mixed with portuguese so its very hard to talk about jew familys in Portugal, here we have basically no jewish comunitty for some centurys.
September 19, 2012 at 2:52 pm
to Mike Silva,
You should not doubt the origin of the surname Silva described the ‘Armorial Lusitano »
Many Portuguese family names, common around the world, originated in small towns, and even little places and small agricultural properties (such as is likely, Costa, Almeida, Pereira, Nogueira, etc). And very, very few surnames originated in names of big cities or villages.
September 23, 2012 at 5:39 am
Hello everybody!
I’m Portuguese, from Lisbon, and I can tell you that Silva is, first of all, a plants name. Those wild plants with horns, in english: brambles.
In the time of our king D. Manuel I, 16th century, the jews that wouldn’t become christians would be forced to leave the country or be persecuted. So, many jews at the time decided to “become” christians (the idea was only to pretend they were christians but many families, over the years/decades/centuries, really became christians).
One part of the process of the “transformation” was to change their surname: the jews had hebrew names so they had to change it to portuguese/christian names so the method they invented was to change their surnames to plants names. That’s why in Portugal (and Brazil, consequently) there are lots of surnames such as Figueira (fig tree), Pereira (pear tree), Rosa (rose), Silva (brambles), etc. Every name that means some kind of plant its descendent from jews families, like 500 years ago 🙂
October 2, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi fellow Silva’s with De or Da as well, ;p My dad’s surname had the Da but when his family came to the States they dropped the Da and we all have been just Silva. My father came from Terceira, Azores when he was around 12/13 years old. However, what I am posting about is how confused I am about the whole Roman theory versus the Jewish theory. Which is correct? Is it written anywhere who was the first Silva? Also, I am concerned how over time the Silva line has changed and been blended with so many differing cultures that are the Silva’s from the Azores different than the ones from the mainland? It is hard to tell the difference between those from the islands since there has been the Moors, Flemish, Jewish and even African mixed in the blood. Which was mixed with the Silva line the most? My last question is this, the ones from the Azores who did they stem from, from whom within the mainland originally? If anyone would like to contact me about our surname please find me on facebook. I would love to chat about our heritage whatever it entails. Thank You!
October 24, 2012 at 4:53 am
Thank you for your research. This my mothers maiden name.
November 25, 2012 at 1:13 am
hello my name is jessica schwartz and i am adopted recently i found out that my birth fathers last name was silva my whole life i have believed i was Mexican due to the fact that i was classified that since i had tan skin, but lately now that i am older no one thinks i am Mexican they believe im white mixed with something south of the border is silva also a common Mexican way is there any way to know what i am?
November 25, 2012 at 11:56 pm
isn’t it Portuguese not mexican
December 13, 2012 at 2:08 am
Hi, My name is Richard D’ Silva and I’m from Singapore. It’s a tiny island in South East Asia beside the big countries of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. As far as my father could relate to me about our roots, we were actually decendents of Portugal. During Alfonso De Albuque’s time from the Gulf of Spain to Asia via Africa, India (Goa) and to Malacca (Malaysia). Many of his seamen settled in these areas and thus inter-marriage with the local has resulted in several Portugese surnames surfacing. I hope I can find my roots as to where I actually originated, be it my great grandfather or otherwise.
February 11, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Hi we are from Portugal, Islands of Europe and Spain, I have a tan complexion too both my parents are fair. My ancestor called it caramel tone… i liked that, we call our name Clan!!!
December 27, 2012 at 9:45 am
My grandfather was a black Portuguese man and his last name was da Silva. I never met him, he passed away before I was born and any other family members who would have any info are now deceased as well.
March 24, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Thee is so much mind-blogging ignorance in this thread suggesting most commenters are half-wits. The name Silva has no connection whatsoever with the Jews or the Indu godess! Having a particular name doesn’t mean you are a descendent from a family or ethnic genealogical line.
January 11, 2013 at 9:17 am
The easiest way for males with the surname Silva to determine if they may have Jewish roots is to have their Y-DNA analyzed. Y-haplogroups J is the most common among Jewish males, followed by haplogroup E. G2c* is also seen among Jewish males, though not as common as the J and E lineages. But Jewish males occur in virtually all haplogroups to some degree or another, due to introgression into the community.
It should be kept in mind that although Jewish males are most frequently in haplogroups J and E; being in either of these haplogroups doesn’t necessarily guarantee the individual is descended from a Jewish ancestor. Though my paternal line is from northern Germany, I’m in haplogroup E, which only runs at 2 and 1/2 percent in that region. But I’m in the most common European variety called V-13. There are Jewish males in this subclade, but there are several other subclades that occur far more commonly in Jewish males. And haplogroups J and E occur widely throughout the Mediterranean basin in non-Jewish people. Only about 6% of my matches at familytreeDNA.com are Jewish at the low 12 marker resolution. However, at 25 markers 3 of 5 of my matches trace their roots to Spain, one of whose families practices circumcision despite being Catholic, and two others suspect Sephardic ancestry. In my family’s case, until further information is forthcoming, the possibility of a distant Sephardic ancestor is presently in the ‘maybe’ category.
January 25, 2013 at 9:56 am
Hi, I have been trying to find the meaning of my last name but every time I search I just come up with the spelling of yours. My last name is Silvea…
February 11, 2013 at 2:37 pm
It was on a site that Americans changed the spelling, Silva means Forest in English Oxford Dictonary
January 28, 2013 at 5:55 am
Hi.
Intresting to find this.
My great great granddad’s surname was da silva (all from portugal) due to a family fight my grand dad changed his surname to silver, he moved his family to namibia from where everybody moved to south africa when namibia became an indipendend country.
Does anybody know about this?
Regards
February 7, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Wow! awesome site! This will be interesting to check out when I go back to Portugal. I’m a 1st generation American, my father Manuel da Silva (original I know, lol) is son of Jose daSilva from the the Arrifes in Soa Miguel, Acores. Most of us have moved to Rhode Island, USA.
Its great we all have a place to come to find out more about our name and possibly where we came from. I wonder if any of us are close cousins or something? I’ll definitely be checking back from time to time to find out more as I had no idea how much history our name possibly has.
Thanks Mike for all the work you’ve put in for us.
~Kevin da Silva
March 5, 2013 at 3:55 pm
my great grand father ‘s name in jose dasilva married to maria mariano he is from san miguel in the azores. he moved to hawaii i beleive in the 1870″s aprox. the island of Kauai in the town of Lawai where he owned an entire valley from the mountain to the ocean. my name is Robbie j silva sr.I am also from the hawaiian island of Kauai. This name jose dasilva seems to be a common name.jose dasilva had several children,frank, joao,joe, stella, luivena are the ones that i can rember.
February 11, 2013 at 2:33 pm
We are not Jewish, i don’t see how unless someone took the Da Silva last name. I had someone check my bloodline from Europe,. There was a time when Portugal converted Jewish people instead of killing them like Spain Had. They were asked to leave or become new Christians which lasted 20 years under watch. Ever thought of a servant in a house?? Or somone taking the name to be in good light to be welcome from a new town, We are a Noble House. I met a Indian named Da Silva and he said his father took the name from his master, things like that do occur. If we had an Orphanage all their names would be Da Silva.
April 7, 2013 at 6:12 pm
I like your blog. My namd is bradley da silva
April 16, 2013 at 12:07 am
It’s a Jewish surname. I am a Jewish descendent of Silvas from Portugal now living in the southwestern United States. Beyond a doubt, in my opinion, the surname Silva is a Jewish name.
