200 Delightful Last Names That Start With D: With Meanings

Curious about last names that start with D? You have come to the right place.

We collected gorgeous surnames starting with D from around the globe to help your search. These options offer unique origins, distinct meanings, and fascinating family histories.

Whether you are exploring your family’s genealogy or simply love the stories behind names, join us on a journey through this rich tapestry of surnames.

33 Common Last Names That Start With D

Here are recognizable last names starting with D you have likely seen before.

1. Dale: This Old English surname means “valley” and indicates residence near one.
2. Dalton: Derived from a place name, this Old English moniker translates to “valley town.”
3. Daniels: A common English surname meaning “son of Daniel” that sees wide use in the United States.
4. Davenport: Meaning “market town,” this distinctive name often connects to English aristocracy.
5. Davidson: This classic English surname means “son of David” and is shared by comedian Pete Davidson.
6. Davis: One of the most prevalent surnames in the US, this English name means “son of David.”
7. Dawson: Meaning “son of Daw,” this serves as both a cool surname and a given name for boys.
8. Day: Originally a diminutive of David, this sunny name is also associated with daylight.
9. Dean: This name comes from the Middle English “dene” (valley) and is associated with actor James Dean.
10. De Jong: Widely used in the Netherlands, this Dutch surname translates to “young.”
11. De Leon: This Spanish moniker suggests familial origins in the Leon region of Spain.
12. Dell: A somewhat common English surname referencing a “small valley” or “glen.”
13. Dennis: Derived from a given name, this refers to Dionysos, the Greek god of wine.
14. Dermody: A common surname in Ireland, this means “descendant of Diarmaid.”
15. Devi: Meaning “goddess” in Sanskrit, this is commonly used by Indian women without a specific family name.
16. Dexter: Popular in English-speaking countries, this occupational name means “skilled” or “dyer.”
17. Diaz: This Spanish surname means “son of Diego” and is very common across Latin America.
18. Dickinson: An English surname meaning “son of Dicun,” famously borne by poet Emily Dickinson.
19. Dixon: Meaning “son of Dick,” this patronymic name is prevalent in English-speaking regions.
20. Dobbs: Derived from the medieval name Dobbe, this is an English diminutive of Robert.
21. Dobson: An English surname meaning “son of Robert,” with Robert translating to “bright fame.”
22. Dominguez: Prevalent in Spain and Latin America, this Spanish name means “son of Domingo.”
23. Donaghue: This name derives from the Irish personal name Donnchadh, meaning “brown warrior.”
24. Donalds: A powerful choice for a future leader, this Scottish name means “ruler of the world.”
25. Donnelly: Meaning “brown valor” in Irish, this links to descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
26. Donovan: Derived from Old Irish words for “brown” and “dark,” this translates to “dark brown.”
27. Douglas: Meaning “dark river” or “black stream,” this name has links to Scottish nobility.
28. Downs: In Old English, this topographic name means “hill” and indicates someone’s residence.
29. Doyle: A mysterious choice among D last names, this Irish option means “dark stranger.”
30. Duane: This Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Dubháin translates to “little dark one.”
31. Duncan: Borne by two Scottish kings, this Gaelic surname means “brown battle.”
32. Dunn: Meaning “brown” in Irish, this was originally a descriptive name for those with dark hair.
33. Duran: This surname comes from the given name Durand in Catalan and southern French regions.

99 Unique Last Names Starting With D

Discover these rare surnames starting with D that feature fascinating meanings.

