Wonderful Last Names That Start With W

Whether you are tracing your lineage or hunting for the perfect character name, surnames starting with W offer a treasure trove of history. From common occupational titles like “Wright” to global heavyweights like “Wang,” this letter covers it all.

We have compiled a massive list of surnames starting with W, ranging from the incredibly popular to the wonderfully obscure.

Let’s dive in.

67 Exotic Last Names That Start With W

These foreign last names starting with W originate from diverse cultures and corners of the globe.

1. Waclawski: Of Polish origin, this is a habitational option for families from Waclawice.
2. Wadhwani: A name found in Pakistan and India that means “descendant of Wadhwa.”
3. Waffle: While it reminds us of breakfast, this surname likely links to the German “Waffel” or “Weifel.”
4. Waguespack: A variation of Wagenbach, a German habitational surname.
5. Wahab: Of Arabic origin, meaning “liberator” or “giver.”
6. Wahba: A 5-letter Egyptian option meaning “present giver” in Arabic.
7. Wahlig: A rare surname hailing from Germany.
8. Wai: A short Chinese surname meaning “favor,” “to bestow,” or “benevolent.”
9. Waible: A German occupational surname for bailiffs or court servers.
10. Wakabayashi: Of Japanese origin, meaning “young forest.”
11. Wakim: A variation of Hakim, meaning “wise” and “physician” in Arabic.
12. Walco: An alternate spelling of Walkoe, meaning “woods of defense” in German.
13. Waletzko: The German version of Walecko, a Polish surname.
14. Wali: Of Arabic origin, meaning “lord,” “protector,” or “saint.”
15. Walicki: A Polish habitational surname meaning “from Waliska.”
16. Wallach: Of Welsh origin, meaning “Welshman” or “foreigner.”
17. Wallis: A 6-letter pick that means “from Wales” in Welsh; a respelling of Wallace.
18. Walraven: Of Dutch origin, meaning “raven ruler.”
19. Walski: A Polish habitational surname for families hailing from Waly.
20. Walthour: An alternate spelling of Waldhauer, meaning “woodsman” in German.
21. Walvatne: Of Norwegian origin, meaning “ford shallows” or “lake water.”
22. Walz: Means “descendant of Walter” in German.
23. Wambach: A German habitational surname borne by soccer star Abby Wambach.
24. Wampler: Of Swiss origin, meaning “from Wandfluh” or “mass of rock.”
25. Wanamaker: A German occupational surname given to basket weavers.
26. Wandersee: An alternate spelling of Vanderzee, meaning “from the sea” in Dutch.
27. Wang: Of Chinese origin, a popular name meaning “king.”
28. Wanink: A rare European surname popular in the Netherlands.
29. Watroba: Of Polish origin, deriving from the word for “liver.”
30. Waugh: A Scottish nickname turned surname, meaning “foreigner.”