July 4, 2013 at 1:58 pm
This is exactly what I need. My name is Sisanda & in search of my family as well as interested of knowing my roots or background. All I know is that my father is Jose da Silva he has a daughter Maria da Silva maiden surname da Mota & 2 sons Virglio & Lidio da Silva. They used to stay in JHB SA & that was in the 80’s & 90’s, & I believe that Maria used to work for FNB in Turffontein. Please if there is anyone who can assist me, they can email me on snyawula@gmail.com
I’m now 28 & don’t know any thing about my origins, I am so desperate in finding my family.
July 26, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Laerte J da Silva – Quite interesting to know that there are so many da Silva’s around the world. I’m from Brazil.
September 23, 2013 at 7:24 pm
is the silva name jewish or something else trying to find my roots
September 25, 2013 at 12:28 pm
well then,i´m a real da silva because i get my surname from my dad´s family in the north.
October 1, 2013 at 6:04 pm
my great great grandfather was named elefon joseph da sylva not sure of the spelling of his given name.All we have is he of Portuguese blood,we have no idea which part of Portugal he is from.We are from New Zealand, if anyone could help with any imformation, would really be agreat help. So good to see what will happen from this adventure.
October 21, 2013 at 11:07 pm
The name goes back quite aways ” A 1st century AD Roman governor of Judea had the name Silva” … “there was a Roman general Flavius Silva, at Marsala he built a ramp to the top of that mountain and conquered the land thereof.” http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/portrait/jews.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silva
October 23, 2013 at 9:14 am
I have found this site really interesting. My maiden name is de Silva. My fathers’ family came from India and over the years the spelling of our name has been changed several times – it has been da Silva, D’Silva, DeSilva, de Silva etc. The earliest ancestor I have traced is Miguel Desterro da Silva born circa 1803-1815. On his Marriage certificate it states ‘A gentleman of Portugese origin from Goa.’ His parents were Antonio Joao da Silva and Remi Archangela. I have no information as to where in Portugal they originated from. An old Aunt did tell me they were Jews forced to leave Portugal, but I have no firm evidence to comfirm this story!
October 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm
I can relate I was born in Brava Cape Verde Islands and raised in New York NY,
João Antonio de Pina – Silva
November 1, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Possibly as in the 1800’s this dis happen.
August 2, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Very interesting. My grandmother was Ana Arcangela. My grandfathers son was Antonio da Silva. We do have Piresh or Peresh in our bloodline. The Piresh family Maried the family Silva -Andrade. As I understood the Pires family originated from Portugal to India.
November 3, 2013 at 12:18 am
Hi Guys,
I was just wondering, how do you ‘trace’ down your ancestors?
November 3, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Start with what you know. Ask living relatives for more information. Once you have exhausted these resources, you begin searching civil/church records. FamilySearch.org is a great resource. That’s how I would start. Other ideas?
November 4, 2013 at 12:15 am
ancestry.com Access the world’s largest online family history resource on your desktop or on the go.
November 4, 2013 at 10:02 pm
What a great blog! I am a first generation American of Portuguese decent. My family name is Da Silva, but in Portuguese tradition your middle name is your maternal surname, so both my grandparents had da silva as their surname(not directly related), and they made my dad a Cardoso????? Anyway, yes silva means thorny bushes. My great grandfather came to America through Ellis island in the early 1900’s, Joaquin pereira da silva, looking for work, saved money and then went back and bought a few farms. My grandfather Jose da silva, also then came to NY in the late 30’s worked and then went back had a family, and then they all moved here permanently in the early 60’s. My dad is from the Porto area, and I have been fortunate enough to go back for summer vacations, we have a lot of family there.
February 14, 2015 at 10:26 pm
Hello,
This is my De Silver ( de Silva) ancestry. I have had my dna tested through Ancestry.com, FTDNA, and 23andme. My GEDmatch number is: 632230.
