Show ContentsNeira History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Spanish family name Neira is of ancient and noble descent, and is classified as being of habitation origin. In this particular instance, the name Neira was taken from the place named Neira. The etymology of the Galician word "neira" lies in the Basque term "nerea" meaning "bog of ferns."

Early Origins of the Neira family

The surname Neira was first found in the northwestern province of Galicia, where the family held their ancestral seat. The first references to the name Neira are from the 10th century and mention the first title of nobility being granted to a family member.

Early History of the Neira family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neira research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1595 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Neira History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neira Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Neira, Neyra and others.

Early Notables of the Neira family

Prominent among bearers of the Neira family name at this time was

  • Sancho de Neira, a knight who helped King Fernando III "the Saint" during the conquest of Sevilla...
  • Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira or Neyra (1541-1595) was a Spanish navigator, who was on the voyage, who discovered Wake Island and the Solomon Islands...


United States Neira migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Neira Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ruy De Neira, who arrived in America in 1827 1
  • Joaquin De Neira, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1840 1
  • Manuel Neira, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1858 1
  • Andres Neira, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1860 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Neira (post 1700) +

  • Marina Alabau Neira (b. 1985), Spanish sailor
  • Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira (1542-1595), Spanish navigator
  • Hernán Neira (b. 1960), Peruvian professor and writer born in Lima
  • Juan Neira (b. 1989), Argentine football forward
  • Alonso Neira (b. 1913), Colombian sculptor
  • Xosé Neira Vilas (1928-2015), Galician writer
  • Guillermo Neira Matéus (b. 1886), Colombian lawyer


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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