MENDES Origin of surname
MENDES, MENDEZ
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin.
In modern Portuguese the spelling variant is Mendes, and in modern Spanish Mendez. Mendes is a Spanish/Portuguese patronymic which means "son of Mendo". In some cases Mendes is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives. It is associated with the town of Mendez in the district of Leiria, Portugal.
Distinguished bearers of the family name Mendes include Diogo Mendes (born before 1492, died 1542), a Spanish born Crypto-Jew banker and brother in law of the leader, politician and banker Hanna Gracia Mendes Nasi ('Donna Gracia'), born 1510 in Lisbon, Portugal, died 1569 in Constantinople.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a patronymic, derived from a male ancestor's personal name, in this case of biblical origin.
In modern Portuguese the spelling variant is Mendes, and in modern Spanish Mendez. Mendes is a Spanish/Portuguese patronymic which means "son of Mendo". In some cases Mendes is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives. It is associated with the town of Mendez in the district of Leiria, Portugal.
Distinguished bearers of the family name Mendes include Diogo Mendes (born before 1492, died 1542), a Spanish born Crypto-Jew banker and brother in law of the leader, politician and banker Hanna Gracia Mendes Nasi ('Donna Gracia'), born 1510 in Lisbon, Portugal, died 1569 in Constantinople.