Last Names Starting With S: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter "S"? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive list features over 40 last names beginning with "S," along with their detailed origins and meanings. Whether you're searching for a classic surname with a rich history or a modern and distinctive name, this guide offers a variety of options to inspire your choice.
1. **Sable:** From the Old French word "sable," meaning "dark brown" or "black." It is a surname often associated with furriers or those who worked with sable, a valuable type of dark brown fur.
2. **Sadler:** Derived from the Old English word "sadol," meaning "saddle." This surname was given to those who crafted or repaired saddles, often for horses.
3. **Sage:** Originating from the Latin word "sapiens," meaning "wise." This surname was often given to individuals known for their wisdom or knowledge, particularly in fields like medicine or law.
4. **Saint:** A surname derived from the French word "saint," meaning "holy" or "sacred." It was often given to individuals who were considered to be of great piety or who lived near a church dedicated to a saint.
5. **Salisbury:** A place name of English origin, meaning "meadow by the willow." It is derived from the Old English words "salh" (willow) and "burh" (fortified place).
6. **Salter:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who sells or deals in salt." Salt was a valuable commodity in the past, and salt merchants played a vital role in the economy.
7. **Sampson:** A surname of biblical origin, derived from the Hebrew name "Shimshon," meaning "sun." Sampson was a biblical hero known for his great strength.
8. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname, derived from the given name "Sancho," which itself is a variant of the Germanic name "Segen," meaning "victory" or "blessing."
9. **Sanders:** A surname derived from the given name "Alexander," meaning "defender of mankind." This surname was often given to those who held positions of authority or those who were known for their courage.
10. **Sanderson:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "son of the sand merchant." This surname was given to those who worked in the sand trade, which was important for building materials and other purposes.
11. **Sandoval:** A Spanish surname, possibly derived from the Basque word "sando," meaning "rock" or "stone," or from the Arabic word "sandawl," meaning "sandal."
12. **Sargent:** A surname derived from the Old French word "sergent," meaning "servant" or "soldier." It was often given to those who held positions of authority or those who served in the military.
13. **Sasso:** An Italian surname, derived from the word "sasso," meaning "stone" or "rock." It could be a place name or an occupational surname given to those who worked with stone.
14. **Saunders:** A surname derived from the given name "Alexander," meaning "defender of mankind." This surname was often given to those who held positions of authority or those who were known for their courage.
15. **Savage:** A surname of French origin, derived from the word "sauvage," meaning "wild" or "untamed." It could have been given to those who lived in a wild or remote area, or those who were considered to be fierce or untamed.
16. **Sawyer:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who saws wood." Sawyers were important in the woodworking industry, and their skill was essential for building homes and furniture.
17. **Scarborough:** A place name of English origin, meaning "steep slope town." It is derived from the Old Norse words "skar" (steep slope) and "burgh" (fortified place).
18. **Schafer:** A German surname, derived from the word "schaf," meaning "sheep." This surname was often given to shepherds or those who raised sheep.
19. **Schmitt:** A German surname, derived from the word "schmidt," meaning "blacksmith." This surname was given to those who worked as blacksmiths, a crucial trade in the past.
20. **Schneider:** A German surname, derived from the word "schneider," meaning "tailor." This surname was given to those who worked as tailors, crafting clothing for the community.
21. **Schofield:** A surname of English origin, meaning "field of shoots" or "meadow of shoots." It is derived from the Old English words "scyt" (shoot) and "feld" (field).
22. **Schroeder:** A German surname, derived from the word "schroder," meaning "cutter" or "carver." This surname was often given to those who worked in the woodworking or carpentry trades.
23. **Schultz:** A German surname, derived from the word "schultheiss," meaning "headman" or "bailiff." This surname was often given to those who held positions of authority in villages or towns.
24. **Scott:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the word "scot," meaning "Irishman" or "Gaelic-speaking person." This surname was often given to those who came from Ireland or those who spoke Gaelic.
25. **Seaman:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who sails a ship." Seamen were essential for maritime trade and exploration, and their skills were highly valued.
26. **Seaton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "settlement near a sea." It is derived from the Old English words "sē" (sea) and "tūn" (settlement).
27. **Seeley:** A surname of English origin, meaning "blessed" or "happy." It is derived from the Old English word "sēlig," meaning "blessed."
28. **Selkirk:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "church by the seal." It is derived from the Old Norse words "selr" (seal) and "kirkja" (church).
29. **Sellers:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who sells goods." Sellers were important in the economy, providing goods and services to the community.
30. **Selznick:** A surname of German origin, meaning "son of Nick." It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was given to someone who was the son of a man named Nick.
31. **Semple:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "simple" or "humble." It is derived from the Old English word "simpel," meaning "simple."
32. **Serrano:** A Spanish surname, derived from the word "serrano," meaning "mountain dweller." It was often given to those who lived in mountainous regions.
33. **Seward:** A surname of English origin, meaning "guard of the forest" or "keeper of the woods." It is derived from the Old English words "sēo" (she) and "weard" (guard).
34. **Shannon:** A surname of Irish origin, derived from the name of the River Shannon, which is the longest river in Ireland.
35. **Sharp:** A surname of English origin, meaning "sharp" or "keen." It could have been given to someone who was known for their intelligence, their sharpness of wit, or their skills with a knife or other sharp tools.
36. **Shaw:** A surname of English origin, meaning "meadow" or "woodland." It is derived from the Old English word "scēa," meaning "wood."
37. **Shea:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "the Lord is merciful." It is derived from the Gaelic words "Sí" (Lord) and "aithne" (mercy).
38. **Sheppard:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who tends sheep." Shepherds were crucial in the agricultural economy, caring for sheep and their wool.
39. **Sheridan:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of the strong man." It is derived from the Gaelic words "Sí" (Lord) and "rí" (king).
40. **Sherman:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who cuts wool." Shearmen were important in the textile industry, preparing wool for spinning and weaving.
41. **Shields:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who makes shields." Shields were important in warfare, protecting soldiers from enemy attacks.
42. **Short:** A surname of English origin, meaning "short" or "small." It could have been given to someone who was of short stature, or it could have been a nickname for someone who had a shorter surname.
43. **Shorter:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who works with short materials." It could have been given to a tailor who worked with shorter fabric lengths or a carpenter who used shorter boards.
44. **Silverstein:** A German surname, meaning "silver stone" or "silver rock." It could have been given to someone who lived near a place with silver deposits or who worked with silver.
45. **Simon:** A surname of Hebrew origin, meaning "he who has heard." It is derived from the Hebrew word "shema," meaning "to hear."
46. **Simpson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Simon." It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was given to someone who was the son of a man named Simon.
47. **Sinclair:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "saint's clear" or "holy clearing." It is derived from the Gaelic words "sain" (saint) and "claireach" (clearing).
48. **Singer:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who sings." Singers were often employed in churches or at court, providing entertainment and spiritual uplift.
49. **Skinner:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who skins animals." Skinners were important in the processing of animal hides, which were used for clothing and other purposes.
50. **Smith:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who works with metal." Smiths were essential for creating tools, weapons, and other objects from metal.
51. **Snell:** A surname of English origin, meaning "small" or "little." It could have been a nickname for someone who was small in stature or who had a small physical feature.
52. **Snow:** A surname of English origin, meaning "snow." It could have been given to someone who lived in a snowy region or who had a snow-related occupation.
53. **Snyder:** A surname of German origin, meaning "tailor." It is derived from the German word "Schneider," which means "tailor."
54. **Solomon:** A surname of Hebrew origin, meaning "peaceful." It is derived from the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning "peace."
55. **Somers:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives near a summer house." It is derived from the Old English words "sumor" (summer) and "hūs" (house).
56. **Sorensen:** A surname of Danish origin, meaning "son of Soren." It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was given to someone who was the son of a man named Soren.
57. **Spencer:** A surname of English origin, meaning "steward" or "dispenser." It was often given to those who managed the household of a lord or nobleman.
58. **Spence:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward" or "dispenser." It is derived from the Old French word "dispenseur," meaning "steward."
59. **Spicer:** An occupational surname of English origin, meaning "one who deals in spices." Spices were valuable and exotic goods in the past, and spice merchants played a vital role in the economy.
60. **Spiegel:** A German surname, meaning "mirror." It could have been given to someone who worked with mirrors or who had a mirror-related occupation.
61. **Sprague:** A surname of English origin, meaning "spray" or "spout." It could have been given to someone who lived near a stream or who worked with water.
62. **Stafford:** A place name of English origin, meaning "ford by the stag." It is derived from the Old English words "stēa" (stag) and "ford" (ford).
63. **Stallings:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives at a stall" or "one who works at a stall." It could have been given to someone who sold goods from a stall in a market.
64. **Stanley:** A place name of English origin, meaning "stone clearing" or "stone meadow." It is derived from the Old English words "stān" (stone) and "leah" (clearing).
65. **Stanton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "stone town." It is derived from the Old English words "stān" (stone) and "tūn" (town).
66. **Stark:** A surname of German origin, meaning "strong" or "firm." It could have been given to someone who was physically strong or who was known for their character.
67. **Steele:** A surname of English origin, meaning "steel." It could have been given to a blacksmith or someone who worked with steel.
68. **Stein:** A German surname, meaning "stone" or "rock." It could have been given to someone who lived near a stone landmark or who worked with stone.
69. **Stephens:** A surname of Greek origin, meaning "crowned" or "garlanded." It is derived from the Greek word "stephanos," meaning "crown."
70. **Stevens:** A surname of Greek origin, meaning "crowned" or "garlanded." It is derived from the Greek word "stephanos," meaning "crown."
71. **Stewart:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward." It was often given to those who held positions of authority in the households of noblemen or royalty.
72. **Still:** A surname of English origin, meaning "quiet" or "calm." It could have been given to someone who was known for their quiet demeanor or who lived in a quiet place.
73. **Stirling:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "steep place" or "rocky place." It is derived from the Gaelic words "sìr" (steep) and "linn" (pool).
74. **Stoddard:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives by a ford." It is derived from the Old English words "stōd" (stood) and "ford" (ford).
75. **Stokes:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives by a stream." It is derived from the Old English word "stōc," meaning "stream."
76. **Stone:** A surname of English origin, meaning "stone." It could have been given to someone who lived near a stone landmark or who worked with stone.
77. **Stout:** A surname of English origin, meaning "strong" or "brave." It could have been given to someone who was physically strong or who was known for their courage.
78. **Straub:** A German surname, meaning "bush" or "shrub." It could have been given to someone who lived near a place with bushes or who worked with bushes.
79. **Strauss:** A German surname, meaning "ostrich." It could have been given to someone who lived near a place where ostriches were found or who worked with ostriches.
80. **Strong:** A surname of English origin, meaning "strong." It could have been given to someone who was physically strong or who was known for their character.
81. **Stuart:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward." It was often given to those who held positions of authority in the households of noblemen or royalty.
82. **Sullivan:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "black-eyed" or "dark-eyed." It is derived from the Gaelic words "dubh" (black) and "sul" (eye).
83. **Summers:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives in a summer house." It is derived from the Old English words "sumor" (summer) and "hūs" (house).
84. **Sutton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "south town." It is derived from the Old English words "sūth" (south) and "tūn" (town).
85. **Swain:** A surname of English origin, meaning "young man" or "servant." It could have been given to a young man who worked as a servant or who was the son of a servant.
86. **Swanson:** A surname of Swedish origin, meaning "son of Swan." It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it was given to someone who was the son of a man named Swan.
87. **Sweeney:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "sweet" or "pleasant." It is derived from the Gaelic word "suaimhneas," meaning "sweetness" or "pleasantness."
88. **Sweet:** A surname of English origin, meaning "sweet" or "pleasant." It could have been given to someone who was known for their kind and gentle nature or who lived in a sweet-smelling place.
89. **Swift:** A surname of English origin, meaning "quick" or "fast." It could have been given to someone who was known for their speed or who had a quick mind.
90. **Swisher:** A surname of German origin, meaning "one who swings a sword." It could have been given to a warrior or someone who worked with swords.