Character Last Names: A Guide to Meaningful Monikers

Looking for a memorable and meaningful last name for your character? This list explores the rich history and diverse origins of surnames, offering a wealth of options to inspire your creative endeavors. From classic and elegant to unique and quirky, these last names are ready to be woven into your fictional world, adding depth and personality to your characters.
1. **Abernathy:** A Scottish surname, meaning "from the river of the ash tree."
2. **Ainsworth:** An English surname meaning "from the homestead by the ash tree."
3. **Albright:** A German surname meaning "bright, noble, or famous."
4. **Alder:** An English surname derived from the alder tree, known for its resilience and ability to thrive in wet environments.
5. **Allen:** An English surname meaning "handsome," "noble," or "bright."
6. **Anderson:** A Scottish surname meaning "son of Andrew."
7. **Andrews:** An English surname meaning "son of Andrew."
8. **Armstrong:** A Scottish surname meaning "strong arm" or "powerful arm."
9. **Arnold:** A German surname meaning "strong as a ruler."
10. **Ashby:** An English surname meaning "from the ash tree."
11. **Ashley:** An English surname meaning "ash tree meadow."
12. **Atkinson:** An English surname meaning "son of Atkin."
13. **Austin:** An English surname meaning "from the Augustinian monastery."
14. **Avery:** An English surname meaning "ruler of elves" or "wise leader."
15. **Baker:** An English surname derived from the occupation of baking bread.
16. **Baldwin:** A German surname meaning "bold friend."
17. **Barclay:** A Scottish surname meaning "meadow by the barley field."
18. **Barnes:** An English surname meaning "son of Barnaby."
19. **Barrett:** An English surname meaning "son of Bartholomew."
20. **Barton:** An English surname meaning "barley farm."
21. **Bates:** An English surname meaning "son of Bate."
22. **Baxter:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a baker.
23. **Bell:** An English surname derived from the occupation of bell-making.
24. **Bennett:** An English surname meaning "blessed."
25. **Benson:** An English surname meaning "son of Ben."
26. **Bentley:** An English surname meaning "from the meadow by the bent grass."
27. **Bertram:** A German surname meaning "bright raven."
28. **Blackburn:** An English surname meaning "black burn" or "dark stream."
29. **Blake:** An English surname meaning "black" or "dark."
30. **Bloom:** An English surname meaning "flower."
31. **Bond:** An English surname meaning "farmer" or "tenant."
32. **Booth:** An English surname meaning "small house."
33. **Bowman:** An English surname derived from the occupation of an archer.
34. **Boyd:** A Scottish surname meaning "yellow" or "fair."
35. **Bradley:** An English surname meaning "broad meadow."
36. **Braxton:** An English surname meaning "from the bracken."
37. **Brewer:** An English surname derived from the occupation of brewing beer.
38. **Brooks:** An English surname meaning "from the stream."
39. **Brown:** An English surname meaning "brown hair" or "dark complexion."
40. **Bryant:** An English surname meaning "bright" or "strong."
41. **Buchanan:** A Scottish surname meaning "from the village of the beautiful river."
42. **Burke:** An Irish surname meaning "son of the strong one."
43. **Butler:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a "butler."
44. **Byrne:** An Irish surname meaning "brown" or "dark."
45. **Cameron:** A Scottish surname meaning "bent nose" or "crooked nose."
46. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname meaning "handsome field."
47. **Cannon:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a cannon maker.
48. **Carlisle:** An English surname meaning "fort on the hill."
49. **Carpenter:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a carpenter.
50. **Carson:** An English surname meaning "son of Charles."
51. **Carter:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a cart driver.
52. **Caswell:** An English surname meaning "well by the house."
53. **Chaffin:** An English surname meaning "chaff maker."
54. **Chandler:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a candle maker.
55. **Chapman:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a merchant.
56. **Charles:** A French surname meaning "free man."
57. **Chase:** An English surname meaning "to hunt."
58. **Chevalier:** A French surname meaning "knight."
59. **Churchill:** An English surname meaning "church on the hill."
60. **Clark:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a scribe or clerk.
61. **Clayton:** An English surname meaning "clay town."
62. **Clemens:** A Latin surname meaning "merciful."
63. **Clifford:** An English surname meaning "cliff ford."
64. **Clinton:** An English surname meaning "from the hill."
65. **Cobb:** An English surname meaning "shoemaker."
66. **Cole:** An English surname meaning "coal merchant."
67. **Collins:** An English surname meaning "son of Colin."
68. **Colton:** An English surname meaning "from the cold town."
69. **Conway:** A Welsh surname meaning "valley of the river Conwy."
70. **Cooper:** An English surname derived from the occupation of a barrel maker.
71. **Corbett:** An English surname meaning "raven's nest."
72. **Cordova:** A Spanish surname meaning "heart of the mountain."
73. **Corey:** An English surname meaning "dweller by the marshland."
74. **Crawford:** A Scottish surname meaning "from the place of the crow."
75. **Crenshaw:** An English surname meaning "from the crossroads."
76. **Crosby:** An English surname meaning "cross road."
77. **Cunningham:** A Scottish surname meaning "from the valley of the rabbits."
78. **Curtis:** An English surname meaning "courtly."
79. **Dalton:** An English surname meaning "from the valley."
80. **Daniels:** An English surname meaning "son of Daniel."
81. **Davenport:** An English surname meaning "valley of the deer."
82. **David:** A Hebrew surname meaning "beloved."
83. **Davis:** An English surname meaning "son of David."
84. **Dawson:** An English surname meaning "son of David."
85. **Dean:** An English surname meaning "valley."
86. **Delaney:** An Irish surname meaning "son of the descendant."
87. **Dennis:** A Greek surname meaning "Dionysus."
88. **Derby:** An English surname meaning "deer town."
89. **Devon:** An English surname meaning "from the river Devon."
90. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Diego."
91. **Dickinson:** An English surname meaning "son of Dick."
92. **Dixon:** An English surname meaning "son of Dick."
93. **Dodson:** An English surname meaning "son of Dodd."
94. **Dolan:** An Irish surname meaning "dweller by the hollow."
95. **Donaldson:** A Scottish surname meaning "son of Donald."
96. **Donovan:** An Irish surname meaning "dark warrior."
97. **Douglas:** A Scottish surname meaning "black water."
98. **Dowling:** An Irish surname meaning "son of Dubhghall."
99. **Drake:** An English surname meaning "dragon" or "serpent."
100. **Duncan:** A Scottish surname meaning "dark warrior."