Jose C. DeSilver b. 19 Jan 1829 O Porto, Portugal (Yarmouth, MA V.R.); died 19 March 1896 West Yarmouth, MA; married Amanda Robinson, 19 October 1854 South Dennis, MA (All locations on Cape Cod.) Was in the US Civil War. Deposition papers say he first came here at age 15 (1844). He was called a Mariner & Soldier.
February 16, 2014 at 12:17 am
My great ancestor married a Swede. They got married in. The 1700s .there were hardly no sweeds or very few Portuguese. In NC. Most of my folks are Scots Irish….its strange to see a sweed and a Portuguese married in yancey county
April 18, 2014 at 1:44 am
Hello,
This is my De Silver ( de Silva) ancestry. I have had my dna tested and would like to compare with anyone who can identify with this genealogy.
Jose C. DeSilver b. 19 Jan 1829 O Porto, Portugal (Yarmouth, MA V.R.); died 19 March 1896 West Yarmouth, MA; married Amanda Robinson, 19 October 1854 South Dennis, MA (All locations on Cape Cod.) Was in the US Civil War. Deposition papers say he first came here at age 15 (1844). He was called a Mariner & Soldier.
November 19, 2014 at 8:30 pm
On the island of Graciosa (Azores) Silva is a common name. I have an aunt who is Silva married to a Silva. That is their only relationship.
The name seems to originate in Galicia (northern Portugal bordering on Spanish Galicia. National Geographic Society has traced my family DNA, on my father’s side, to this area.
May 2, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Researching my Silva roots all i have to go on is that my Dads family came from the Azores from what i can find my dads dad is Manual P Silva and married Rita? Silva their children were Tony William Silva D.O.B 1988 my Grandpa any information on him would be great he married Claire Julianne Andrade i believe they all were from Sunol, Ca. Livermore,Ca and last stop milpitas,Ca. my grandpa was a cattle rancher if their is any family it would be great to talk. thank you. Great Page!
July 11, 2014 at 9:20 am
My father’s last name is Silva and my mother’s last name was also Silva. Their parents last names was Silva also. None of them were related until marriage. The last name Silva in Portugal means nothing without the names that proceed it, since there are so many Silva’s.
I hate to break it to you, but Silva started out as a peasant name, as well as might have been used during the Sephardic conversion since most converts are named after trees.
July 19, 2014 at 7:22 pm
My surname is DaSilva as well, and I was wondering, is there any actual crest or coat of arms associated with it? I’ve searched for it, but the only thing that comes up is that site that copies and pastes the same exact crest for nearly every surname and just changes the colors, so obviously that’s fake.
August 10, 2014 at 4:13 pm
The best I know is `a lion rampant crowned, purple on a field of gold.`
August 10, 2014 at 4:08 pm
My name is Anthony Silva of Montreal, formerly of New Bedford, Mass. When I went to Portugal in 1961, my host told me that the Silva’s are the Jews of Portugal. I thought he was a joking. Later in the US my professor of Arabic told me I had a Jewish profile. About 10 years ago a study was made here about Portuguese that placed a white tablecloth on the table and lit candles on Friday at sundown, but didn’t know why. A little research revealed that up to 40% of the Silva’s in Portugal are of Jewish origin. Unlike Spain, Portuguese Jews were allowed to stay if they accepted to become christians. Many secretly continued to practice Judaism. Many rose to high places in the government. A genealogy search kept giving a link to a Sephardim website. In spirit I have always identified with Jews. Is it true? I don’t know. But I am certainly not reluctant to share my experiences.
August 10, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Would you happen to have any relations to any Silva family in sunol or Milpitas,Ca. My grandfather was Tony William Silva. I’m not sure of the day or month but his year was 1888 ti 1979 His family was from the Azores. Thank you for your time. Christine Silva.
August 10, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Not to my knowledge. My family is from Madeira.
August 10, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Ok thank you for your time.
