Machado is a

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

of Portuguese origin meaning "axe" or "hatchet", with the surname attested as far back as the 12th century. It is commonly found in Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Hispanic America, the Philippines, India (former Portuguese colony of

Goa Goa (; ; ) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the ...

Mangalore Mangaluru (), formerly called Mangalore ( ), is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about west of Bengaluru, the st ...

, Southern

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

and Southern

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

), as well as former Portuguese colony of

Macao Macau or Macao is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about people and a land area of , it is the most densely populated region in the world. Formerly a Portuguese colony, the ter ...

in China and several former Portuguese territories in Africa. It is also attested among Sephardic Jews, while in Italy, the surname may be associated with Jewish heritage, particularly in

Genova Genoa ( ; ; ) is a city in and the capital of the Italian region of Liguria, and the sixth-largest city in Italy. As of 2025, 563,947 people live within the city's administrative limits. While its metropolitan city has 818,651 inhabitants ...

; Jews are attested in Genova since

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

times, and the surname is one of the most frequent found in documents from Genova's Synagogue. The Machados in India were populated after the conversion of

Paravar Paravar (also known as Bharathar or Bharathakula Kshatriyar) is a predominantly Catholic Tamil maritime community, mainly living in the state of Tamil Nadu, and in Sri Lanka. Historically, they were inhabitants of the ''Neithal'' (coastal) lands ...

race of Tuticorin (District of Tamil Nadu in India) to Catholicism by the Portuguese in the year 1532, a few years after they began trading in India. The word ''machado'' means

axe An axe (; sometimes spelled ax in American English; American and British English spelling differences#Miscellaneous spelling differences, see spelling differences) is an implement that has been used for thousands of years to shape, split, a ...

in Portuguese.

People

Notable people with the surname include:

Arts and entertainment

* Ana Rita Machado (born 1991), Portuguese actress *

Antonio Machado Antonio Cipriano José María y Francisco de Santa Ana Machado y Ruiz (26 July 1875 – 22 February 1939), known as Antonio Machado, was a Spanish poet and one of the leading figures of the Spanish literary movement known as the Generation ...

(1875–1939), Spanish poet *

Carmen Maria Machado Carmen Maria Machado (born July 3, 1986) is an American short story author, essayist, and critic best known for ''Her Body and Other Parties'', a 2017 short story collection, and her memoir '' In the Dream House'', which was published in 2019 and ...

(born 1986), American writer * Celso Machado (born 1953), Brazilian musician and composer * China Machado (1929–2016), fashion model, editor, television producer *

Cristian Machado Cristian Machado (born July 23, 1974) is a Brazilian musician who is the vocalist of the heavy metal band Lions at the Gate. He is also the former vocalist for the nu metal band Ill Niño as well as a featured vocalist in the Roadrunner United ...

(born 1974), Brazilian heavy metal singer *

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (), often known by his surnames as Machado de Assis, ''Machado,'' or ''Bruxo do Cosme Velho''Vainfas, p. 505. (21 June 1839 – 29 September 1908), was a pioneer Brazilian people, Brazilian novelist, poet, playwr ...

(1839–1908), Brazilian writer * Júlia Machado (born 2010), Portuguese-American singer *

Justina Machado Justina Milagros Machado (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress. She began her career playing secondary roles on television and film before starring as Vanessa Diaz in the HBO comedy-drama series, '' Six Feet Under'' (2001–05), for wh ...

(born 1972), American actress * Larissa Machado (born 1993), Brazilian singer-songwriter, actress and dancer * Manuel Machado (1874–1947), Spanish writer * Milo Machado-Graner (born 2008), French author * Rubem Mauro Machado (born 1941), Brazilian writer and translator

Politics

Bernardino Machado Bernardino Luíz Machado Guimarães (March 28, 1851April 29, 1944) was the 3th and 8th president of Portugal, serving from 1915 to 1917 and again from 1925 to 1926. In 1917, Sidónio Pais, who was at the head of a military junta, dissolved Co ...

