Awesome Last Names for Guys: Strong, Unique, and Meaningful

Looking for the perfect last name for your male character? Whether you're writing a novel, crafting a video game, or simply brainstorming ideas, a good last name can add depth and personality to your creation. We've compiled a list of awesome last names for guys, encompassing a range of origins and meanings, from strong and powerful to unique and intriguing. Explore this list and find the perfect fit for your next male character!
1. **Abernathy:** From the Gaelic "abhain" (river) and "ath" (ford), meaning "river crossing" or "ford of the river."
2. **Ainsworth:** Meaning "worth of one's own," often used as a surname for those who lived alone or were independent.
3. **Aldridge:** From the Old English "eald" (old) and "hrycg" (ridge), meaning "old ridge."
4. **Arden:** Meaning "valley of the eagle" or "valley of the Ardennes," a region in France.
5. **Ashford:** From the Old English "æsc" (ash tree) and "ford" (crossing), meaning "ford by the ash tree."
6. **Audley:** Meaning "old clearing" or "old meadow," derived from the Old English "ald" (old) and "leah" (clearing).
7. **Barlow:** From the Old English "bearu" (wood) and "hlāw" (hill), meaning "hill in the wood."
8. **Bartholomew:** Meaning "son of Talmai," derived from the Aramaic "talmay" (furrow) or "ploughman."
9. **Beaumont:** From the Old French "bel" (beautiful) and "mont" (mountain), meaning "beautiful mountain."
10. **Beckett:** Meaning "small stream" or "brook," derived from the Old English "bece" (brook).
11. **Belmont:** Meaning "beautiful mountain," derived from the Old French "bel" (beautiful) and "mont" (mountain).
12. **Blackwood:** Meaning "black wood" or "dark forest," derived from the Old English "blæc" (black) and "wud" (wood).
13. **Bolton:** From the Old English "bol" (building) and "tun" (settlement), meaning "building town."
14. **Bowman:** Meaning "archer" or "bow maker," derived from the Old English "boga" (bow).
15. **Braxton:** From the Old English "bræc" (bracken) and "tun" (settlement), meaning "settlement by the bracken."
16. **Bridgewater:** Meaning "bridge over the water," derived from the Old English "brig" (bridge) and "wæter" (water).
17. **Brooks:** Meaning "brook" or "small stream," derived from the Old English "brōc" (brook).
18. **Cameron:** From the Gaelic "cam" (crooked) and "sròn" (nose), meaning "crooked nose."
19. **Campbell:** From the Gaelic "caman" (crooked) and "beul" (mouth), meaning "crooked mouth."
20. **Carlisle:** Meaning "fort on the hill" or "fortified town," derived from the Old English "ceaster" (fort) and "leah" (clearing).
21. **Carter:** Meaning "cart driver," derived from the Old English "cræt" (cart).
22. **Cavendish:** Meaning "valley of the oaks," derived from the Old French "cavan" (oak) and "dissen" (valley).
23. **Chandler:** Meaning "candle maker," derived from the Old French "chandelier" (candlestick).
24. **Chapman:** Meaning "merchant" or "trader," derived from the Old English "ceapman" (merchant).
25. **Clayton:** From the Old English "clæ" (clay) and "tun" (settlement), meaning "settlement by the clay."
26. **Colby:** From the Old English "cole" (coal) and "by" (settlement), meaning "settlement by the coal."
27. **Coleman:** Meaning "dove man" or "dove keeper," derived from the Old English "col" (dove).
28. **Cooper:** Meaning "barrel maker," derived from the Old French "coper" (barrel maker).
29. **Crawford:** From the Old English "cræft" (craft) and "ford" (crossing), meaning "ford of craft."
30. **Cunningham:** Meaning "son of Conan," derived from the Gaelic "conán" (wolf).
31. **Dalton:** From the Old English "dæl" (valley) and "tun" (settlement), meaning "settlement in the valley."
32. **Davidson:** Meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew "david" (beloved).
33. **Davis:** Meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew "david" (beloved).
34. **Devereaux:** Meaning "son of the wolf," derived from the Old French "de" (of) and "louvre" (wolf).
35. **Dixon:** Meaning "son of Dick," a nickname for Richard, derived from the Old English "ric" (powerful) and "heard" (strong).
36. **Edwards:** Meaning "wealthy guardian" or "prosperous protector," derived from the Old English "eald" (old) and "weard" (guardian).
37. **Evans:** Meaning "son of Evan," derived from the Welsh "euan" (born of the yew tree).
38. **Everett:** Meaning "strong boar," derived from the Old English "eofor" (boar) and "heard" (strong).
39. **Fairchild:** Meaning "beautiful child," derived from the Old English "fæger" (beautiful) and "cild" (child).
40. **Farrell:** From the Gaelic "fearghal" (brave man), meaning "valiant warrior."
41. **Fenton:** From the Old English "fægen" (happy) and "tun" (settlement), meaning "settlement of the happy."
42. **Fitzgerald:** Meaning "son of Gerald," derived from the Germanic "ger" (spear) and "wald" (ruler).
43. **Fletcher:** Meaning "arrow maker," derived from the Old English "fleccan" (to weave).
44. **Ford:** Meaning "crossing over water," derived from the Old English "ford" (crossing).
45. **Fox:** Meaning "sly" or "cunning," derived from the Old English "fox" (fox).