November 19, 2014 at 3:01 pm
My name is Jessica Donato. I am looking for a man who I believe his last name is DeSilva. My grandmother Barbara was never giving us straight answers. Richard DeSilva is the father to my father and I am desperately trying to find out more about my background and let him know he has another son walking this Earth. As far as I know, he immigrated to New York and I believe was around the area Brooklyn. I have done tons of searches on him but have not found him. There are so many Richards out there. If you have any information, I would be forever grateful.
November 19, 2014 at 8:09 pm
“De Silva” is common to Portuguese India (Goa) and were usually Portuguese citizens of Indian descent. “Da Silva” is common to ethnic Portuguese. This rule may not be hard and fast but it is what I have encountered over the years. My grandfather dropped the “da” when he became an American citizen. Hope this helps.
November 20, 2014 at 9:48 am
I was a notary public in Massachusetts and in preparing or translating documents I occasionally found the man’s name as Silva and the spouse’s name as da Silva. It was common for the wife to keep her family name. Now, in Europe the wife frequently takes her husband’s name, while in the Americas, she keeps her family name. The situation has completely reversed. In my family one uncle took grandfather’s name, and the brother took grandma’s name. Spaniards generally took both names, e.g. García y Vega where Garcia is the father and Vega is the mother. “Legalizing” both names was quite a hassle sometimes. Immigration officials often arbitrarily chose what name to use, e.g. “Vito Corleone”.
February 9, 2015 at 12:51 am
Hey mate my grandfather was a sylva he’s passed nw i hv ben told that we are portugese, oh n we are native to aotearoa this is th most ever info I HV seen for Silva, sylva etc so keep it coming also dasylva dynasty I can’t fond I on Facebook.
March 11, 2015 at 8:23 pm
My family is from Madeira…. my grandfather was one of 9 children I believe… maybe more… and I am not sure of how to look back any further and where they all went after he left.
March 26, 2015 at 5:09 am
Hello, I am living in the Netherlands and am descendant of a da Silva but he was born in Flanders(Belgium)in 1773 or 1774 in town of Geerardsbergen,name Josephus de Silva,his father could be a Piere de Silva.Can ayone tell me if at any time a Portugese fisherman(as the story goes)came from the so called Azores to Flanders and who that was?
March 26, 2015 at 7:31 pm
More likely it is the opposite. Breton and Flemish fisherman ply the waters off the Azores. One of my ancestors, LeBon, married and settled in the Azores.
March 26, 2015 at 7:36 pm
More likely, it was the opposite. One of my ancestors, a Breton fisherman plied the waters off the Azores. He married and settled in the Azores as did other Breton and Flemish fisherman. At one time the Azores was called the Flemish Isles and many women still wear Flemish style capes.
April 2, 2015 at 8:57 am
The Silva bloodline goes back beyond Portugal, yes, it arises in Spain, but the name has been found in ancient Rome as well. One Lucius Flavius, Silva Nonius Bassus bore the surname of Silva. Back in the year of AD, 73, April 15, Silva laid waste to Masada. A recent archeological dig rediscovered his name on a stone attesting to this. During the Roman emperor, Domitian’s reign of terror, Silva’s military accomplishments were erased from the ancient Roman’s archives. But despite that, his exploit survived in the retelling of Masada’s demise by the Great Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus’ writings.
May 31, 2015 at 8:01 pm
I hypothesize that the Silvaa family origins were spawned by the Sumarians’ of what was southern Mesopotamia.Refered to as the enlightened ones,or the illuminated,they were reportedly tall bearded peoples’ who founded the first modern western city,but what do I know?,.I could be wrong.
/
May 31, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Silva in Portuguese means a blackberry bush:
E fui ao Pico e piquei-me
Piquei-me lá um bom picão!.
O pico nasce da silva
e a silva cresce no chão.
(Azorean popular ditty)
July 5, 2015 at 9:29 pm
The Portuguese and Galician surname “da Silva” or “de Silva” is of toponymic origin and first records seem to surface near a place called Silva, located in the now municipality of Valença do Minho.