(1851–1944), Portuguese statesman *

Gerardo Machado Gerardo Machado y Morales (28 September 1869 – 29 March 1939) was a general of the Cuban War of Independence and President of Cuba from 1925 to 1933. Machado was elected president in 1924 as the leader of the Liberal Party, a moderate reform ...

(1869–1939), Cuban independence hero and politician * Gustavo Machado (1898–1983), Venezuelan politician *

Luis Alberto Machado Luis Alberto Machado (21 January 1932 – 23 February 2016) was a Venezuelan lawyer, author, Secretary of the Presidency and Minister of Intellectual Development of Venezuela. He was best known for his ideas about the malleability of intelligence ...

(1932–2016), Venezuelan Minister of Intelligence *

María Corina Machado María Corina Machado Parisca (born 7 October 1967) is a Venezuelan politician and industrial engineer who is currently Venezuelan opposition, opposition leader in Venezuela. She served as an elected member of the National Assembly of Venezuela ...

(born 1967), Venezuelan politician * Joaquim Germano Pinto Machado Correia da Silva, Portuguese Governor of Macau

Sports

* Anderson Machado (born 1981), United States baseball player *

Andrés Machado Andrés Eduardo Machado (born April 22, 1993) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Washi ...

(born 1993), Venezuelan baseball player * Djair Baptista Machado (born 1976), Brazilian footballer *

Félix Machado Félix Machado (born August 22, 1972 in Guyana) is a Venezuelan featherweight boxer. He currently resides in Bolívar, Venezuela. He is a former IBF super flyweight champion, defeating Julio Gamboa on July 22, 2000 for the vacant title. Machad ...

(born 1972), Venezuelan boxer * Grisel Machado (born 1959), retired Cuban athlete * Honorio Machado (born 1982), Venezuelan racing cyclist *

Israel Machado Israel Machado Campelo Andrade (born January 17, 1960, in Salvador), commonly known as Israel Andrade or simply Israel, is a former professional basketball player from Brazil. Professional career During his pro club career, Andrade won 4 Brazi ...

(born 1960), Brazilian basketball player * J. P. Machado (born 1976), American football player * Julio Machado (born 1965), Venezuelan baseball player * Leandro Machado, Brazilian footballer *

Leandro Ruiz Machado Leandro Ruiz Machado (born February 22, 1977, in São Paulo) is a water polo player from Brazil. Nicknamed ''Flipper'' he competed in three consecutive Pan American Games The Pan American Games, known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental ...

(born 1976), Brazilian water polo player *

Manny Machado Manuel Arturo Machado (; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he attende ...

(born 1992), United States baseball player *

Manuela Machado Maria Manuela Machado (born 9 August 1963 in Viana do Castelo) is a former Portuguese long-distance runner, who was particularly successful when running the marathon. Unlike many other marathoners, she did not focus on running lucrative city ma ...

(born 1963), Portuguese long-distance runner * Marcelo Machado (born 1975), Brazilian basketball player *

Octávio Machado Octávio Joaquim Coelho Machado (born 6 May 1949) is a Portuguese former football defensive midfielder and manager. Club career Born in Palmela, Setúbal District, Machado was a leading player for Vitória de Setúbal and FC Porto during the 19 ...

(born 1949), Portuguese footballer and coach *

Paulo Machado Paulo Ricardo Ribeiro de Jesus Machado (born 31 March 1986) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. Formed at Porto, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 103 matches and eight goals over five seasons, i ...

(born 1986), Portuguese footballer *

Rob Machado Robert Edward Machado (born October 16, 1973) is an Australian born American professional surfer. Rob competed on the World Surf League Championship Tour from 1993-2001. Since then he has become a professional free surfer. Early life Macha ...

(born 1973), United States surfer *

Robert Machado Robert Alexis Machado (born June 3, 1973) is a Venezuelan former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1998 through 2004 for the Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Oriol ...

(born 1973), Venezuelan baseball player * Roseli Machado (1968–2021), Brazilian long-distance runner *

Rui Machado Rui Machado (born April 10, 1984) is a Portuguese retired professional tennis player. In October 2011, he achieved a career-high singles world ranking at 59, at the time the highest ranking a Portuguese player had ever held (since surpassed by J ...

(born 1984), Portuguese tennis player *

Scott Machado Michael Scott Machado (born June 8, 1990) is an American-Brazilian professional basketball player for Minas Clube of Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). He played college basketball for the Iona Gaels and represents the Brazilian national team. High ...

(born 1990), basketball player in the

Israeli Basketball Premier League Ligat HaAl (, lit., ''Supreme League or Premier League''), or the Israeli Basketball Premier League, is a professional basketball league in Israel and the highest level of basketball in the country. The league's name is abbreviated as either BSL ...

* Sueli Machado (born 1963), retired Brazilian sprinter *

Teresa Machado Teresa Machado (22 July 1969 – 28 February 2020) was a Portuguese discus thrower and shot putter. Her personal best discus throw was 65.40 metres, achieved in May 1998 in São Jacinto (parish), São Jacinto. Competition record External link ...

(1969–2020), Portuguese Olympic athlete *

Tiago Machado Tiago José Pinto Machado (born 18 October 1985) is a Portuguese former professional road racing cyclist, who rode professionally between 2005 and 2022 for seven different teams. He took three victories during his career – the 2009 Portuguese ...

(born 1985), Portuguese road racing cyclist * Valesca Machado, Brazilian mixed martial artist *''The Machado brothers'', Brazilian jiu-jitsu teachers and competitors **

Rigan Machado Rigan Machado (born 2 July 1966) is a Brazilian-American martial arts instructor. He is an 8th degree red and White belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning his rank under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is a former Pan American Champion (1996, 1997 weight a ...

(born 1966) ** Carlos Machado (born 1963) **

Jean Jacques Machado Jean Jacques Machado (born February 12, 1968) is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu practitioner. He is one of the five Machado brothers ( Carlos, Roger, Rigan and John). Machado is nephew of BJJ co-founder and Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and lear ...

(born 1968) * Willian Machado (born 1996), Brazilian footballer * Ian Machado Garry (Born 1997) Irish Mixed martial artist

Others

Alicia Machado Yoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo (; born December 6, 1976) is a Venezuelan-American actress, TV host, singer and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 1996, she previously crowned Miss Venezuela 1995. She was the fourth woman from Venezuel ...

(born 1976), Venezuelan Miss Universe * Jeff Machado, Brazilian homicide victim *

John Machado The Machado Family (also known as the Machado Brothers) are a family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, mixed martial artists and grapplers. They are the founders of RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are cousins to members of the Gracie f ...

, California art entrepreneur and historian * Mario Machado (1935–2013), television and radio broadcaster and actor * Paulo Sérgio Machado (1945–2024), Brazilian Roman Catholic prelate *

Priscila Machado Priscila Machado (born 4 January 1986) is a Brazilian TV host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Brazil 2011. She represented Brazil in Miss Universe 2011 where she placed 2nd Runner-Up. Personal life Machado was born in ...

(born 1986), Miss Brazil 2011 * Rod Machado (born 1953), United States pilot * Sher Machado (born 1993), Brazilian esports event organizer and streamer *

Tina Machado Tina Marie Machado, formerly Placourakis, (born 1960) is an American actress, businesswoman, former model, athlete and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1985. Hawaii Tina Marie Machado was born in Hawaii in 1960, one of ...

(born 1960), American businesswoman and Miss Hawaii USA 1985 * Peter Machado (born 1954), Archbishop of Archdiocese of

Bangalore Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...

, India

Places

* Machado, Minas Gerais, a city in Brazil *

Machado, California Machado refers to three locations in Los Angeles, California, all named for the rancho-era Machado family. Machado is a name derived from Portuguese, meaning "hatchet", The family may have used a hatchet to mark their lands: An 1855 real esta ...

, a former town in California

References

{{surname, Machado Spanish-language surnames Portuguese-language surnames Surnames of Sephardic origin