1. Dabblestone: This uncommon, whimsical surname combines two English words for a unique sound.
2. Dagostino: An Italian family name initially given to a “son of Agostino.”
3. Dalgaard: This name derives from the Old Norse words for “valley” and “farmstead.”
4. Dalmat: A Croatian surname associated with the Dalmatian coast, suggesting regional heritage.
5. Dam: Short and punchy, this Dutch and Danish surname means “dike” or “dam.”
6. Dane: This geographic name indicates a person of Danish origin or nationality.
7. Danzig: A Jewish surname linked to Gdańsk, Poland, initially acquired by local merchants.
8. D’Aramitz: This French surname references someone from the commune of Aramits.
9. Darrell: Derived from Norman French, this originally denoted a person from Airelle in France.
10. Darzi: In Persian, this occupational surname means “tailor.”
11. Das: This Sanskrit surname means “servant” or “devotee,” signifying a religious connection.
12. Daubney: This name draws inspiration from various towns in France called Aubigny.
13. Debenham: Originally for people from Debenham in Suffolk, this derives from the River Deben.
14. Dedrick: From the name Dederick, an older form of Derek, this means “ruler of the people.”
15. DeGarmo: The Americanized form of French “de Garmeaux,” this likely links to a place in Normandy.
16. De Haan: This Dutch surname meaning “rooster” likely originated as a nickname.
17. Dekker: Meaning “roofer” or “thatcher” in Dutch, this reflects a family’s occupational history.
18. Delfino: An Italian word for “dolphin,” this symbolizes intelligence and a love for the sea.
19. Dellenbach: In German, this nature-inspired name means “deep stream.”
20. Demirci: A strong option among surnames starting with D, this means “blacksmith” in Turkish.
21. Demirtas: In Turkish, this strong name derives from words meaning “iron” and “stone.”
22. Dempster: From the Scottish word for “judge,” this indicates historical ties to legal roles.
23. Denali: From the Native Alaskan language Koyukon, this means “the great one.”
24. Denholm: Of English origin, this quiet name means “valley island.”
25. Dennard: Derived from Old English, this name combines words for “valley” and “river-crossing.”
26. Denton: This lovely English pick originally referenced people who settled in valleys.
27. Denzil: Inspired by Denzell, Cornwall, this name has an uncertain meaning and an air of mystery.
28. De Rege: An Italian variant of Rey, this means “king” and offers a regal flair.
29. Derrickson: Meaning “son of Derrick,” this emphasizes familial lineage.
30. De Santis: This is the Italian form of Santo, meaning “saint” in Spanish and Portuguese.
31. De Smet: A Flemish variant of Smit, this occupational name means “metalworker.”
32. De Snaijer: This Dutch form of Snyder means “tailor,” referencing the occupation.
33. Dessler: A modern surname linked to the character Michelle Dessler from the show 24.
34. De Veen: The Dutch form of Van der Veen, this translates to “from the swamp.”
35. Devlin: From the Irish family name Ó Doibhilin, this means “unlucky” or “descendant of Doibhlin.”
36. De Vos: Meaning “fox” in Dutch, this derives from the Middle Low German surname Voss.
37. Devos: This is the Flemish form of Vos, also meaning “fox.”
38. De Vries: Meaning “the Frisian” in Dutch, this indicates a connection to Friesland.
39. De Witte: In Dutch, this means “the white” and was likely a nickname for someone with white hair.
40. Di Antonio: Meaning “son of Antonio” in Italian, this suggests strong paternal lineage.
41. Dickens: A diminutive of Dick, this is associated with renowned writer Charles Dickens.
42. Dickerson: A powerful choice among last names, this means “brave ruler” in German.
43. Dickman: This Old English surname indicates a ditch digger.
44. Diefenbach: In German, this unique surname translates to “deep creek.”
45. Dierickx: A Flemish option among last names starting with D, this means “son of Dirk.”
46. Dimaggio: In Italy, this was originally a name for a child born in the month of May.
47. Di Martino: This classic Italian surname derives from the given name Martino.
48. Dimov: A Bulgarian surname meaning “son of Dimo,” indicating paternal lineage.
49. Dinsmoor: From Scotland, this means “hill fortress” and suggests strategic locations.