In Portuguese we denote the place as… “Silva é uma freguesia portuguesa do concelho de Valença.” (Not to be confused with, Valencia Spain, which is on the opposite side of the Iberian peninsula.) The toponymic origin is actually a description of a tower… Which still exists by the way, and even has a coat of arms of stone on it.
Records seem to infer that a wealthy man called, Guterre Alderete da Silva(1040), was lord the Castle “de Alderete” and of the Tower “de Silva”. Coat of Arms at the tower show a lion Rampant, in one of the quadrants. Heraldry uses a purple lion, but no crown. (Purple Lion with a crown denotes Spanish royalty.)
Just as the lion of the tribe of Judah, symbolizes David and thus by lineage Jesus Christ. So the Lion denotes a heraldic link to Christianity.
We have to be very careful though, if the genealogical lineage is not exactly and precisely known, then any sort inference or guess is a corruption and just wishful thinking.
So don’t get all puffed up about the surname, because it’s true origin is not well known at this time.
So pick your favourite hypothesis…
Ancient Angle…
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Silva – Lucius Flavius Silva Nonius Bassus, Roman General, same one that laid seige to Masada
Silvanus – a divinity protecting the flocks of cattle, and promoting their fertility.
Silvanus – A diety first to set up stones to mark the limits of fields.
Silvanus (mythology) Roman tutelary deity
Silvani – Every Roman estate had three Silvani
Selvans – Etruscan deity, even older and more pagan than Romans
Silvano – A wood god
Meanings in Portuguese Language…
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Silva – Woody, Bramble Bush area.
Silva – Peniteutial instrument made of copper.
Silvas – Bramble Bush, sometimes blackberry
Silvado – Small bushy area
Silvar – Whislter, (not hissing)
Silvo – Whisling
Silvár – to whip
Silveira – thorny bush
Slivestre – Woodish area
Anyway, the surname is certainly prolific. At the end of the day, Its your character and what you do for others that defines you, not the obscure “da Silva” surname.
July 6, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Very good research.
July 12, 2015 at 8:28 am
Conquered Coimbra with his brother, Count Gonzalo Pelaez and his father in that conquest. Senor de Alderete de Suso and Yuso and of the Quinta Torre de Silva. Sources: Nobliario das familias de Portugal: Felgueiras Gayo. Carvalhos de Basto, 2nda Edicao Braga 19 89. Pedatura Lusitana 6 Vol. Cristovaoalao de Morais, Caravalhos de Basto 2nda Edicao Braga 1997. Silva is a common name in Portugal and Brazil. It is also widespread in regions of former Portugese empire in Asia. The name Silva originally came from the Latin meaning woods. It was adopted in western Iberia when conquered by the ancient Romans in 219 BC. Through marriage it is said that since almost the beginning the Portugese da Silva are descendants of Muhammed through the Caliphs of Cordoba.
Cheer up because the de Silva lineage has been traced back to Athanaric II Balthes: The name Athaneiks means, king of the year. He shows up in history during the year 369 facing of in battle against Valens, emperor of Eastern Rome. Historical note: The origins of the Goths seem to be originating in Gotland, in South Sweden . The tribes traveled through eastern Europe to the Visigothic kingdoms in Romania and then t hrough the Ukrain which belonged to the Ostrogothic peoples. The year 700 through 775 find s a Cantabrian family coming into our family tree into Iberia. It was during this time period that the Visigoths had given the Moorish invaders a pretty hard go at it and they, the Moors never could control Navarre. Going back even further we see the Romans being killed by droves at the hands of the Goths and Visigoths. Their method of fighting tells us, guerilla warfare was at its best. The historical records tell us that in the year 9 AD a crunching defeat was inflicted upon 15,000 legionairs who had crossed the river Rhine. When the dust of battle had settled only 80 Roman soldiers had survived. Quintilius, their leader, and the Roman people had learned a valuable lesson and got a glimpse of what was to come in their future. It is said that Visgoths were the descendants of the Scythians of antiquity. There are words in that language that contain a distinct identiy within the Sanscrit of Indian origin. Aoric Balt is my 53rd Great, Great Great Grandfather.
