What does the surname Mendes mean?

The surname Mendes means "Son of Mendo; a patronymic surname derived from a given name.". It is of Portuguese, Spanish, Jewish origin.

How common is the Mendes surname?

There are approximately 300,000 people with the surname Mendes in the United States.

Are there Mendes soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 18 soldiers with the Mendes surname appear in Civil War records.

Mendes

Patronymic

Meaning

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 & Frequency

Estimated 300,000 bearers in the United States #218 most common surname

Rare Common

Found throughout Portugal, Spain, and among Sephardic Jewish diaspora communities worldwide.

Mendes Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Mendes Surname

Benjamin Mendes

Lieutenant

Quick Facts

Origin: Portuguese, Spanish, Jewish
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: Medieval Iberia, 12th-13th century
Estimated Bearers: 300,000

War Records

18 soldiers with the Mendes surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →