Last Name: Meaning and Origin

Wondering about the meaning behind your last name? Last names, also known as surnames, are an integral part of our identity, often holding clues to our ancestors' origins, professions, or even physical characteristics. This comprehensive list explores the meanings of hundreds of common last names, providing insights into their history and significance.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname, meaning "blacksmith" or "metalworker."
2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John."
3. **Williams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William."
4. **Brown:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with brown hair or complexion.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John."
6. **Miller:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who grinds grain."
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David."
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "bear."
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo."
10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William."
11. **Moore:** A topographic surname, meaning "moorland" or "swamp."
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname, meaning "tailor."
13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Andrew."
14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas."
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jack."
16. **White:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with fair hair or complexion.
17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry."
18. **Martin:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Martin."
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas."
20. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "bear."
21. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Martin."
22. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robin."
23. **Clark:** An occupational surname, meaning "scribe" or "clerk."
24. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Louis."
25. **Lee:** A topographic surname, meaning "clearing in a forest."
26. **Walker:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who walks or travels."
27. **Hall:** A topographic surname, meaning "a large house."
28. **Allen:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alan."
29. **Young:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone who is young.
30. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Hernando."
31. **King:** An occupational surname, meaning "ruler" or "monarch."
32. **Wright:** An occupational surname, meaning "craftsman" or "builder."
33. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "wolf."
34. **Hill:** A topographic surname, meaning "a small hill."
35. **Scott:** A topographic surname, meaning "a wooded valley."
36. **Green:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with green hair or complexion.
37. **Adams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Adam."
38. **Baker:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who bakes bread."
39. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Gonzalo."
40. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil."
41. **Carter:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who transports goods by cart."
42. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Michael."
43. **Perez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "Peter."
44. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robert."
45. **Turner:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who works with wood."
46. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Philip."
47. **Campbell:** A topographic surname, meaning "crooked field."
48. **Parker:** An occupational surname, meaning "keeper of a park."
49. **Evans:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Evan."
50. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Edward."
51. **Collins:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Colin."
52. **Stewart:** An occupational surname, meaning "steward" or "overseer."
53. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "Saint John."
54. **Morris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Maurice."
55. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Roger."
56. **Reed:** A topographic surname, meaning "a marsh" or "reed bed."
57. **Cook:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who prepares food."
58. **Morgan:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Mor."
59. **Bell:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who makes or sells bells."
60. **Murphy:** An Irish surname, meaning "sea warrior."
61. **Bailey:** A topographic surname, meaning "bailiff's court."
62. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname, meaning "river."
63. **Cooper:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who makes barrels."
64. **Richardson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Richard."
65. **Cox:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who drives a cart."
66. **Howard:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Hugh."
67. **Ward:** A topographic surname, meaning "guardian" or "protector."
68. **Torres:** A Spanish surname, meaning "towers."
69. **Peterson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Peter."
70. **Gray:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with gray hair or complexion.
71. **James:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of James."
72. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David."
73. **Shaw:** A topographic surname, meaning "a wooded area."
74. **Holmes:** A topographic surname, meaning "hollow" or "valley."
75. **Hunter:** An occupational surname, meaning "one who hunts."
76. **Black:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with dark hair or complexion.
77. **Barnes:** A topographic surname, meaning "a barley field."
78. **Bennett:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Benedict."
79. **McLaughlin:** An Irish surname, meaning "son of the young warrior."
80. **Franklin:** A topographic surname, meaning "free land."
81. **Donovan:** An Irish surname, meaning "dark-haired warrior."
82. **Armstrong:** An English surname, meaning "strong arm."
83. **Harrison:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry."
84. **Butler:** An occupational surname, meaning "court official."
85. **Mcdonald:** A Scottish surname, meaning "son of Donald."
86. **Reynolds:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Reginald."
87. **Griffin:** A descriptive surname, referring to a griffin, a mythical creature.
88. **Hayes:** A topographic surname, meaning "hedged enclosure."
89. **Powell:** A topographic surname, meaning "hill" or "mound."
90. **Ross:** A topographic surname, meaning "headland" or "promontory."
91. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Martin."
92. **Patterson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Patrick."
93. **Marshall:** An occupational surname, meaning "horse keeper."
94. **Owen:** A Welsh surname, meaning "noble" or "well-born."
95. **Morrow:** A topographic surname, meaning "morning."
96. **Spencer:** An occupational surname, meaning "steward" or "keeper."
97. **Long:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone who is tall.
98. **Harvey:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Hervey."
99. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname, meaning "day."
100. **Fernandez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Fernando."