Lamhfion was also known as Dayag Adon Scotia (or Dagda/ Dyggvi/ Dagr Spaka). His son was Heber Scot of Gothia who was also known as Dag the Wise (Dagr Spaka /Dagda Scoti). Heber Scot o f Gothia went to Scotland and was reconciled with the Rulers of Godddodin. He married Lady (M ara) Esther the daughter of Rafael V Naftali (Telpuil) and the Lady Adah of Babylon and the y then returned to Gothia. Their son was Fisher King Agnan II of Gothia. His son Yohannan Fao bhar Glas became the Abba Abbot of Avalon (Glastonbury) around 350 AD. Faobhar’s son was Nath aniel of Gothia who married his kinswoman the Lady Adah of Goddodin daughter of Rafael VIII V otepacus. Nathaniel’s son was Nathan (Nuada) of Gothia whose sister the Lady Ada married St Ninian. Nathan of Gothia had a brother who was Alaric I King of the Visigoths (Vastergoths ) who gathered a military force and marched into the East and eventually sacked Rome in 410 . It would seem that Alaric I split from his family when he became an Arian and he led his Arian followers to join with other Arian Goths living in Romania who were led by Athanaric of the Balts. His son Theodoric I was the leader of the Visigoths in Gaul and Spain. Athanaric was a son of Alaric or Aoric of the Baltic Goths who was the son of Agnan II of Gothia. It would seem that the Visigoths and Ostrogoths (both probably belonging to R1b y-dna) were driven out of Gothia in Sweden by the Swedes (probably of Assyrian-Samartian I y-dna)
John Browne y Ayes, Author of Juan Ponce de Leon His New And Revised Genealogy .
August 31, 2016 at 9:34 pm
We also know the Surname “Silva” was written as “Sylva” from http://bit.ly/2bDaHXS i.e. sampled from a book called “Historia Genealogica da casa Real Portugueza” – “Family History of the Royal House”. from 1646…
July 25, 2015 at 12:18 am
Hello I’m trying to find my birth father his name is josepth da silva lived in medearia I believe he came to UK as chef,and when he was settled his wife and three children imagrated here to I think he lived I torquay in the UK for while nails I think his daughter who is around 40-45 is called Maria please help me if any info plz email melskin78@icloud.com
August 13, 2015 at 7:45 am
The origins of the Silva family name is difficult,as has pointed out,because of it’s ancient origins,.Latin meanings can be interpreted as ,”silver”,or “star”,or,”fringe”;shard,.sparkle,coast,Scott,Scotia,nova,or many other variants.Also,One must take into consideration that the implied meaning of the name,”Silva”,was in existence long before letterforms had been perfected,and so we can assume that the original concept of the name was depicted using a symbol, mark,or glyph etc.Silva can also be interpreted as “point”,or even “Mark”,.
August 20, 2015 at 6:45 am
My great father was Pedro Secundino Silva his father was José DaSilva who remove da upon arriving Cuba from Canary Isles in Spain were he was born His father Damian Da Silva born in Portugal migrated to Canary Isles about 1749. Doe anyone have information on this branch?
February 1, 2016 at 4:11 pm
My ancestor was Aleixo da Silva ( c 1650 ) from Faial. possibly married to a Luzia Fialho, he may be son of Aleixo da Silva and Agada Vieira from Castelo Branco, any help would be great thanks
June 8, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Greetings from Toronto da Silvas. My mother’s maiden name, her father’s name, is Da Silva from Lomba da Maia, Sao Miguel Azores. I was born there but we emigrated to Canada in 1960. My grandmother used to brag that she was the wealthiest lady on the island of Sao Miguel because she had over 160 grandchildren and great grand children. Twenty years later that number is much higher now. Have been in the Azores in 2015 to explore our roots.
