Show ContentsÁlves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Álves

What does the name Álves mean?

The surname Álves is patronymic, that is, it is a surname derived from the first name of a male relative. In this case, the surname is derived from the Portuguese/Spanish first name Alvaro, which is ultimately from the Germanic (Visigoth) words "all," meaning all and "wer," meaning true. The suffixes "ez - oz - iz - es" on the end of Portuguese names generally indicate that the name is of patronymic origin. There is also a place-name Alve which is located in Spain.

Early Origins of the Álves family

The surname Álves was first found in Portugal. Early records of this name in Spain frequently occur with the prefix "de," and there is a reference to one Martin Garcia de Alve recorded in Tolosa in 1346.

Early History of the Álves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Álves research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Álves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Álves Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Alves, Alvez, Alvarez, Alvares and others.

Early Notables of the Álves family

  • Alves of Portugal

Álves Ranking

In the United States, the name Álves is the 3,593rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Álves is ranked the 369th most popular surname with an estimated 11,288 people with that name. 2


Álves migration to the United States +



Álves Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • George Alves, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 3
  • Alice Alves and George Alves, who settled in Virginia in 1700
  • Alice Alves, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 3
Álves Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ludewig Alves, who settled in Texas in 1845
  • Priednch Alves, who landed in Texas in 1845 3
  • Ludewig Alves, aged 37, who landed in Texas in 1845 3
  • Ludwig Alves, who arrived in Galveston, Tex in 1846 aboard the ship "Gesina", he died in 1846 3
  • Mr. Fried Alves, Sr., German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Gesina"
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Álves migration to Canada +

Álves Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Alexander Alves, who arrived in Quebec in 1833

Contemporary Notables of the name Álves (post 1700) +

  • Joana Lopes Alves (1938-2026), Portuguese systems engineer and anti-fascist
  • Lúcia Alves da Silva (1949-2025), Brazilian actress active from 1965-2016
  • Maria do Carmo do Nascimento Alves (1941-2024), Brazilian politician
  • José Carlos Moreira Alves (1933-2023), Brazilian academic and magistrate
  • Garibaldi Alves (1923-2022), Brazilian politician who represented Rio Grande do Norte in the Federal Senate from 2011 to 2014
  • José Alves (1934-2021), nicknamed Zague, a Brazilian footballer
  • Jaime Alves Magalhães (1965-2020), known as Alves, a Portuguese footballer who played as a midfielder
  • Rubem Azevedo Alves (1933-2014), Brazilian theologian, philosopher, educator, writer and psychoanalyst
  • Thiago Alves (b. 1983), Brazilian professional mixed martial arts fighter
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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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