TheNameDBMendes
PatronymicMeaning
Son of Mendo; a patronymic surname derived from a given name.
Etymology
From the Portuguese and Spanish given name Mendo, with the -es suffix indicating 'son of' in Iberian naming conventions. The surname is particularly associated with Sephardic Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula.
About the Mendes Surname
Mendes is a common Iberian surname with both Christian and Jewish bearers, reflecting the multicultural history of the Iberian Peninsula. The name has spread globally through Portuguese and Spanish emigration.
Distribution
Found throughout Portugal, Spain, and among Sephardic Jewish diaspora communities worldwide.
Notable Bearers
Sam Mendes, David Mendes de Leon