Machado is a surname of Portuguese origin meaning "axe"[1] or "hatchet", with the surname attested as far back as the 2nd century. It is commonly found in Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Hispanic America, the Philippines, India (former Portuguese colony of Goa, Mangalore, Southern Tamil Nadu and Southern Kerala), as well as former Portuguese colony of Macao in China and several former Portuguese territories in Africa. It is also attested among Sephardic Jews, while in Italy, the surname may be associated with Jewish heritage, particularly in Genova;[2] Jews are attested in Genova since Roman times, and the surname is one of the most frequent found in documents from Genova's Synagogue. The Machados in India were populated after the conversion of Paravar race of Tuticorin (District of Tamil Nadu in India) to Catholicism by the Portuguese in the year 1532, a few years after they began trading in India.

Coat of arms
Machado family coat of arms (Portuguese)

The word machado means axe in Portuguese.

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Notable people with the surname include:

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  1. ^ Dictionary – "Significado de machado - Dicionário Web". Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  2. ^ "Genova (Genoa) Jewish Genealogy: censuses of 17th and 18th centuries – Births,Matrimonies, Deaths, Registers of proprerty".