31. Wawro: Short for Wawrzyniec, meaning “laurel” in Polish.
32. Way: Of English origin, traditionally given to families living near paths.
33. Wayda: A derivative of Wajda, meaning “leader” in Russian.
34. Wazny: Of Polish origin, originally a nickname for important or self-righteous individuals.
35. Wee: A Chinese surname meaning “small” or derived from the Wu kingdom.
36. Weeks: An English option referring to a “dairy farm” or “outlying settlement.”
37. Weeldreyer: A Dutch surname meaning “wheelwright” or “lathe operator.”
38. Weems: A simplified respelling of Wemyss, meaning “cave” in Scottish.
39. Wefel: Of German origin, possibly related to weaving or the weevil beetle.
40. Weg: Means “way” and “path” in German.
41. Wehrli: A derivative of Wehr, meaning “fort” and “protection” in German.
42. Wei: Of Chinese origin, referring to the gates of a palace or mansion.
43. Weir: A Scottish habitational title for families dwelling near river dams.
44. Weis: Of German and Yiddish origin, meaning “white” or “bright.”
45. Weiss: A respelling of Weisz, meaning “white” in German.
46. Welsh: Of Scottish, Irish, and English origin, meaning “foreign” or pointing to a Welshman.
47. Wendt: Indicates a person of Wendish (Slavic) origin in German contexts.
48. Wenzel: A name of Slavic origin meaning “greatly to be praised.”
49. Wesolek: A Polish nickname for jesters, comedians, or cheerful people.
50. Wetzel: Of German origin, a diminutive of Werner.
51. Whatley: An English habitational surname meaning “woodland clearing.”
52. Wiles: Of English origin, an occupational surname for trappers or utilizing traps.
53. Wimpy: Means “descendant of Wimpory” in English.
54. Wing: A derivative of Weng, meaning “field” or “meadow” in Scandinavian contexts.
55. Winn: An alternate spelling of Gwyn, meaning “fair” or “blessed.”
56. Wisniewski: A top surname in Poland, pointing to towns with cherry trees.
57. Witte: Of Dutch and German origin, meaning “the white one.”
58. Wojcik: Means “village headman” or “little warrior” in Polish.
59. Wong: Of Chinese origin, meaning “king” or “yellow” depending on the character.
60. Woo: An alternate spelling of Wu.
61. Wooten: An English habitational surname meaning “from the farmstead.”
62. Worley: An English topographical last name for families near myrtle bogs.
63. Wozniak: Derived from Wozny, meaning “apparitor” or “beadle.”
64. Wray: Of Norse origin, meaning “nook” or “corner of the land.”
65. Wu: A common surname meaning “five” or referring to the state of Wu in China.
66. Wylie: A derivative of “wilig,” meaning “willow meadow” in English.
67. Wynn: Means “friend” or “blessed” in English and Welsh.

