Gonsalves

Gonsalves is a surname of Portuguese origin that is common among the Anglo-Indian community in the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the Portuguese surname "Gonzalves", which means "son of Gonçalo". The surname is patronymic in nature, indicating descent from a male ancestor named Gonçalo.

Origins

The Gonsalves surname can be traced back to Portuguese colonisation of India in the 16th century. Many individuals bearing the surname Gonsalves are descendants of Portuguese settlers who intermarried with local Goan and Anglo-Indian populations. As a result, the surname has become ingrained in the Anglo-Indian diaspora in the UK.

Distribution

Today, individuals with the surname Gonsalves can be found across various regions of the United Kingdom, particularly in cities with significant Anglo-Indian communities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. The surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries through migration.

Notable Individuals

While the surname Gonsalves may not be widely known outside of specific communities, there have been notable individuals bearing this surname who have made contributions in various fields, such as academia, the arts, business, and public service.

Conclusion

The surname Gonsalves exemplifies the cultural diversity and historical connections between Portugal, India, and the United Kingdom. Its presence in the British Isles serves as a reminder of the rich tapestry of identities that form the multicultural society of the UK.

There are approximately 1,006 people named Gonsalves in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,347th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Gonsalves.

Origin: Iberian

Region of origin: Europe

Country of origin: Spain

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Spanish

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • Antonio
  • Dominic
  • Francisco
  • Horace
  • Jason
  • Joao
  • John
  • Joseph
  • Mark
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Stephen
  • Wayne

Female

  • Diana
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Juliet
  • Kim
  • Maria
  • Marie
  • Natasha
  • Pamela
  • Petra
  • Sharon
  • Stephanie
  • Valerie

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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