What is goncalves surname origin?

The surname Goncalves is of Portuguese origin and is derived from the given name Goncalo, which means "protection of the country" or "worthy protector" in Old German. The name was likely brought to Portugal by the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe that ruled over much of Europe in the 5th and 6th centuries. The surname is most common in Portugal, Brazil, and other former Portuguese colonies. Some famous people with the surname Goncalves include Portuguese footballer Goncalo Guedes and Brazilian singer and songwriter Vanessa da Mata Goncalves.