68 Popular Surnames Starting With W

These famous surnames starting with W include some of the most common monikers in the Western world.

1. Wade: A derivative of “wadan,” meaning “to go” or “ford” in English.
2. Waiters: An occupational surname for watchmen or gatekeepers.
3. Walden: Inspired by “walh,” meaning “foreigner” or “wooded valley.”
4. Waldorf: Of German origin, meaning “village in the woods.”
5. Walker: A German and English surname for those who thickened cloth by trampling it.
6. Wall: An English topographical pick for families dwelling near town walls.
7. Walsh: Of Irish origin, meaning “Briton” or “foreigner.”
8. Walter: Means “power of the army” in German.
9. Walton: Of English origin, meaning “walled town” or “farmstead near a wood.”
10. Ward: An English option given to watchmen and guards.
11. Ware: Of English origin, meaning “dam” or “weir.”
12. Warner: A derivative of Warnier, meaning “guard” and “army” in French.
13. Warren: Of French and English origin, meaning “park keeper” or “animal enclosure.”
14. Washington: Means “settlement of Wassa’s people” in English.
15. Watkins: Of English and Welsh origin, meaning “son of Watt.”
16. Watson: Hailing from Scotland and England, meaning “son of Walter.”
17. Watt: Inspired by Walter, meaning “powerful ruler.”
18. Watts: Of English origin, a patronymic surname for the son of Watt.
19. Wayne: Means “wagon driver” or “cart maker” in English.
20. Weathers: A derivative of “wether,” referring to a castrated ram or a shepherd.
21. Webber: Of English origin, meaning “cloth weaver.”
22. Webster: Means “weaver” in English, specifically a female weaver originally.
23. Weinstein: Of German and Yiddish origin, meaning “wine stone” (cream of tartar).
24. Werner: Hails from Germany and means “the defending warrior.”
25. Wesley: A British option meaning “western meadow.”
26. West: Of English and German origin, denoting someone who lived to the west.
27. Westbrook: Hailing from the U.K., meaning “western stream.”
28. Westfall: A German option taken from Westphalia, meaning “western fields.”
29. Weston: Of British origin, meaning “from the western town.”
30. Wharton: Means “shore” or “embankment settlement” in English.
31. Wheat: Of English origin, referring to wheat farmers or those with pale hair.
32. Whitaker: Means “the white acre” in English and Scottish.
33. White: An English pick initially referring to someone with fair hair or complexion.
34. Whitman: Of British origin, meaning “white man” or “pure man.”
35. Whitmore: Means “white moor” in English.
36. Whittaker: A respelling of Whitaker, meaning “white acre.”
37. Wilde: Of English origin, meaning “high spirited” or “untamed.”
38. Wilder: An English and German pick meaning “untamed” or “wild animal.”
39. Wiley: A respelling of Wylie, meaning “from the willow clearing.”
40. Wilkins: Of English origin, pointing to sons or relatives of William.
41. Wilkinson: An English and German patronymic surname meaning “son of Wilkin.”
42. Willett: Of English origin, meaning “son of Will.”
43. Willey: An alternate spelling of Wiley, meaning “willow clearing.”
44. Williams: Means “son of William,” one of the most popular surnames globally.
45. Williamson: Of English and Scottish origin, meaning “son of William.”
46. Willis: An English option given to relatives of William.
47. Willoughby: Hailing from Britain, meaning “farm in the willow meadow.”
48. Wills: Short for Wilhelm, meaning “resolute protection.”
49. Wilson: An English option originating in the Middle Ages, meaning “son of Will.”
50. Winchester: Of English origin, meaning “Roman fort at Venta.”
51. Winfrey: A derivative of Winefrid, meaning “friend of peace.”
52. Winslet: Hailing from Britain, likely a habitational name from Winslade.
53. Winslow: An English habitational title meaning “hill of victory” or “Wine’s burial mound.”
54. Winston: The simplified version of Wynstan, meaning “joy stone.”
55. Winters: Means “winter” in Irish and Dutch, often for someone born in the cold season.
56. Wiseman: An English moniker turned surname, given to a learned or rational man.
57. Witherspoon: Of Scottish origin, meaning “wether (sheep) enclosure.”
58. Wolf: Means “wolf” in German, often a nickname for a fierce fighter.
59. Wolff: A common respelling of Wolf.
60. Wolfgang: Of German origin, meaning “wolf journey.”
61. Wood: Means “of the woods” in English; also refers to woodcutters.
62. Woodall: An English topographical surname meaning “woad hill.”
63. Woodruff: Taken from “woderove,” meaning “sweet woodruff” (a plant).
64. Woods: Of English origin, pointing to families dwelling near the forest.
65. Woodward: Means “forester” in English; one who guards the wood.
66. Worthington: Of English origin, meaning “enclosure of Weorth’s people.”
67. Wright: Hailing from England and Scotland, meaning “a craftsman” or “builder.”
68. Wyman: Means “war man” or “warrior” in English.

68 Unique Surnames Starting With W

These off-the-wall surnames starting with W are wacky, wild, and wonderfully rare.

1. Waag: Of German origin, meaning “weighing scales” or “pool.”
2. Waddell: Means “from Woad Hill” in English.
3. Wagner: Hailing from Germany, meaning “wagonmaker.”
4. Wagoner: Of German origin, meaning “wagon driver.”
5. Wahl: A derivative of “wal,” meaning “choice” or “election” in German.
6. Wahlberg: Of Swedish origin, meaning “pasture mountain.”
7. Wakefield: An English habitational surname meaning “field of the wake.”
8. Waldron: Of English origin, meaning “raven rule” or habitational.
9. Wallace: Means “foreigner” and “Celt” in English.
10. Waller: A Middle Ages option meaning “wall maker” or “salt boiler.”
11. Walls: An English topographical title for those dwelling near walls.
12. Walters: Means “son of Walter” in English.
13. Warden: Of English and Scottish origin, meaning “watchman” or “guard.”
14. Washburn: Means “from the flooding brook” in English.
15. Wassom: Hailing from Norway, a variation of Wasmuth.
16. Wasson: A respelling of Wason, which means “son of Wace.”
17. Waterman: An English occupational title for a boatman or water carrier.
18. Waters: A patronymic surname derived from Walter.
19. Weaver: Means “cloth weaver” in English.
20. Webb: Of English and Scottish origin, meaning “weaver.”
21. Weber: A German option meaning “weaver.”
22. Weed: Means “furious” or “mad” in Old English.
23. Weiner: Of Yiddish origin, meaning “wine merchant” or “resident of Vienna.”
24. Welch: An English option meaning “foreign” or “Welsh.”
25. Weldon: Hails from the U.K. and means “hill near a spring.”
26. Weller: Of English origin, meaning “salt boiler.”
27. Wells: Hailing from Britain, meaning “from the well” or “spring.”
28. Whalen: Means “little wolf” in Irish.
29. Whaley: Taken from “hwealf,” meaning “arch” or “vault” in Old English.
30. Wheatley: An 8-letter English topographical surname for those near wheat fields.
31. Wheeler: Of English origin, meaning “wheel maker.”
32. Whelen: A derivative of O Faoilain, meaning “wolf” in Irish.
33. Whipple: A topographical name for someone living near a path or post.
34. Whitehead: Of English origin, traditionally a nickname for someone with white hair.
35. Whitfield: Means “white field” in Old English.
36. Whiting: Of Saxon origin, meaning “white offspring” or “son of White.”
37. Whitley: Means “white meadow” in English.
38. Whitlock: An English name meaning “white enclosure” or “white lock of hair.”
39. Whitney: Hailing from Britain, meaning “white island.”
40. Whitt: Of English origin, meaning “white,” often a nickname for pale features.
41. Whitten: A respelling of Whitton, meaning “white homestead.”
42. Whittington: Of English origin, meaning “Hwita’s estate.”
43. Wicker: Refers to a worker in wicker or a dweller at a dairy farm.
44. Wiggins: Of Breton origin, meaning “son of Wigand.”
45. Wilburn: Means “willow stream” or “bright will” in English.
46. Wilcox: Of English origin, meaning “son of William.”
47. Wilhelm: A derivative of Wilhelmus, meaning “helmet of protection” in German.
48. Wilkerson: Means “son of Wilker” (a diminutive of William).
49. Wilkes: A derivative of Wilhelm, meaning “resolute protector.”
50. Willard: Of French and English origin, meaning “will desire” or “brave.”
51. William: Means “descendant or son of William.”
52. Willingham: Taken from the “homestead of the people of Willa.”
53. Wilt: A variation of Wilde or a nickname for a determined person.
54. Windham: Of British origin, referring to “Winda’s homestead.”
55. Winkler: A German occupational surname for shopkeepers or corner dwellers.
56. Winter: Of German and English origin, originally for a person with a frosty temperament.
57. Wise: An English surname given to learned or rational men.
58. Withers: Means “wood” or “willow,” or a patronymic of Wither.
59. Witt: Of German origin, referring to someone with white hair.
60. Wolfe: A respelling of Wolf, given to men with wolfish traits.
61. Womack: Of English origin, meaning “hollow oak.”
62. Woodard: An English occupational surname for a forester.
63. Woodson: Means “son of Wood” or “from Woodsome.”
64. Woody: A derivative of Wood, meaning “from the woods.”
65. Woollacott: An alternate spelling of Woolcott, meaning “cottage of Wulfnot.”
66. Workman: Of English origin, meaning “laborer.”
67. Wren: A bird name, used as a nickname for a small or lively person.
68. Wyatt: Hailing from Britain, meaning “war strength” or “brave in war.”

What Is the Most Common Last Name Starting With W?

In the United States and the United Kingdom, “Williams” is the most common surname starting with W. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of William.” On a global scale, the Chinese surname “Wang” (meaning King) is the most common, held by over 100 million people.

What Are Some German Last Names Starting With W?

Common German surnames starting with the letter W include Wagner (wagon maker), Weber (weaver), Wolf (wolf), and Werner (defending warrior). Many of these names are occupational or descriptive.

What Does the Last Name Wright Mean?

“Wright” is an English occupational surname. It comes from the Old English word “wryhta” or “wyrhta,” meaning a worker or shaper of wood. It was often combined with other words to create specific job titles, such as “Cartwright” (cart maker) or “Wheelwright” (wheel maker).