Alves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Portugal
Spain

The mountainous borders of Spain contain the origins of the prestigious surname Alves. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Spain were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Spanish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and the most common patronymic suffix is ez. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. Some names are derived from the saints of the Christian Church, but many Spanish surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. The Visigoths, who ruled Spain between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries had a profound impact on the development of surnames. The name Alves is derived from the baptismal name Alvaro. The surname originally referred to one who was faithful and honest.

Early Origins of the Alves family

The surname Alves was first found in Castile, where the name originated in Visigothic times.

Early History of the Alves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alves research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1101, 1662 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Alves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alves Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Alvarez, Albaraz, Alvaroz, Albaroiz, Alvariz, Alvares, Alvar and many more.

Early Notables of the Alves family

Prominent among members of the family were Pedro and Garcia Alvarez, knights in the service of King Alfonso VI in 1101; Alfonso Alvarez de Villasandino and Juan Alvarez Gato, fifteenth century poets; Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, who fought for Ferdinand and Isabella during the conquest of Granada; Hernando Alvarez de Toledo, Notary to Ferdinand and Isabella...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alves Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alves Ranking

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

Alves migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alves 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

Alves Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Priednch Alves, who landed in Texas in 1845 3
Ludewig Alves, who settled in Texas in 1845
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.)

Alves migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alves Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alexander Alves, who arrived in Quebec in 1833

Contemporary Notables of the name Alves (post 1700) +

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
Major Vitor Alves, one of a committee of three who were responsible for the bloodless coup of April 1974, that ended the totalitarian regime instituted by Salazar in Portugal
Afonso Alves (b. 1981), Brazilian professional footballer
Diego Alves (b. 1985), Brazilian footballer
Tiago Alves Fraga (b. 1981), sometimes known as just Tiago, a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as attacking midfielder for CRAC

The Alves Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Veritas vincit
Motto Translation: Truth Conquers.

Citations +

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