Surname Mendes - Meaning and Origin

An Emotional Journey Through My Ancestors’ History with iGENEA DNA test

Embark on an honest and emotional recount of my experience with iGENEA's DNA test, touching on the nerves, anticipation, and pride felt at different stages. Explore the newfound respect for my surname, Mendes, and how it reshaped my view of my family's history.

G. Mendes

Mendes: What does the surname Mendes mean?

The surname Mendes has a Jewish and Spanish origin. In Jewish, it derived from the Hebrew given name Menahem, meaning "comforter". It was particularly popular among the Jews in Spain and Portugal. Later, after the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, it spread to other countries such as Netherlands, France, Italy, Morocco and even America. In Spanish, it is the variant of the surname Mendez, meaning "son of Mendo", where Mendo or Menendo is derived from the Visigoth name Hermenegildo, signifying "complete sacrifice". It's also probable that the surname could have originated from the patronymic Mendez, used by the Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain during the 15th century. Therefore, Mendes is a surname with connections to both Hebrew and Spanish history and culture.

Mendes: Where does the name Mendes come from?

The surname Mendes has Spanish and Portuguese origins, specifically from the Sephardic Jewish communities who lived in Spain and Portugal during the Medieval period. The name means "son of Mendo or Menendo". These male given names were common markers of descent in the Iberian Peninsula at the time. The popularity of the Mendes surname grew after Jewish families were expelled from Spain in 1492 and dispersed throughout Europe, the Americas, and North Africa. These communities often kept their original surname. Today, the Mendes surname is commonly found in countries once colonized by Portugal, such as Brazil. However, the surname is also quite popular in Portugal itself, as well as other Portuguese-speaking nations like Angola and Mozambique. You can also find the surname in former Spanish colonies, particularly in Latin America. It's important to note that Mendes is a common surname in Jewish Sephardic communities around the world, thus it can be found globally, especially in countries with a large Jewish diaspora, such as the United States and Israel. Famous individuals with this surname include singer Shawn Mendes and actress Eva Mendes.

Variations of the surname Mendes

Mendes is a common surname of Portuguese and Sephardic Jewish origin. Variations of this surname can come in different spellings and forms, based on cultural backgrounds and regional influences.

Some of these variants include Mendez, Méndez, and Mendoza, which are more prevalent in Spain and Hispanic countries. The variant Mendéz is a common form in Hispanic American countries, reflecting the pronunciation change of the 's' on the end of words. The variant Mendès is more common in French-speaking countries.

Mendes is also a common Sephardic Jewish surname and its variants include Mendez, Mendès, Mendez-Soares, Mendez-Cohen, and even Menashe.

In terms of its origin, the surname Mendes and its variants descend from a medieval given name, Menendo or Menendus. It might be connected to the Visigothic name Hermenegildo converging into names like Mendez, Mendes, Menendez, and Mendoza, meaning "son of Menendo".

Please note that even though these names share a common root, each has developed independently and can have a different significance in different geographical and cultural contexts. Therefore, not everyone carrying these surnames can be considered to be of the exact same lineage.

Famous people with the name Mendes

• Shawn Mendes: A Canadian singer-songwriter who gained major recognition after posting song covers on Vine in 2013.
• Eva Mendes: An American actress, model, and businesswoman, known for her roles in films including "Hitch" and "2 Fast 2 Furious."
• Sergio Mendes: A Brazilian musician, composer, and record producer, best known for his bossa nova music.
• Sam Mendes: An English film and stage director, producer, and screenwriter. He directed the James Bond films "Skyfall" and "Spectre."
• Alfredo Mendes: A prominent figure in Portuguese architecture during the first half of the 20th century.
• Amilcar Mendes: A Portuguese footballer who played as a midfielder for Benfica in the 1960s.
• Bridget Mendler: An American actress and singer. While her last name is slightly different, she's often included in results for "Mendes." Known for her role as Teddy Duncan in the Disney Channel Original Series "Good Luck Charlie".
• Jorge Mendes: A Portuguese football agent, who is among most powerful sports agents in the world.
• Clara Mendes: A Brazilian actress famous for her TV and film roles in Brazil.
• Pedro Mendes: A former Portuguese professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Other surnames

MendeMendez