Great Last Names: A Guide to Powerful and Meaningful Surnames

Looking for a last name that sounds powerful, elegant, or simply unique? This comprehensive list of great last names explores a diverse range of origins and meanings, offering options for those seeking a surname that reflects their personality, heritage, or simply sounds exceptional. Whether you're interested in names with strong historical ties, modern and inventive options, or surnames that carry a special significance, this guide provides a wealth of inspiration.
1. **Abernathy:** From the Old English words "æþer" (noble) and "denu" (valley), meaning "noble valley."
2. **Ackerman:** German origin, meaning "field man" or "one who works the fields."
3. **Adams:** From the Hebrew name "Adam," meaning "man" or "earthly."
4. **Adler:** German origin, meaning "eagle."
5. **Agnew:** From the Gaelic "Aonghas," meaning "one fire" or "one strength."
6. **Aiken:** From the Scottish word "aichen," meaning "oak tree."
7. **Alexander:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
8. **Allen:** From the Old English word "allan," meaning "all" or "whole."
9. **Anderson:** From the Norse words "andr" (man) and "son," meaning "son of man."
10. **Andrews:** From the Greek name "Andreas," meaning "manly" or "strong."
11. **Armstrong:** From the Old English words "arm" (arm) and "streng" (strong), meaning "strong arm."
12. **Arnold:** German origin, meaning "eagle power" or "ruler of eagles."
13. **Ashworth:** From the Old English words "æsc" (ash tree) and "weorth" (worth), meaning "worth of the ash tree."
14. **Atkinson:** From the Old English words "æt" (at) and "kin" (family), meaning "son of the family."
15. **Austin:** From the Latin name "Augustinus," meaning "venerable" or "majestic."
16. **Avery:** From the Old English word "æferig," meaning "elf-like" or "magical."
17. **Baker:** From the Old English word "bācere," meaning "one who bakes."
18. **Baldwin:** German origin, meaning "brave ruler."
19. **Ballard:** From the Old French word "balladeur," meaning "dancer."
20. **Barlow:** From the Old English words "bearu" (grove) and "hlāw" (hill), meaning "grove hill."
21. **Barnes:** From the Old English word "bærn," meaning "barn."
22. **Barrett:** From the Old English word "bar," meaning "a ridge of land."
23. **Barton:** From the Old English word "bær," meaning "barley" or "grain."
24. **Bates:** From the Old English word "bæt," meaning "better."
25. **Bauer:** German origin, meaning "farmer."
26. **Beckett:** From the Old English word "bec," meaning "stream" or "brook."
27. **Bell:** From the Old English word "belle," meaning "beautiful" or "fair."
28. **Bennett:** From the Old French word "benet," meaning "blessed."
29. **Bentley:** From the Old English words "bent" (meadow) and "lēah" (clearing), meaning "meadow clearing."
30. **Bernard:** German origin, meaning "brave bear."
31. **Berry:** From the Old English word "berie," meaning "berry."
32. **Blackburn:** From the Old English words "blac" (black) and "burn" (stream), meaning "black stream."
33. **Blair:** From the Gaelic word "blair," meaning "plain" or "field."
34. **Blake:** From the Old English word "blæc," meaning "black."
35. **Bloom:** From the Old English word "blōma," meaning "blossom."
36. **Bolton:** From the Old English words "bold" (hill) and "tūn" (farm), meaning "hill farm."
37. **Booth:** From the Old English word "bōth," meaning "dwelling" or "house."
38. **Bowman:** From the Old English word "boga," meaning "bow."
39. **Boyd:** From the Gaelic word "bóidheach," meaning "handsome" or "beautiful."
40. **Bradley:** From the Old English words "brad" (broad) and "lēah" (clearing), meaning "broad clearing."