Surname Mello - Meaning and Origin
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Mello: What does the surname Mello mean?
The surname Mello is of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is a habitational name, coming from any of the several places in Portugal named Mello. The term itself is derived from the Latin word "mel" meaning "honey" and was likely used to describe someone from a place where honey was produced or a rather 'sweet' individual. Since surnames often served as identifiers in ancient times, it may also suggest that the original bearers of the Mello name were known for their good-natured or 'mellow' temperament. The Mello surname is widely spread in countries where Portuguese and Spanish are spoken, including Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and regions of the United States with a high concentration of people from these ethnic groups. It is important to note that the meaning of a surname can also vary between cultures and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisMello: Where does the name Mello come from?
The surname Mello primarily originates from Portugal and is derived from the Portuguese word "melo," meaning "quince." It generally indicated people who lived in or near a place where quince trees grew in abundance. The surname also has a connection with a place named Mello in France, suggesting it's common among the people with French origin as well. Mello is a patronymic surname, which is derived from the name of a father or ancestor.
Today, the surname Mello remains common in Portugal and Brazil due to historical Portuguese colonization. It is also found in other parts of the world due to global migration, including countries like the United States, Canada, France, and others. Quite often, variances in spelling, such as Mello, Melo, or De Mello, can be found across different regions.
Variations of the surname Mello
The surname Mello has variations in spelling based on different geographical locations and language variations. These can include Mellow, Melo, de Melo, de Mello, di Mello, D'Mello, Mellos, Meloe, Mellows, Mellot, Melot, Melotte, Meloon, and Mellos. The variant "de Mello" or "de Melo" implies "of Mello/Melo," often used in Portuguese-speaking countries. It has also been adapted into different languages, leading to versions like Di Mello in Italian.
"Melo" is another common variant of this surname, mostly found in Portugal and Brazil. The French version of the name can be found as Mellot, Melot or Melotte. In the United States and England, the surname can sometimes be spelled Mellow or Mellows.
The surname can also be found in combination forms like in D'Mello (mostly in Anglo-Indian communities), or other surnames of the same origin but somewhat changed over generations or due to migration, such as Meloon.
It's worth noting that the variations in the spelling of the surname could have developed due to factors such as regional accents and dialects, individual's literacy levels at the time of record-keeping, and translation between different languages.
Famous people with the name Mello
- Randy Mello: an American voice actor who has lent his voice to dozens of characters in video games and animated films.
- Meghan Trainor: an American singer, songwriter, and record producer responsible for popular hits such as “All About That Bass” and “Dear Future Husband”.
- Diogo Mello: a Brazilian actor, best known for his roles as Pedro in “Malhação” and as Ramon in “Chocolate com Pimenta”.
- Neymar da Silva Santos Junior: a Brazilian professional soccer player widely renowned for his offensive abilities and long-distance strikes on goal.
- Chris Mello: an American TV personality known for hosting the documentary series “Dark Side of the Sun” on the Discovery Channel.
- George Mello: a professional Portuguese football player who has donned both the jerseys of S.L. Benfica and S.C. Braga.
- Lanay Mello: an American model who is best recognized for her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
- Marc Mello: an American soccer player who made almost 150 appearances for various teams in Major League Soccer.
- Maria Mello: Brazilian actress and director who has won numerous awards for her work in independent films.
- Thiago Mello: a Brazilian actor, singer, and songwriter whose work has earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards.