Arruda History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Portugal

Etymology of Arruda

What does the name Arruda mean?

Research shows that the Portuguese surname Arruda is of two possible origins.

Firstly, it is of local origin, deriving from a natural or man-made geographic feature near which the original bearer resided. In this instance, the surname derives from the Portuguese word "arruda", meaning "rue", derived from the Latin name of the plant ruta, or rutae and ultimately the Greek "rhute". Rue, also called "herb of grace", is the common name applied to a family and genus of aromatic Eurasian plants and trees. Their evergreen leaves yield an acrid, volatile oil formerly used in medicine.

Secondly, the surname may be of occupational origin, deriving from the occupation or trade of the progenitor. In this case, the surname may have identified the bearer as a grower or seller of rue plants. The surname Arruda therefore also means "son or descendant of the one who cultivated or sold rue plants".

Early Origins of the Arruda family

The surname Arruda was first found in the valley of Arruda or the city of Arruda dos Vinhos, near Lisbon, whose oldest document is the donation of the village to the Order of Santiago by Dom Afonso Henriques (1111-85), in 1172.

This was home to the de Arruda family of architects. Diogo de Arruda (c. 1490-1531) was the architect of the Paço da Ribeira bastion erected by Manuel I of Portugal in Lisbon, in an area on the right bank of the Tagus River. He was associated with the Manueline remodelling of the Convent of Christ, serving as a master there from 1510 to 1513. His younger brother Francisco de Arruda, (d. 1547), is best known for his design of the Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal. Francisco was father of Miguel de Arruda (fl. 1532-1563) the Portuguese mestre de obras, architect and military engineer.

Brazil became a stronghold of the family from the 17th century. In São Paulo, among others, the brothers Sebastião de Arruda Botelho, Francisco de Arruda and Sá and André de Sampaio and Arruda, all from the island of São Miguel arrived in 1654.

Early History of the Arruda family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arruda research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1752 and 1810 are included under the topic Early Arruda History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arruda Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Arruda, de Arruda and others.

Early Notables of the Arruda family

Prominent members of the family include

Padre Manuel Arruda da Câmara (1752-1810), a Brazilian cleric, physician and scientist, born in Pombal, Paraíba who became known as one of the great Brazilian botanists of the late eighteenth century

Arruda Ranking

In the United States, the name Arruda is the 6,619^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Arruda migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Arruda Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Manuel Vieria Arruda, aged 32, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Olinda" in 1893 2
Margarida Arruda, aged 20, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Olinda" in 1893 2
Jacintho Ponte Arruda, aged 43, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Peninsular" in 1896 2
Ant. Sousa Arruda, aged 9, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Peninsular" in 1896 2
Alexandrina Arruda, aged 45, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Peninsular" in 1898 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arruda Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Manoel Arruda, aged 21, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oevenum" in 1900 2
Maria da Luz Arruda, aged 23, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oevenum" in 1900 2
Maria Arruda, aged 1, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oevenum" in 1900 2
Antonio Franco Arruda, aged 24, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oevenum" in 1900 2
Mathias Arruda, aged 20, Portuguese settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oevenum" in 1900 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Arruda (post 1700) +

Ki'ilani Arruda (b. 2002), American beauty pageant titleholder, Miss Teen USA 2020
Danielle Scott- Arruda (b. 1972), American-Brazilian volleyball player at the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and the 2012 Summer Olympics
Ellen Arruda, American mechanical engineer, known for her research on the mechanical properties of polymers and on tissue engineering
John M. Arruda, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, 1958-63; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1960 3
Francisco de Arruda (b. 1547), Portuguese architect and sculptor, most notable for his design of the Belém Tower in Lisbon, Portugal
Manuel Arruda da Câmara (1752-1810), Portuguese cleric, physician, and botanist
Ana Margarida Arruda (b. 1955), Portuguese historian and archaeologist specializing in Phoenician-Punic archaeology
Fabio Arruda (1970-2024), Brazilian etiquette consultant and television personality
Sebastian de Arruda Botelho (b. 1642), born in São Miguel, son of Captain Gonçalo Vaz Botelho de Sampaio
Sérgio Arruda, Brazilian diplomat, Ambassador of Brazil in Malaysia
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html