In the case of this Spanish and Portugese surname BRITE, the name is of topographic origin, being derived from a place so called, where the original bearer of the name held his land. In this instance, Brito is located in Portugal, near the river Ave. The earliest of the name on record appears to be Aires de BRITA, who was recorded circa. 1033. A descendant of his, Suera de BRITA, served King Alfonso VI of Leon. He also restored the monastery at Oliveria. Portugese surnames share many of the features of Spanish surnames, in particular Arabic and Visigothic influence. A notable feature of Portugese surnames is the class of religious names referring to festivals of the church or attributes of the Virgin Mary. One respect in which Portugese names differ from those of the rest of the Iberian peninsular, is that some were adopted at a comparatively late date and honour saints who did not give rise to surnames in other languages. Portugese names typically have the ending 'eiro'. A notable member of the name was Filipe de BRITO, a member of the Order of Christ, for his service and loyalty was named Senor of Seriam. Notable members of the name include Francisco de BRITA (1720-1697) the Portugese historian and admiral. He was Captitan General of Pernambuca and wrote an account of the wars between Holland and Portugal. Farias BRITO (1862-1917) was a noted Brazilian philosopher. In Spain identifying patronymics are to be found as early as the mid-9th century, but these changed with each generation, and hereditary surnames seem to have come in slightly later in Spain than in England and France. As well as the names of the traditional major saints of the Christian Church, many of the most common Spanish surnames are derived from personal name of Germanic origin. For the most part these names are characteristically Hispanic. They derive from the language of the Visigoths, who controlled Spain between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries. The lion depicted in the arms is the noblest of all wild beasts which is made to be the emblem of strength and valour, and is on that account the most frequently borne in Coat-Armour.
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