50. Di Pasqua: Meaning “of Easter” in Italian, this indicates a connection to the holiday.
51. Disney: Originating from Isigny, France, this name is famously borne by Walt Disney.
52. Dobashi: This unique Japanese surname translates to “ground” or “field.”
53. Dobos: From the Hungarian word for “drum,” this was initially for a drum player or maker.
54. Dobrev: In Bulgarian, this lovely family name translates to “good water.”
55. Dobrinka: Another Bulgarian option, this nature-inspired name means “good river.”
56. Doctor: In Latin, this prestigious surname originally meant “teacher” or someone with medical expertise.
57. Dodge: Derived from Dogge, this is a medieval English diminutive of Roger.
58. Doherty: Meaning “descendant of Dochartach” in Irish, this comes from a nickname meaning “obstructive.”
59. Dohman: This strong German surname comes from the name Thomas.
60. Doležal: A humorous option among D names, this means “lazy person” in Czech.
61. Dong: Meaning “direct” or “supervise” in Chinese, this reflects a managerial role.
62. Donne: From the Gaelic word for “brown,” this was originally given to those with dark hair.
63. Dorell: An uncommon option among surnames beginning with D, this is a unique form of Darrell.
64. Doubek: Meaning “small oak,” this derives from the Czech word for the tree.
65. Downard: A diminutive of Downhead or Donhead, originating from places in England.
66. Downer: An English surname denoting residence near a “down” or hill.
67. Doyenarte: This unique medieval Basque surname means “a place near the forest.”
68. Draganov: Meaning “son of Dragan” in Bulgarian, this links to a common given name.
69. Dragić: A Slavic patronymic surname derived from names beginning with Drag.
70. Dragon: A French and English surname, this was possibly a nickname for a fiery individual.
71. Draven: This spooky 6-letter last name was popularized by the action film The Crow.
72. Draycott: From Old English, this translates to “close by a dwelling place.”
73. Drayton: Meaning “portage settlement,” this English name is associated with several towns.
74. Drechsler: Meaning “turner” or “lathe worker” in German, this relates to woodworking.
75. Dreher: From Middle High German, this is an occupational name for a turner.
76. Dreschner: This German surname means “to thresh” and references someone who separates grain.
77. Dresden: The name of a German city, this means “settlement of people in the forest.”
78. Drexler: A German and Jewish variation of Drechsler, this is associated with woodworking.
79. Dries: From the name Dries, this is a Dutch short form of Andrew.
80. Du: A Chinese surname meaning “prevent” or referencing the birch leaf pear tree.
81. Duarte: In Portuguese and Spanish, this prosperous name means “wealthy guardian.”
82. Dubanowski: This family name indicates a person from Dubinowo, a colony in Belarus.
83. Dùbhghlas: This is the complex Scottish Gaelic form of Douglas.
84. Dubicki: Initially given to someone from the town of Dubica in Poland.
85. Duff: The Anglicized form of Mac Dhuibh, this Gaelic surname means “son of the dark one.”
86. Dunajski: Derived from “Dunaj,” the Polish name for the Danube River.
87. Dunkel: In German, this means “dark” and was likely a descriptive name for someone with dark features.
88. Dunleavy: This rare Irish surname means “brown-haired man” or “chieftain.”
89. Dunlop: From Scottish, this means “muddy hill” and relates to the family’s residence.
90. Dunmire: This rare surname traces back to medieval Scotland and means “large fortress.”
91. Dunsworth: An English name suggesting a dwelling in or near a hill.
92. Duvinsky: A Ukrainian or Slovakian habitational surname from places named with “oak.”
93. Drazkowski: This Polish habitational surname associates with a place called Drążek.
94. Drummond: From the Gaelic word for “ridge,” this has a strong, natural feel.
95. Duncombe: Meaning “valley settlement” in English, this evokes images of picturesque landscapes.
96. Duneworth: A rare variant of Dungworth, associated with a location in Yorkshire, England.
97. Dungworth: An English surname from words for “manure” and “enclosure,” suggesting agriculture.
98. Dymond: An English variant of “diamond,” symbolizing strength and brilliance.
99. Dynhart: This fictional 7-letter surname is a creative fusion of “dynamic” and “heart.”

