Hello Violante's of the World...
I am also called Violante.
In my case, my surname comes from my mother side. Her father's last name was Violante.
My grandfather was born around 1885 in the north of Portugal, Vila Real, Trás-os-Montes. I do not know exactly where my great grandfather was born, but I am trying to find out...
I also know that some of my great grandfather's relatives went to Brazil in the middle of the 1800's.
I have searched a bit about the surname Violante and I have found this last name in Chile, Argentina, Mexico, France, Italy and in a lot of States in the USA.
You will be able to find also the last name Violante in a lot of the Jewish Cemetery's which makes me believe that the origin of this last name may very well be from the Jewish community took refuge all over Europe and often changed their last name not to be recognized as Jewish.
I really would like to find out more about the origin of my grandfather’s name.
I am just sorry to see the surname Violante ending in my family… This is what happens when there are a lot more women being born then men!
Regards
Maria José Violante Linhares Dias