Uncommon Last Names: A Guide to Unique Surnames

Looking for a last name that stands out from the crowd? You've come to the right place! This list compiles uncommon last names, each with its unique history and meaning. Whether you're searching for a name for a character in your next novel, a unique identifier for your online persona, or simply curious about the origins of uncommon surnames, this comprehensive guide has you covered.
1. **Abernathy**: From the Old English words "æþel" (noble) and "beorn" (bear), meaning "noble bear."
2. **Ainsworth**: An English surname meaning "one's home in the meadow."
3. **Albright**: Derived from Old English words "eald" (old) and "beorht" (bright), meaning "old brightness."
4. **Aldridge**: Meaning "old ridge" or "old clearing," from Old English words "eald" and "hrycg."
5. **Amory**: Originated from the Latin word "amorem," meaning "love."
6. **Ancrum**: A Scottish surname derived from the place name Ancrum, meaning "valley of the crooked river."
7. **Ashworth**: An English surname meaning "home on the ash tree meadow."
8. **Atkinson**: Meaning "son of Atkin," a common medieval nickname.
9. **Audley**: Derived from the place name Audley in Cheshire, England.
10. **Baillie**: A Scottish surname meaning "bailiff" or "officer of the law."
11. **Barrington**: Meaning "hill of the barrows" from the Old English words "beorg" and "tun."
12. **Beaumont**: A French surname meaning "beautiful mountain."
13. **Belmont**: Derived from the Italian words "bello" (beautiful) and "monte" (mountain).
14. **Bellingham**: Meaning "farm belonging to Bell," derived from the Old English words "bella" and "ham."
15. **Berkeley**: A place name in Gloucestershire, England, derived from the Old English words "beorc" (birch tree) and "leah" (wood).
16. **Bicknell**: Meaning "dweller by the brook" from the Old English words "bic" (brook) and "hyll" (hill).
17. **Blades**: An English surname meaning "one who makes or uses blades."
18. **Bolling**: From the Old English word "bolla," meaning "ball" or "round object."
19. **Bolton**: Meaning "farm belonging to Boll," derived from the Old English words "bolla" and "tun."
20. **Bowden**: An English surname meaning "dweller in the town on the hill."
21. **Bradshaw**: Meaning "broad meadow" from the Old English words "brad" and "scēa."
22. **Brantley**: Meaning "hill of the brambles" from the Old English words "brant" and "lēah."
23. **Brent**: Meaning "steep bank" from the Old English word "brent."
24. **Brock**: An English surname meaning "badger."
25. **Brookes**: Meaning "dweller by the brook" from the Old English words "brōc" and "ēa."
26. **Burnett**: Meaning "dweller by the stream" from the Old English words "burna" and "tūn."
27. **Burton**: Meaning "farm belonging to Burt," derived from the Old English words "beorht" and "tūn."
28. **Byrne**: An Irish surname meaning "son of Brian."
29. **Cadogan**: An Irish surname meaning "little fighter."
30. **Calvert**: A surname of Norman origin meaning "bald head."
31. **Campbell**: A Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth."
32. **Carleton**: Meaning "farm belonging to Carl," derived from the Old English words "carl" and "tūn."
33. **Carlisle**: A place name in England derived from the Old English words "caer" (fort) and "lēah" (wood).
34. **Carter**: An English surname meaning "one who transports goods in a cart."
35. **Cavendish**: A surname of Norman origin meaning "one who lives in a valley."
36. **Chafin**: An English surname meaning "dweller at the clearing."
37. **Chancellor**: A surname of Norman origin meaning "chancellor" or "high official."
38. **Chapman**: An English surname meaning "merchant" or "trader."
39. **Chatham**: A place name in Kent, England, derived from the Old English words "ceap" (market) and "ham" (home).
40. **Cheever**: Meaning "dweller by the river" from the Old English words "ceaf" (river) and "fer" (journey).
41. **Chichester**: A place name in Sussex, England, derived from the Old English words "ciestre" (fort) and "cester" (Roman camp).
42. **Churchill**: Meaning "church on the hill" from the Old English words "circe" and "hyll."
43. **Claiborne**: An English surname meaning "clay pit."
44. **Clements**: From the Latin word "Clemens," meaning "mild."
45. **Clifford**: Meaning "ford by the cliff" from the Old English words "clif" and "ford."
46. **Clifton**: Meaning "farm on the cliff" from the Old English words "clif" and "tūn."
47. **Cobb**: An English surname meaning "one who makes or sells shoes."
48. **Cochran**: A Scottish surname meaning "son of Cochain."
49. **Colby**: An English surname meaning "dweller at the black spring."
50. **Coleman**: From the Old English word "col," meaning "black."