Last Names Starting with R: A Comprehensive List and Meanings

Are you searching for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter R? Look no further! This extensive list compiles a diverse collection of last names beginning with R, along with their detailed origins and meanings. Whether you're exploring your family history or seeking inspiration for a fictional character, this resource will provide you with a wealth of options to consider.
1. **Raby:** From an English place name, meaning "rabbit enclosure."
2. **Radcliffe:** Derived from the Old English words "ræd" (counsel) and "clif" (cliff), meaning "counsel cliff."
3. **Radford:** From the Old English words "ræd" (counsel) and "ford" (crossing), meaning "counsel crossing."
4. **Rafferty:** A Gaelic surname meaning "descendant of Raithbheartach."
5. **Raleigh:** From an English place name, meaning "meadow by the lea."
6. **Ramirez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Ramiro," a Germanic name meaning "famous defender."
7. **Ramos:** A Spanish surname meaning "branches" or "twigs."
8. **Rand:** From an English place name, meaning "boundary."
9. **Randall:** A variant of the name Randolph, meaning "wolf counsel."
10. **Randolph:** From the Old English words "ræd" (counsel) and "wulf" (wolf), meaning "wolf counsel."
11. **Rangel:** A Spanish surname meaning "pasture."
12. **Rankin:** A Scottish surname meaning "descendant of Ranald."
13. **Rasmussen:** A Danish surname meaning "son of Rasmus."
14. **Ratcliffe:** A variant of Radcliffe, meaning "counsel cliff."
15. **Rathbone:** From an English place name, meaning "settlement on a hill."
16. **Rau:** A German surname meaning "rough" or "wild."
17. **Raven:** From the Old English word "hræfn" (raven), a bird often associated with wisdom and mystery.
18. **Ravenscroft:** From an English place name, meaning "raven's cross."
19. **Rawlings:** A variant of Rawlinson, meaning "son of Rawlin."
20. **Ray:** From the Old English word "reg" (king), meaning "kingly."
21. **Raymond:** From the Old French words "rai" (wise) and "mund" (protection), meaning "wise protection."
22. **Reagan:** An Irish surname meaning "descendant of Ríagain."
23. **Reaves:** From the Old English word "reaf" (clothing), meaning "thief."
24. **Redman:** From the Old English word "read" (red), meaning "red man."
25. **Reed:** From the Old English word "hrēod" (reed), a type of plant.
26. **Reese:** A Welsh surname meaning "ardor" or "fiery."
27. **Reeves:** From the Old English word "gerefa" (reeve), meaning "official."
28. **Reid:** A Scottish surname meaning "red-haired."
29. **Reilly:** An Irish surname meaning "valiant."
30. **Reimer:** A German surname meaning "famous ruler."
31. **Remington:** From an English place name, meaning "homestead near the rim."
32. **Renfro:** A variant of Renfrew, a Scottish place name meaning "alder grove."
33. **Reynolds:** From the Old French words "reine" (queen) and "auld" (old), meaning "old queen."
34. **Rhodes:** From an English place name, meaning "clearing."
35. **Rice:** From the Old English word "rīce" (powerful), meaning "powerful."
36. **Richard:** A German name meaning "strong ruler."
37. **Richmond:** From an English place name, meaning "rich meadow."
38. **Riddle:** From the Old English word "rædel" (riddle), a type of puzzle.
39. **Ridgeway:** From an English place name, meaning "path along a ridge."
40. **Riley:** From an Irish surname meaning "descendant of Ríghle."
41. **Rios:** A Spanish surname meaning "rivers."
42. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname meaning "riverbank."
43. **Roberts:** An English surname meaning "son of Robert."
44. **Robertson:** A Scottish surname meaning "son of Robert."
45. **Robinson:** An English surname meaning "son of Robin."
46. **Robles:** A Spanish surname meaning "oaks."
47. **Rocha:** A Portuguese surname meaning "rock."
48. **Rodgers:** A variant of Rogers, meaning "son of Roger."
49. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous power."
50. **Rogers:** An English surname meaning "son of Roger."
51. **Rojas:** A Spanish surname meaning "red."
52. **Roland:** A German name meaning "famous glory."
53. **Rollins:** From an English place name, meaning "rocky hill."
54. **Roman:** A Latin surname meaning "citizen of Rome."
55. **Romero:** A Spanish surname meaning "pilgrim."
56. **Roper:** From an English occupational name, meaning "one who ropes."
57. **Rose:** From the Old English word "rōs" (rose), a flower symbolizing love and beauty.
58. **Rosenberg:** A German surname meaning "rose mountain."
59. **Ross:** From an English place name, meaning "moor."
60. **Roth:** A German surname meaning "red."
61. **Rounds:** From an English occupational name, meaning "one who makes rounds."
62. **Rourke:** An Irish surname meaning "famous king."
63. **Rowe:** From an English place name, meaning "row of houses."
64. **Rowland:** A variant of Roland, meaning "famous glory."
65. **Roy:** From the French word "roi" (king), meaning "kingly."
66. **Royce:** From an English place name, meaning "royal wood."
67. **Rubin:** A Hebrew surname meaning "ruby."
68. **Rudolph:** A German name meaning "famous wolf."
69. **Ruiz:** A Spanish surname meaning "red."
70. **Russell:** From an English place name, meaning "red hill."
71. **Rutherford:** From an English place name, meaning "Ford by the rough land."
72. **Ryan:** An Irish surname meaning "little king."
73. **Ryder:** From an English occupational name, meaning "one who rides."
74. **Ryley:** A variant of Riley, meaning "descendant of Ríghle."
75. **Rynard:** A German surname meaning "counsel protection."
76. **Ryon:** A variant of Ryan, meaning "little king."
77. **Rys:** A Polish surname meaning "rye."
78. **Rzepczynski:** A Polish surname meaning "one who harvests rye."