Neves

Neves is a surname of Portuguese origin and is also used as a place name in several Portuguese-speaking countries. The surname derives from the Portuguese word neve, meaning snow, with the suffix -es, a common feature of Iberian surnames that can indicate a toponymic or patronymic origin. It may have been applied to families associated with a locale named Neves or, less likely, to describe a snowy landscape.

Today, Neves is most common in Portugal and Brazil, and it appears among communities in other Lusophone regions such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. As a toponym, Neves appears in the names of towns, parishes, and districts in various countries, reflecting its role in Iberian geographic naming.

Numerous individuals bearing the surname Neves have gained recognition in fields such as politics, sports, science, and the arts within Portuguese-speaking countries, contributing to the name’s presence in public life. The name is also encountered in literature and media, and it forms part of the cultural tapestry of Lusophone communities.

Overall, Neves exemplifies a cross-border Iberian surname with toponymic usage, illustrating how a single word can function both as a family name and a geographic identifier across multiple countries.