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DECOSTA Surname Meaning & Heritage Data

12,617th

Most common surname in India

787

People with this surname currently in the iMeUsWe database

History:

The surname DeCosta, like many others in India, tells a story of movement and change. It comes from the Portuguese phrase "da Costa," which means "from the coast." This suggests an initial migration, either forced or voluntary, with the arrival of Portuguese colonizers and traders in India, especially along the western coast, starting in the 15th century.

The adoption and spread of this surname among Indians often happened when people converted to Christianity. Those who converted sometimes took on Portuguese surnames, either to fit in with the new culture or because religious authorities required it. These newly christened DeCostas then moved within India, looking for work or escaping persecution, which spread this surname to different areas.

Later on, people with this surname migrated again, seeking better lives in cities like Mumbai, or even moving abroad to countries such as the UK, Canada, and Australia. This constant movement has led to changes in how the name is pronounced and even spelled, showing the influence of different languages and cultures they encountered.

Description:

The surname DeCosta is found worldwide, but its origins are most strongly linked to areas once colonized by Portugal, such as India. The religion associated with DECOSTA surname is christianity.
In India, DeCosta is a common surname, especially among the Goan Catholic community. Because of this, people with this surname in India speak a variety of languages. English is widely used, particularly in formal settings and education, due to the legacy of British rule. Since Goa was a Portuguese colony, some people may still speak Portuguese. Additionally, many Goans speak Konkani, the state language of Goa.

Here are few notable Indian personalities with the surname and their professions: 1. Armando DeCosta: Musician , 2. Francisco DeCosta: Academic , 3. Remo DeCosta: Businessman , 4. Maria DeCosta: Journalist , 5. Jose DeCosta: Doctor , 6. Savio DeCosta: Architect , 7. Anita DeCosta: Professor , 8. Carlos DeCosta: Engineer , 9. Lina DeCosta: Artist , 10. Pedro DeCosta: Chef.

The surname Da Costa has many variations, including DaCosta, De Costa, DeCosta, Costa, Acosta, Acosto, Costas, Decosta, Dacosta, DCosta, D Costa, Da Costas, De Costas, Acosta, Coste, and Costi.

State-wise distribution of people with DECOSTA surname

from iMeUsWe Database

Maharashtra state distribution for DECOSTA surname

Maharashtra

15

Uttar Pradesh state distribution for DECOSTA surname

Uttar Pradesh

3

West Bengal state distribution for DECOSTA surname

West Bengal

2

Karnataka state distribution for DECOSTA surname

Karnataka

1

Tamil Nadu state distribution for DECOSTA surname

Tamil Nadu

1

Category-wise distribution of people with DECOSTA surname

from iMeUsWe Database

People with the surname DECOSTA appear across 2 types of official government records in iMeUsWe's database — from electoral rolls to agricultural records — showing how widely distributed this surname is across Indian society.

Voters List category for DECOSTA surname

18 (82%)

Voters List

Food Distribution Records category for DECOSTA surname

4 (18%)

Food Distribution Records

Frequently Asked Questions

DECOSTA is classified as a OTHERS-based surname because it is historically associated with .

The DECOSTA surname is primarily associated with the Christian religion.

Maharashtra has the highest concentration of the DECOSTA surname with 15 records (68.2%).

DECOSTA is ranked #12617 in India with approximately 787 people bearing this surname.

The DECOSTA surname is found across 5 states, with the top 3 being Maharashtra (68.2%), Uttar Pradesh (13.6%), West Bengal (9.1%).

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