How common is the Chaves surname?

There are approximately 500,000 people with the surname Chaves in the United States.

Are there Chaves soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 192 soldiers with the Chaves surname appear in Civil War records.

Chaves

Q: What does the surname Chaves mean?

The surname Chaves means "Derived from the Spanish/Portuguese word 'chaves', meaning 'keys', likely indicating a keeper of keys or someone of authority.". It is of Spanish/Portuguese origin.

Occupational

Meaning

Derived from the Spanish/Portuguese word 'chaves', meaning 'keys', likely indicating a keeper of keys or someone of authority.

Etymology

The surname originates from the Latin 'clavis', meaning 'key', which evolved into Spanish and Portuguese 'chaves'. It may have originally indicated someone who held keys to a castle, church, or other important building.

About the Chaves Surname

Chaves is a Spanish and Portuguese surname derived from the word for 'keys', indicating an occupational origin. It is particularly common in Latin America and among Hispanic populations.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 500,000 bearers in the United States #143 most common surname

Rare Common

Common in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, with significant presence in the southwestern United States.

Chaves Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Chaves Surname

Jose Chaves

Quick Facts

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Classification: Occupational
Earliest Record: Medieval Spain/Portugal
Estimated Bearers: 500,000

War Records

192 soldiers with the Chaves surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →