100 Common Last Names: With Origins and Meanings

Adams

Adams derives from the given name Adam, which derives from the Latin “adamus,” meaning “ earth.” Adams is also connected to the Greek legend of Zeus, who fashioned the first human beings from Earth.

Allen

Allen derives from the Irish and Scottish “Ailin,” meaning “little rock, harmony,” but also derives from the Celtic “Aluinn,” meaning “handsome.” Another origin is from the Middle English and Old French personal name Alain or Alein. In England, the personal name is now usually spelled Alan, and the surname as Allen.

Anderson

Anderson is a patronymic “A” surname derived from the Greek “andreas,” meaning “man, manly.” The earliest British mention of any name connected with Andrew or Anderson is in the 1086 Domesday Book, where Andreas is mentioned. In Sweden, Anderson is lengthened to Andersson, which combines the words “Anders” and “son.”

Baker

Baker is an occupational “B” surname derived from the Old English word “baecere,” a derivation of “bacan,” meaning “to dry with heat.” There is no coat of arms for the Baker surname, as coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families.

Barnes

Barnes stems from the Old English “beorn,” meaning “warrior,” which is, in turn, of Old Norse origin. Barnes is also an occupational surname for someone who worked in a barn. A third origin of the Barnes surname relates to the Gaelic word “bearn,” meaning “gap.”

Bell

Bell derives from the French “bel,” meaning “fair, beautiful, handsome,” or from the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Mhaoil. Bell in Scottish history began as knights in Northern France who fought in the Norman conquest, the Crusades, and more. Bells were embedded in the Knights Templar and fought for Scottish independence.

Bennet

Bennet is associated with St Benedict, derived from the Latin “Benedictus,” meaning “blessed.” The Bennet clan stems from the Roxburghshire area on the Scottish-English border. The Bennett clan still wears the Roxburghshire tartan and has maintained ties with Roxburghshire.

Brown

Brown refers to the color of an individual’s complexion, hair color, or frequently worn garments. Brown is also a translation of the Gaelic “donn,” which means “brown.” The Brown Clan’s motto translates to “Let majesty flourish.”

Chavez

Chavez is the Spanish derivation of the Portuguese surname Chaves derived from the Spanish “laves” and Latin “clavis.” Chavez originated as an occupational surname given to someone who made keys for a living. Chavez is also prevalent in Peru among its Chinese community and is an adaptation of a Chinese surname meaning “plum.”

Campbell

Campbell derives from the Scots Gaelic “Caimbeul,” composed of the Gaelic “cam,” meaning “crooked,” and “beul,” meaning “mouth.” Campbell also stems from the Irish Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning “son of the battle chieftain.” Campbell is historically one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans.

Carter

Carter is derived from the Anglo-Norman French “caretier” from the Old French “caret,” which originally meant “carrier.” Carter is an occupational name given to one who transports goods by cart or wagon from place to place.

Clark

Clark is an English surname derived from the Latin “clericus,” meaning “scribe, secretary, scholar, or penman.” Clark evolved as a proper surname from the 15th-century. Clark and Clerk are recognized as septs, or as divisions of the Cameron and MacPherson clans, and the clan motto is “Sure and Steadfast.”

Cook

Cook is an Old English occupational surname derived from the Old English “coc” and Latin “cocus,” meaning “cook.” MacCook was a branch of the Scottish Clan MacDonald of Kintyre. Their coat of arms was designed for Captain James Cook, featuring a globe showing the Pacific Ocean.

Cox

Cox stems from its first bearer, who resembled a rooster and was given to early risers and those who strutted proudly. Cox may be a topographical name from the Old English “cock” meaning “heap” or “hill.” Coc may have also originated from the Welsh “coch,” meaning “red.”

Cruz

Cruz is a habitational name for someone who lived by a cross or crossroad, derived from the Latin “crux,” meaning “cross.” Cruz is spread throughout the territories of the former Spanish and Portuguese Empires.

Davis

Davis may be a variation of Davy or a reference to King David in the Old Testament. Davis first emerged as a “D” surname in the early 14th-century, where Davys was initially the more common spelling.

Dias

Dias or Diaz stems from the Latin “dies,” meaning “days.” Diaz is believed to have Jewish origins that predate the Hispanic world. Dias is also related to the Spanish patronymic surname Diego.

Edwards

Edwards derives from the Old English “Eadward,” composed of the elements “ead,” meaning “prosperity, fortune,” and “w(e)ard,” meaning “guard.” The popularity of the given name Edward and surname Edwards relates to Edward the Confessor, an early Patron Saint of England.

Foster

• Origin: English, Scottish
• Meaning: One who keeps the forest
• Pronunciation: FAWS-tar
• Variations: Forster, Forrest, Forest Forester, Forrester
• Namesakes: Adrianna Foster, a prominent Mexican singer of soul, jazz, and pop, known as the Voice of Mexico.
• Popularity: Foster is a common surname in the U.S. and other Western countries.
• Description: Foster is an occupational surname beginning with F, which is derived from “forester,” which refers to a forest warden. Foster is also believed to derive from the Old English “Forseter,” meaning “shearer.” The Scottish Foster clan adopted the name from their ancient role as guardians of the royal forest around Edinburgh.

Gonzalez

Gonzalez derives from a Visigothic name combining the words “guntho,” meaning “battle, war,” and “alf,” meaning “elf.” The given name Gonzalo stems from the medieval Gundisalvus, a Latin form of a Germanic name composed of “gund, meaning “war, battle,” and “salv,” of unknown meaning.

Gray

Gray is believed to relate to the complexion of the hair or clothing but is considered a habitational surname. Gray stems from the Duke of Normandy, France, who was granted the castle and lands of Croy (Gray) in Picardy. He subsequently adopted Gray as his surname. Another Norman possibility is from a placename called Graye in Calvados from the personal name Gratus, meaning “welcome, pleasing.”

Green

Green is believed to have geographical origins and refers to someone who lived near or at a village green or grassy area. Green stems from the Middle and Old English word “grene,” which has the same root as “grass” and “grow.” The surname Green is mostly spelled in Ireland with an “e” as Greene.

Hall

Hall derives from the Old English “heall” and the High German “halla.” Hall was basically borne by someone who lived near a manor or was employed at a hall or manor. The Hall family motto translates to “Through difficulties to Heaven.”

Hayes

Hayes is said to derive from the Irish mythological god Aodh meaning “fire.” Hayes is also an English or Scottish place name for a man who lived near an enclosure fenced off for hunting called a “haeg” or “heye.” Hayes may have derived from the Old English “haes” or the old French “heis,” both meaning “brushwood.” The Hayes family motto translates to “Fortune favors the bold.”

Hill

Hill derives from the Old English “hyll” and is a topographic surname given to someone who lives on or near a hill. Hill could also be a corruption of the German “hild,” meaning “battle.” “Beinn, bheinn, ben, ven,” and “vain” are Scottish generic names for hills.

Howard

Howard derives from the Germanic term “howart,” meaning “high chief, warden.” Howard could also stem from the Anglo-Scandinavian” Haward,” which derives from the Norse elements “ha” and “varor,” meaning “high guardian.”

Hughes

Hughes is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Hugh.” Hugh is of Germanic origin, meaning “heart, mind.” In Wales and other parts of Britain, Hughes is said to derive from the given name “Hu” or “Huw,” meaning “fire, inspiration.”

Jenkins

Jenkins is a variant of Jenkin, commonly found in Cornish and English ancestry. Jenkins translates to “little John” or “John the little” and relates to a small stature. The earliest records of Jenkins can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Jones

Jones is Celtic Welsh and became known following the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Jones family motto translates to “Without God, without anything.”

King

King stems from the Old English “cyning,” meaning “tribal leader.” The nickname King was usually given to a man who carried himself like royalty. King is of Celtic origin, is common throughout the U.K., and is found in many medieval manuscripts.

Lee

Lee has several different roots. Lee is mostly seen as an Asian name meaning “plum tree” in Chinese and was the royal surname during the Tang dynasty. Lee is also said to derive from the Old English word “leah,” meaning “forest clearing or meadow.” Lee could also be a modern form of the ancient Irish name “O’Liathain.”

