Coelho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ku'eʎu]) is a Portuguese surname of Jewish origin meaning "rabbit". The Coelho’s are a historically known Sephardic Jewish family with connection to the once thriving Jewish communities of Spain and Portugal.[1] The families history bears deep ties to the persecution experienced by Jews during the inquisition in Portugal. Decendants in Portugal and Latin America with the surname Coelho have a likely Jewish origin.[2] Notable people with the surname include: