About the Cardozo Surname

The spelling Cardozo grew out of Cardoso, a Portuguese surname with a long paper trail. Its meaning, shared with Cardoso, is “thistly place”.

How the spelling arose

Spelled with “z” instead of “s”, Cardozo shows how the same name was heard and written differently. Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. You may also find the name written Cardosa.

Family crest and blazon

Arms linked to Cardoso and its spellings were granted to individual families; our heraldry team traces which line they belonged to.

For the full story, order the Cardozo surname pack.