Lewis

Lewis is derived from the Germanic given name Lewis, Lowis, or Lodovicus. In Wales, Lewis may have derived from an Anglicized form of the given name Llywelyn. Lewis could also be an Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Lughaidh, derived from “Lugh,” meaning “brightness.”

Long

Long derives from the Old English “lang” and Old French “long,” which was often given as a nickname for a tall, lanky man. Long may have derived from the Gaelic name O’Longain, meaning “descendant of Longan” The French influence occurred after the Anglo-Norman conquest in 1066 AD.

Lopez

Lopez began as a patronymic surname starting with L, meaning “son of Lope.” Interestingly, the Spanish given name Lope is derived from the Latin “lupus,” meaning “wolf.”

Martinez

Martinez is a patronymic “M” surname derived from the given name Martin, which stems from the Latin Martinus. Martinus is a derivative of “Mars,” the Roman god of fertility and war.

Miller

Miller began as an occupational surname, referring to someone who owned or worked in a grain mill. Miller could have derived from the Gaelic words “meillear,” meaning “having large lips,” or “maillor,” a man wearing armor or a soldier. The Miller clan motto translates to “This I’ll defend.”

Moore

The Irish Moore surname stems from Conal Cearnach, one of the Chieftains of the Knights of the Red Branch. From Gaelic origin, Moore is derived from O’Mordha, meaning “noble or stately.” The English relate Moore to the Old English “mor,” meaning “moor, marsh, fen.”

Morales

Morales is a typical topographical surname given to someone living near a mulberry or blackberry bush. Morales is also a common yet ancient patronymic surname.

Morgan

Morgan derives from the Old Welsh, given name Morcant. Morgan is among the oldest and most common Welsh surnames. The Scottish Morgan is linked to the McKay clan, whose motto is “Onward and Upward.”

Murphy

Murphy derives from the ancient Irish name O’Murchadha, meaning “descendant of the sea warrior, strong, superior.” Murphy includes the Gaelic “muir,” meaning “sea.” The Murphy family motto translates to “Brave and hospitable” and “Victory or death.”

Myers

Myers is derived from the German word “steward” or “bailiff.” Myers is an English patronymic surname meaning “son of the mayor,” derived from the Old English “maire” meaning “mayor.” Myers may have also derived from the Old French “mire,” meaning “physician.”

Perez

Perez is a typical Castilian Spanish surname also common among people of Sephardic Jewish descent. Perez is the fourth most common surname in Israel that is not of Hebrew origin.

Perry

Perry is an English topographic surname for someone who owned or lived near a pear tree, while Parry is of Welsh origin. Perry is an Old English surname derived from the Latin “pirum,” meaning “pear.”

Peterson

Peterson is a Scandinavian patronymic surname derived from the Greek “petros,” meaning “rock.” Peterson is said to be an ancient Scottish name derived from Peter, which transformed into a patronymic surname.

Phillips

Phillips is a patronymic surname from Phillip, meaning “lover of horses.” Clan Phillips is a Scottish clan with an extensive history from the 13th-century. The Phillips clan played a monumental role in the development of Scotland.

Powell

Powell is a patronymic “P” surname derived from the Welsh name Hywel, later Anglicized as Howell. The Powell surname originated from the Welsh “Ap Howell,” meaning “son of Howell.”

Price

Price is a patronymic surname derived from the Welsh “Ap Rhys,” meaning “son of Rhys.” The Price family motto means “Life is short, glory eternal.” Price was originally spelled “Pryce” but was changed to make the name appear more English and thus more prestigious.

Ramos

Ramos is a habitational name for people who resided in the Spanish and Portuguese towns called Ramos. Ramos could also be a topographic name for someone who lived in a thickly wooded area. Ramos derives from the Latin “ramus,” meaning “branch.”

Reed

Reed is derived from the Old English word “read,” meaning “red,” which is usually used as a nickname for someone with red hair. Reed could also be a topographical surname for someone who lived in a clearing derived from the Old English “ried, ryd.”

Richardson

Richardson derives from Richard, a Germanic name meaning “powerful and brave.” In Scotland, Richardson belongs to the Buchanan or the Ogilvie clan, which dates back to the 13th-century.

