How to Change Last Name: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your last name can be a significant decision, whether you're getting married, seeking a fresh start, or simply want to align your name with your identity. This guide will equip you with the essential information you need to navigate the process of legally changing your last name.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew, meaning "manly," "brave," and "strong."

2. **Bailey:** Meaning "bailiff," "official," or "steward." It can also refer to a person who lives by a bay.

3. **Baker:** An occupational name for someone who bakes bread.

4. **Barnes:** Meaning "barley field" or "clearing in a barley field."

5. **Bell:** An occupational name for a bell maker or someone who lived near a bell tower.

6. **Bennett:** Meaning "blessed," "good," or "holy."

7. **Bishop:** An occupational name for a religious leader or someone who lived near a bishop's palace.

8. **Black:** A descriptive name for someone with dark hair or skin.

9. **Blake:** Meaning "dark," "black," or "pale."

10. **Brown:** A descriptive name for someone with brown hair or skin.

11. **Campbell:** Meaning "crooked mouth" or "mouth of the curve."

12. **Carter:** An occupational name for a person who transports goods by cart.

13. **Clark:** An occupational name for a scribe or someone who worked in a church office.

14. **Collins:** Meaning "young coal merchant" or "son of the coal merchant."

15. **Cooper:** An occupational name for a barrel maker.

16. **Davis:** Meaning "son of David," a biblical name meaning "beloved."

17. **Edwards:** Meaning "wealthy guardian," "protector," or "keeper."

18. **Evans:** Meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh name meaning "young warrior."

19. **Fisher:** An occupational name for someone who catches fish.

20. **Foster:** Meaning "forest dweller," "woodsman," or "guardian."

21. **Fox:** A descriptive name for someone who lived near foxes or had a fox as a familiar animal.

22. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcia."

23. **Gardner:** An occupational name for someone who tends a garden.

24. **Gill:** Meaning "stream" or "valley."

25. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."

26. **Gray:** A descriptive name for someone with gray hair or a gray coat.

27. **Green:** A descriptive name for someone who lived near a green field or forest.

28. **Hall:** Meaning "hall," "mansion," or "large house."

29. **Harris:** Meaning "son of Harry," a name meaning "home ruler."

30. **Harrison:** Meaning "son of Harry."

31. **Harvey:** Meaning "warlike" or "battle-ready."

32. **Hawkins:** Meaning "son of Hawk," a bird of prey known for its sharp eyesight.

33. **Hayes:** Meaning "enclosure" or "hedge."

34. **Henderson:** Meaning "son of Henry," a name meaning "ruler of the home."

35. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a German name meaning "soldier."

36. **Hill:** A descriptive name for someone who lived on a hill or near a hill.

37. **Jackson:** Meaning "son of Jack," a nickname for John.

38. **James:** A biblical name meaning "supplanter."

39. **Jenkins:** Meaning "son of Jenkin," a Welsh name meaning "little John."

40. **Johnson:** Meaning "son of John," a popular biblical name meaning "God is gracious."