| ![Show Contents]() De souza History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Portugal
Spain
Etymology of De souzaWhat does the name De souza mean? This place-name is derived from the Latin word 'salsa,' which means 'salty,' and indicates that the location so named was once known for a salt deposit. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Latin word Saxa, later Sausa, meaning 'rocks'. Early Origins of the De souza familyThe surname De souza was first found in northern Portugal, where many take their name from the Sousa River, a tributary of the Douro. Don Egal Gomes de Sousa (1035-?) was an 11th century Lord and the first known bearer of the name. He was Lord of Sousa, Novelas and Felgueiras, and took his name from his estates in the first Lordship. Don Egal was the grandson of King Fernando of Castille and married dona Falmula Gomes, great, great grand-daughter of King Ramiro I. He was governor of the entire region of Entre Douro e MinhoIt and is thought that the line of the De souza family descends from their noble roots. Early History of the De souza familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our De souza research. The years 1386, 1500, 1503, 1512, 1555, 1557, 1564, 1579, 1583, 1590, 1594, 1624, 1631, 1632, 1649, 1663, 1666, 1714 and 1722 are included under the topic Early De souza History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. De souza Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: De Sousa, De Souza, De Sosa, De Soza, Sousa, Souza, Sosa and many more. Early Notables of the De souza familyProminent members of the family include - Tomé de Souza (1503-1579), the first governor of Brazil and founded Salvador, Bahia; and João de Sousa, 3rd Marquis of Minas (1666-1722), the 6th Count of Prado, Portuguese nobleman and member of the...
De souza RankingIn the United States, the name De souza is the 9,581st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name De souza is ranked the 4,915th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2
| De souza migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: De souza Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Jose Bernando de Souza, aged 36, arrived in New York in 1919 from Havre, France 3
- Antonio de Souza, aged 22, arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Great City" from Portland, England 3
- Manuel de Souza, aged 21, originally from West Indies, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mayaro" from Grenada, British West Indies 3
- Carmen de Souza, aged 18, originally from Port of Spain, T'dad, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mayaro" from Port of Spain, Trinidad 3
- Edith De Souza, aged 28, originally from Isabellton, Jamaica, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Abangarez" from Kingston, Jamaica 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name De souza (post 1700) | + |
- Kevin C. Desouza, American Associate Professor at the University of Washington
- Cedric Victor desouza, American artist, art director, writer and musician
- Antônio Fagundes de Souza (1934-2025), Brazilian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais from 1987 to 1988
- Raul de Souza (1934-2021), Brazilian trombonist, also known as Raulzinho
- Aparecido Donizetti de Souza (b. 1973), known as Donizetti or Doni, a Brazilian footballer
- Wilfred de Souza GCIH, FRCS, FRCSE (1927-2015), Indian surgeon and politician from Goa
- Tony DeSouza (b. 1974), Peruvian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- Erika Cristina de Souza (b. 1982), Brazilian professional women's basketball player
- Eugenio de Souza, Marquis of Mendía
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