Meaning & History
Capela is a Portuguese surname that is a form of Kappel, which originally denoted a person who lived near or worked at a chapel. The ultimate origin of the name lies in the Late Latin word cappella, a diminutive of cappa (cape), stemming from the relic of the torn cape of Saint Martin, which was kept in small churches. This etymology connects the surname to religious or ecclesiastical settings.
The name Capela is specifically Portuguese in usage, and it is most common in Portugal and Brazil. According to surname distribution data, it is particularly frequent in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, reflecting Portuguese immigration patterns to those regions.
The root of the name is Martin (from the Roman name Martinus, derived from Martis, the genitive of Mars). The popularity of the name Martin, and consequently its derived surnames, was greatly influenced by Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop known for sharing his cloak with a beggar. This association with chapels (where the saint's cloak was venerated) explains why many surnames for chapel-dwellers or chapel-keepers, such as Capela, trace back to Martin.
Related surnames in other languages include Catalan Capella, German Kappel, French Chaplin and Lachapelle, and Spanish Capilla. These all derive from the same chapel-related root.
Notable Bearers
- Georgemar Bezerra Capela (born 1970), Paraguayan football manager and former player
- Miguel van Damme de Capela (born 1971), Portuguese businessman
Key Facts
- Meaning: Live near or worked at a chapel
- Origincappella (chapel)
- Type: Surname
- Usage regions: Portugal, Brazil
Related Names
Sources: Forebears — capela