Carvalho is a Portuguese surname meaning “oak” in Portuguese, possibly originating as a toponymic name for someone who lived near such a tree. The name's etymology may trace back to Celtic roots, from )(s)kerb(h)/karb (“hard, twisted”).DistributionCarvalho is most common in Portugal, Brazil, and Galicia (where it can also appear as Carballo or Carvallo). It is also found in former Portuguese African colonies such as Angola and Mozambique, in the Indian region of Goa and the town of Vasai (north of Mumbai), and among Portuguese diaspora communities in the Americas and Asia-Pacific.Notable BearersThe surname has been borne by many individuals, including:Alice Carvalho, Portuguese actressBeth Carvalho, Brazilian samba singerEleazar de Carvalho, Brazilian conductor and composerJoão de Carvalho, Portuguese footballerJosé Carvalho, Portuguese footballerMaria Carvalho, Portuguese politician Ricardo Carvalho, Portuguese footballerSara Carvalho, Portuguese actressWilliam Carvalho, Portuguese footballerIn Popular CultureThe surname appears in fiction: Mr Joe B. Carvalho is an Indian film comedy (2013), and Pepe Carvalho is a fictional private detective created by Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán.Related NamesRelated surnames include Carballo and Carvallo, common Galician variants, as well as other tree-related surnames such as Pereira (“pear tree”) and Oliveira (“olive tree”).Meaning: OakOrigin: Portuguese, possibly CelticType: Toponymic surnameUsage Regions: Portugal, Brazil, Galicia, former Portuguese colonies, Goa, Portuguese diaspora worldwide