Covais
A surname of possible Spanish or Portuguese origin relating to valleys or hollows.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 240 Americans carry the last name Covais. That puts it at #94,730 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.07 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,428,143 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Covais surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
240
1 in 1,428,143
Census rank
#94,730
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
193
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 193 bearers of the surname Covais in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 94730th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Covais, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Covais
The surname "COVAIS" has its origins in Portugal, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Portuguese word "cova," which means "pit" or "hole," potentially referring to a geographical location or a specific trade or occupation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "COVAIS" can be found in the Livro de Linhagens (Book of Lineages), a medieval Portuguese manuscript that chronicles the lineages of noble families. In this text, dated around 1340, there is a mention of a nobleman named Afonso Covais, who held lands in the region of Beira.
During the 15th century, the surname "COVAIS" appeared in various historical records, such as land deeds and municipal archives, particularly in the northern regions of Portugal. One notable individual from this period was João Covais (c. 1430-1498), a merchant and landowner from the city of Porto.
In the 16th century, the name "COVAIS" gained prominence with the birth of Sebastião Covais (1542-1612), a renowned Portuguese navigator and explorer who participated in several voyages to the Americas and the East Indies. His contributions to maritime exploration during the Age of Discovery helped establish Portugal as a leading maritime power.
Another individual of note was Margarida Covais (c. 1570-1640), a philanthropist and benefactor from Lisbon who founded several charitable institutions, including a hospital and an orphanage. Her legacy has been celebrated for her commitment to social welfare and support for the underprivileged.
As the Portuguese Empire expanded, the surname "COVAIS" also traveled to various colonies and territories. In the 18th century, Tomás Covais (1724-1798) was a prominent landowner and plantation owner in Brazil, where he amassed considerable wealth through the cultivation of sugarcane and coffee.
Throughout the centuries, the "COVAIS" surname has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, trade, and maritime endeavors, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bore this name.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Covais
Among Census respondents with the surname Covais, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Covais bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Covais surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.8%
- Hispanic or Latino3.6%
- Unknown or suppressed1.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Covais surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #96,918 | #94,730 | 2.3% |
| Count | 174 | 193 | 10.9% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.07 | 16.7% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Covais bearers went from 174 to 193 (+10.9% change). The surname moved up 2,188 positions in the national ranking, going from #96,918 to #94,730.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Covais
FAQ
Covais surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Covais?
The surname Covais holds position #94,730 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 240 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.07 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Covais surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Covais, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.8%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.