Mendes

Mendes is a surname of Portuguese origin. It is a patronymic derived from the medieval given name Mendo and the suffix -es, indicating "son of Mendo." The Spanish variant Méndez shares the same root. In Portuguese-speaking countries, the surname is common in Portugal and Brazil and is found throughout Lusophone communities around the world.

Today, Mendes is widely distributed in Portugal and Brazil, with significant presence also in Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, reflecting historical patterns of Portuguese exploration and settlement. Large diaspora populations exist in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

In addition to its use as a surname, Mendes is the name of at least one locality: Mendes, a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Notable individuals with the surname include Sérgio Mendes, a Brazilian composer and musician known for leading Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 and for his contributions to the bossa nova and jazz fusion genres.

There are many other people with the surname Mendes across various fields including sports, arts, politics, and entertainment, particularly in Portuguese-speaking countries.