68 Beautiful Surnames Starting With D

These gorgeous last names beginning with D will add elegance to any character or family tree.

1. Dalí: Meaning “noble,” this name is associated with famous Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí.
2. Dantzler: An occupational surname for a dancer, derived from the Middle High German word.
3. Darcy: Originating from France, this name is famously linked to Pride and Prejudice.
4. Darnell: Derived from Old French, this references a type of grass or weed.
5. Darrow: An intriguing option among surnames, this comes from the Gaelic word for “oak tree.”
6. Da Silva: This sophisticated Portuguese surname means “of the forest.”
7. Davignon: A gorgeous 8-letter French surname derived from David, meaning “beloved.”
8. Davila: With Spanish and Portuguese origins, this likely comes from a word meaning “enclosure.”
9. Dawkins: This indicates a patronymic link to the name David.
10. Deighton: An Old English surname combining words for “ditch” and “enclosure.”
11. De La Fuente: Meaning “of the fountain,” this suggests residence near a water source.
12. De Klerk: From the Dutch word for “clerk,” this relates to the English name Clark.
13. Delacroix: In French, this elegant name means “of the cross.”
14. Delamarre: A lovely French option translating to “of the pond” or “of the sea.”
15. Delaney: From the Norman French “from the alder grove,” this connects to natural surroundings.
16. De Laurentis: This elegant Italian surname means “son of Lorenzo.”
17. Del Bosque: Meaning “from the woods” in Spanish, this connects to beautiful forests.
18. Dellucci: This surname suggests a connection to the city of Lucca in Italy.
19. Delvecchio: In Italian, this lovely title means “of the old one” or “of the old place.”
20. Demir: This lovely 5-letter Turkish surname means “iron” and initially referred to ironworkers.
21. Deniau: A lovely French form of the surname Daniels.
22. Denis: This cute French surname comes from the given name Denis or Dennis.
23. Descoteaux: In French, this name translates to “from the hillside.”
24. Desjardins: Meaning “from the gardens,” this comes from the French word “jardin.”
25. Desroches: Meaning “from the rocks” in French, this suggests an ancestral connection to rocky landscapes.
26. Desrosiers: In French, this floral D surname means “from the rose bushes.”
27. Devin: From the Old French word for “divine” or “seer,” this has a mystical quality.
28. Diamante: Meaning “diamond,” this symbolizes strength in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
29. Dias: A familial surname meaning “son of Diogo” in Portuguese.
30. Diaz de Leon: This regal-sounding family name means “son of Leon” in Spanish.
31. Dibra: From the Albanian name for Debar, a city in Macedonia.
32. Di Caprio: References the island of Capri, possibly from Latin or Greek words for goat or boar.
33. Di Nardo: A noble Italian surname originating in Tuscany.
34. Dinsmore: An English surname indicating someone from a fortified hill or fortress.
35. Dior: Possibly from the French “doré” (golden), associated with designer Christian Dior.
36. Domingo: From the given name Domingo, meaning “of the Lord.”
37. Donati: This Italian surname comes from the name Donato, meaning “gifted.”
38. Doran: This classic Irish surname means “exile” or “wanderer.”
39. Dorsey: Meaning “from Orsay,” this ties to a town near Paris, France.
40. Dowling: Comes from an Irish surname meaning “descendant of Dúnlang.”
41. Downing: An English surname likely referencing the settlement of Dunn’s people.
42. Drake: From Old Norse or Old English words meaning “dragon.”
43. Draper: An occupational surname from the French for “a maker or seller of woolen cloth.”
44. Driftwood: Suggests a connection to coastal areas, possibly tied to occupations like fishing.
45. Driscoll: In Irish, this means “descendant of the messenger.”
46. Drystan: An unusual option among D last names, this is the Welsh form of Tristan.
47. Dubois: This 6-letter beauty means “from the forest” in French.
48. Duchamp: Meaning “from the fields” in French, this was borne by artist Marcel Duchamp.
49. Ducharme: In French, this beautiful family name means “by the hornbeam (tree).”
50. Dudley: Meaning “Dudda’s clearing” in Old English, this links to a noble family.
51. Dufort: Meaning “from the fort” in French, this signifies a historical connection to a fortress.
52. Dufour: A French occupational surname for a baker, originating from the word for oven.
53. Dufresne: A French surname signifying “from the ash tree,” symbolizing strength.
54. Duggan: The Scottish and Irish variant of Dugan, meaning “small dark one.”
55. Duguay: Meaning “from the ford” in French, this indicates a connection to a river crossing.
56. Duke: From the Latin “dux” (leader), this was initially a noble title.
57. Dukes: Indicates descent from a person with the given name Duke.
58. Dulcet: From the Old French word for “sweet” or “pleasant,” perfect for a sweet family.
59. Dulcinea: Derived from the Spanish word for “sweet,” associated with Don Quixote.
60. Duluth: From the French meaning “of the lute,” referencing the musical instrument.
61. Dumas: This wholesome surname means “from the farm” and is linked to author Alexandre Dumas.
62. Dumont: A good surname for nature lovers, meaning “from the mountain” in French.
63. Dumoulin: In French, this means “little mill,” suggesting an association with milling.
64. Dunstan: Meaning “dark stone” in Old English, this gives off a spooky feel.
65. Durham: This 6-letter family name means “hill island” and is associated with a city in North Carolina.
66. Dussault: With French origins, this references families historically living near a willow tree.
67. Duval: A classy option among last names starting with D, meaning “from the valley” in French.
68. Duvalle: This French title implies picturesque landscapes, meaning “from the valley.”

Last Names That Start With D FAQs

What Are the 10 Rarest Last Names Starting With D?

Some of the rarest last names starting with D include Dunstan (dark stone), Dreiser (woodworker), and Duquette (little leader). Others include Danhauer (tavern owner), Devers (green landscapes), and Dallaire (from the alder groves). You might also encounter Dziuban (beak), Dobrinka (good river), or Dymond (diamond). These unique options often highlight specific regional origins or niche occupations.

Why Do Italian Last Names Start With D?

Italian last names beginning with “D,” such as Di Matteo or De Luca, often use patronymics. The prefix “Di” means “of” or “from,” linking a child to their father’s first name. “De” implies a connection to a specific location or family trade. This tradition helps historians and genealogists trace family lineage and regional roots throughout Italy.

What Are the Most Beautiful French Names Beginning With D?

French surnames are known for their elegance. Top contenders include Delacroix (of the cross) and Dupont (of the bridge). Nature-inspired names like Dufresne (of the ash tree) and De La Fontaine (of the fountain) are also popular. For a regal touch, consider Durand or Dubois. These names capture the melodic quality of the French language.

What Is the Most Common Last Name That Starts With D?

In the United States, Davis is the most common surname starting with D, consistently ranking in the top 10 of all surnames nationwide. Other high-ranking D names include Diaz, which is popular globally due to its Spanish roots, and Daniels.