Rivera

Rivera stems from the Late Latin “riparia,” meaning “bank, shore.” The Spanish word for “riverbank” is “rebera.” Rivera may also be a habitational name for someone from any place named Rivera, meaning “of a river” in English.

Roberts

Roberts stems from the Welsh given name Robert. Robert is of Germanic origin and composed of the elements “hrod,” meaning “fame,” and “beraht,” meaning “bright.” Although Germanic, it was the Normans who historically introduced Roberts to Britain.

Rodriguez

Rodriguez derives from the ancient Germanic name Roderick meaning “famous power.” Rodriguez stems from the Visigoths who invaded Spain in the 400s and left the original Germanic name Hrodric. Rodriguez is a patronymic surname where the “ez” refers to “descendant of.”

Rogers

Rogers is a knightly name of Anglo-Saxon descent that spread to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Rogers is said to derive from the Germanic given name Roger meaning “famous spearman.” Rogers, in turn, originated from the Latin Rogerus and Rogeri. The Rogers family motto translates to “We and ours to God.”

Sanchez

Sanchez is a patronymic surname derived from the medieval given name “Sancho,” meaning “sanctified.” Sanchez stems from the Latin name Sanctius, a derivative of “sanctus.” Sanches is the Portuguese variation of Sanchez.

Sanders

Sanders is a medieval form of the Greek Alexander, meaning “defender of men.” Sanders may have derived from Xander, the shortened form of Alexander. The first record of the surname Sanders was found in 1606 in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Scott

Scott is an ethnic or geographical name for someone from Scotland who speaks Gaelic. Scott is said to have derived from the Old English “scotti,” a generic name the Romans used for the Gaelic raiders from Ireland.

Simmons

Simmons is an English patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew Shimon, which became Simeon and Simon in the Holy Bible. Simmons may also be derived from “Simund” from the Old Norse “sig,” meaning “victory,” and “mundr” meaning “protection.”

Smith

Smith derives from the Old English “Smid,” which is a derivative of “smitan,” meaning “strike, hammer.” Smith was an occupational name for a metal worker, particularly iron, such as a blacksmith or farrier.

Thompson

Thompson is an ancient Celtic patronymic surname. Without the “p,” Thomson is considered a Scottish surname. Thompson is also related to the ancient Gaelic name “MacTamhais.”

Torrez

Torrez is a habitational surname given to people who resided near a tower or from a place named Torrez. Torrez derives from the Latin “turris,” meaning “tower.”

Turner

Turner is an occupational name for working with wood or metal on a lathe. Turner derives from the Old French “tornier” and Latin Tornarius, meaning “lathe.” Turner could also be an occupational name for a guard in a tower, from the Germanic “turn,” meaning “tower.” The Turner coat of arms represents loyalty and truth.

Ward

Ward derives from the Old English “warde” or “wearde,” meaning “watch, guard.” Ward is an occupational name but can also be a geographical “W” surname for someone who lives near a guardhouse or fortress.

Washington

Washington originated as an English place derived from the Old English personal name “wassa,” which means “hunting.” Washington means “from the intelligent one’s farm” and “from the town of Wassa’s people.”

Watson

Watson is a patronymic surname related to Walter or Watts. The Middle English given names Wat and Watt were nicknames for Walter, meaning “powerful ruler” or “ruler of the army.”

White

White is a descriptive name for someone with light hair, clothing, or fair skin. White can also be an Anglicization of the Gaelic MacGillebhain, meaning “son of the fair Gilli.” White derives from the Middle English “whit,” meaning “white.” The original name was Wights, from the Anglo-Saxon “with” meaning “valiant.”

Williams

Williams is a patronymic surname derived from the given name William, which stems from the Old German “Willihelm.” The French form of William is Guillaume.

Wilson

Wilson is a medieval patronymic surname meaning “son of Will,” a widely used nickname for William. Will may have derived from the Germanic element “wil,” meaning “desire,” which is common in many German names.

Wood

Wood is derived from the Middle English “wode,” meaning “wood,” used for a person who lived or worked in a forest. Wood was also an ancient Scottish surname, first called De Bosco, as trees were in their coat of arms.

Young

Young derived from the Middle English “yunge” or “yonge,” meaning “young.” This was a descriptive name for the younger of two relatives with the same first name, much like “junior.”