Also traveled over the years to Hawaii, New England, California where I was amazed at the number of people of Portuguese descendants. Have also met Chinese, Goans, Africans and Caribbeans with Portuguese ancestors. It’s amazing that such a small nation had influence all over the world and there are da Silvas all over.
October 6, 2016 at 10:04 am
My DNA results lead me to take a good look at my 7x great grandfather, Pedro Dasilva who came in the 1600’s to Canada (New France at the time).
I have Iberian peninsula DNA, and European Jewish DNA. I was so surprised because I am French Canadian😊 Pedro must be the one who contributed that part of my genetics. So fascinating!
All of the information posted here has been so helpful!
Thanks cousins!
October 7, 2016 at 11:24 am
My DNA origins are from Spain, France, Levite and Indigenous. My paper trail led me to the de Silva of Spain. Prince of Eboli, Gomez de Silva. From there I found my ancestor, Andres Alvarez de Silva. In his lineage he has a lot of Converso who were accused by the Inquisition. As far as Spaniards being, “Pure Blooded,” that is a farce.
October 23, 2016 at 1:09 am
My g-g-grandmother was Benigna Silva, wife of Juan Pabon Ales of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. She is the daughter of Rudolfo Silva Acaron and Maria Monserrate Pabon-Irizarry. All I know of the Silva generations before her, I’ve learned from a cousin I met online. Apparently Rudolfo Silva’s g-grandfather Juan de Silva Guadron resided in Villa San Gil, Columbia. Juan was the son of Pedro de Silva Velasco, according to this cousin, and prior to that Marcos de Silva and Maria de Velasco from somewhere in Spain. I welcome more information on this family.
February 14, 2017 at 1:12 am
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silva
February 14, 2017 at 1:15 am
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silva
Original of solva surname
December 19, 2017 at 11:06 am
What if your family would come form Da Silveira..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_van_der_Haegen
May 8, 2018 at 11:56 am
https://capeverdehistoryunearthed.com/2016/02/20/aniceto-antonio-ferreira-captain-general-and-commander-of-boa-vista/
My family came from CV Africa to USA…. Were the decendant of the Jnights of Templar come order of Christ… from the Port of the Holy Grail – Portugal…
July 9, 2018 at 12:17 am
Hi my name is Anna Sylvia I was told our last name of da silva changed when my great grandparents moved to the USA. They lived in Madieras. There names are Francis Joseph Sylvia 1847-1918 and Mary Joaquin Gonzales Sylvia 1875-1926 and they were married over there in 1892. They immigrated in 1890. My email is anasilviawooten1981@gmail.com
If you’ve got extra information on how or when the family name changed please write me. If you’ve got more information on my family can you please share it? Thank you.
August 19, 2018 at 5:02 am
Hi! I’m from Macau, ex-colony of Portugal. My grandfather’s surname was ‘da Silva” and according to what I was told, his grandfather came from the North of Portugal in the 19th century. I wonder if my ancestors from Portugal has anything to do with the ‘Torre da Silva” and would like to know my family in Portugal. Thanks for all the information provided.
August 19, 2018 at 2:24 pm
I also found out I’m related to Silva’s. My great, great, great grandfather was John or Juan Goncalo or Gonzales the father of my great great grandmother Mary Joaquim Gonzales or Goncalo Sylvia.
February 16, 2019 at 7:17 pm
I am seeking a Richard DeSilva or DaSilva who immigrated to NY. He would be in his 80’s and we have registered to Ancestry.com, but have not found any information on him. If you happen to know of him, from what I was told he mostly resides in Brooklyn, NY. He also worked for the Philadelphia Armory. I would just like to connect as a family member. Please comment if you have any information.