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![Show Contents]() Desouza History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Portugal Spain
This place-name is derived from the Latin word 'salsa,' which means 'salty,' and indicates that the location so named was once known for a salt deposit. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Latin word Saxa, later Sausa, meaning 'rocks'. Early Origins of the Desouza familyThe surname Desouza was first found in northern Portugal, where many take their name from the Sousa River, a tributary of the Douro. Don Egal Gomes de Sousa (1035-?) was an 11th century Lord and the first known bearer of the name. He was Lord of Sousa, Novelas and Felgueiras, and took his name from his estates in the first Lordship. Don Egal was the grandson of King Fernando of Castille and married dona Falmula Gomes, great, great grand-daughter of King Ramiro I. He was governor of the entire region of Entre Douro e MinhoIt and is thought that the line of the Desouza family descends from their noble roots. Early History of the Desouza familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Desouza research. The years 1386, 1500, 1503, 1512, 1555, 1557, 1564, 1579, 1583, 1590, 1594, 1624, 1631, 1632, 1649, 1663, 1666, 1714 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Desouza History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Desouza Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: De Sousa, De Souza, De Sosa, De Soza, Sousa, Souza, Sosa and many more. Early Notables of the Desouza familyProminent members of the family include Tomé de Souza (1503-1579), the first governor of Brazil and founded Salvador, Bahia; and João de Sousa, 3rd Marquis of Minas (1666-1722), the 6th Count of Prado, Portuguese nobleman and member of the Royal Council of War on October 26, 1714.
Cristóvão Falcão (c. 1512 - c. 1557), sometimes Cristóvão Falcão de Sousa or Cristóvão de Sousa Falcão, was a Portuguese poet, that came of a noble family settled at Portalegre in the Alentejo, which had originated with John Falconet, one of the Englishmen who went to Portugal in 1386 in the suite of Philippa of...
Another 149 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Desouza Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Desouza RankingIn the United States, the name Desouza is the 9,581st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Desouza is ranked the 4,915th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2
 Desouza migration to the United States | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Desouza Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Jose Bernando de Souza, aged 36, arrived in New York in 1919 from Havre, France 3
- Antonio de Souza, aged 22, arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Great City" from Portland, England 3
- Manuel de Souza, aged 21, originally from West Indies, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mayaro" from Grenada, British West Indies 3
- Carmen de Souza, aged 18, originally from Port of Spain, T'dad, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Mayaro" from Port of Spain, Trinidad 3
- Edith De Souza, aged 28, originally from Isabellton, Jamaica, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Abangarez" from Kingston, Jamaica 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name Desouza (post 1700) | + |
- Kevin C. Desouza, American Associate Professor at the University of Washington
- Cedric Victor desouza, American artist, art director, writer and musician
- Raul de Souza (1934-2021), Brazilian trombonist, also known as Raulzinho
- Aparecido Donizetti de Souza (b. 1973), known as Donizetti or Doni, a Brazilian footballer
- Wilfred de Souza GCIH, FRCS, FRCSE (1927-2015), Indian surgeon and politician from Goa
- Tony DeSouza (b. 1974), Peruvian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
- Erika Cristina de Souza (b. 1982), Brazilian professional women's basketball player
- Eugenio de Souza, Marquis of Mendía
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Desouza migration to the United States 