46. **Franklin:** Meaning "freeholder" or "landowner," derived from the Old French "franc" (free) and "leigne" (land).
47. **Frederick:** Meaning "peaceful ruler," derived from the Germanic "fridu" (peace) and "ric" (powerful).
48. **Garner:** Meaning "granary" or "storehouse," derived from the Old French "garnier" (to furnish).
49. **Garrett:** Meaning "spear man," derived from the Germanic "geri" (spear).
50. **Gibson:** Meaning "son of Gib," a nickname for Gilbert, derived from the Germanic "gisl" (pledge) and "berht" (bright).
51. **Gilbert:** Meaning "bright pledge," derived from the Germanic "gisl" (pledge) and "berht" (bright).
52. **Gill:** Meaning "valley" or "ravine," derived from the Old English "gill" (valley).
53. **Goldman:** Meaning "gold man," derived from the Old English "gold" (gold) and "mann" (man).
54. **Graham:** From the Gaelic "gràm" (love) and "amh" (mouth), meaning "love of the mouth."
55. **Grant:** Meaning "big" or "tall," derived from the Old French "grant" (big).
56. **Gray:** Meaning "gray" or "silver-haired," derived from the Old English "græg" (gray).
57. **Greenwood:** Meaning "green wood" or "forest," derived from the Old English "grēne" (green) and "wud" (wood).
58. **Hamilton:** Meaning "dweller on the hill," derived from the Old English "ham" (home) and "tun" (settlement) and "hill" (hill).
59. **Hardy:** Meaning "brave" or "strong," derived from the Old English "heard" (strong).
60. **Hawkins:** Meaning "son of Hawk," a nickname for a person who was skilled at hunting, derived from the Old English "hafoc" (hawk).
61. **Heath:** Meaning "open land," derived from the Old English "hæth" (open land).
62. **Henderson:** Meaning "son of Henry," derived from the Germanic "heim" (home) and "ric" (powerful).
63. **Henry:** Meaning "ruler of the house," derived from the Germanic "heim" (home) and "ric" (powerful).
64. **Hewitt:** Meaning "white" or "bright," derived from the Old English "hwit" (white).
65. **Higgins:** Meaning "son of Hugh," derived from the Germanic "hugh" (mind) and "góð" (good).
66. **Hill:** Meaning "hill," derived from the Old English "hyll" (hill).
67. **Holmes:** Meaning "elm tree" or "hollow," derived from the Old English "holm" (elm tree).
68. **Howard:** Meaning "brave guardian," derived from the Old English "heard" (strong) and "weard" (guardian).
69. **Hunter:** Meaning "one who hunts," derived from the Old English "hunta" (hunter).
70. **Jackson:** Meaning "son of Jack," a nickname for John, derived from the Hebrew "yochanan" (God is gracious).
71. **James:** Meaning "supplanter" or "he who takes the place of another," derived from the Hebrew "ya'aqov" (supplanter).
72. **Jefferson:** Meaning "son of Jeffrey," derived from the Germanic "geof" (God) and "fridu" (peace).
73. **Jenkins:** Meaning "son of Jenkin," a nickname for John, derived from the Hebrew "yochanan" (God is gracious).
74. **Johnson:** Meaning "son of John," derived from the Hebrew "yochanan" (God is gracious).
75. **Jones:** Meaning "son of John," derived from the Hebrew "yochanan" (God is gracious).
76. **Jordan:** Meaning "to descend" or "to flow down," derived from the Hebrew "yarden" (to descend).
77. **Keller:** Meaning "cellar" or "underground room," derived from the Old German "keller" (cellar).
78. **Kennedy:** Meaning "fiery head," derived from the Gaelic "cain" (fiery) and "eideann" (head).
79. **Kent:** Meaning "white land" or "chalky region," derived from the Old English "cynn" (race) and "t" (boundary).
80. **King:** Meaning "ruler," derived from the Old English "cyning" (king).
81. **Knight:** Meaning "warrior" or "mounted soldier," derived from the Old English "cniht" (warrior).
82. **Knox:** Meaning "hill" or "knoll," derived from the Old English "cnoll" (knoll).
83. **Lambert:** Meaning "bright land," derived from the Germanic "land" (land) and "berht" (bright).
84. **Lancaster:** Meaning "land of the Lancasters," a family name that originated in England.
85. **Lawrence:** Meaning "laurel wreath" or "one who is adorned," derived from the Latin "laurens" (laurel).
86. **Lee:** Meaning "clearing" or "meadow," derived from the Old English "leah" (clearing).
87. **Leonard:** Meaning "lion-hearted" or "brave," derived from the Germanic "leon" (lion) and "heard" (strong).
88. **Lewis:** Meaning "famous warrior," derived from the French "louis" (famous warrior).
89. **Lincoln:** Meaning "settlement by the pool," derived from the Old English "linn" (pool) and "coln" (settlement).
90. **Lloyd:** Meaning "gray" or "silver-haired," derived from the Welsh "llwyd" (gray).
91. **Logan:** Meaning "little hollow," derived from the Gaelic "log" (hollow).
92. **Long:** Meaning "long," derived from the Old English "lang" (long).
93. **Lopez:** Meaning "wolf," derived from the Spanish "lobo" (wolf).
94. **Lucas:** Meaning "light" or "bringer of light," derived from the Latin "lux" (light).
95. **MacDonald:** Meaning "son of Donald," derived from the Gaelic "donnchadh" (dark-haired warrior).
96. **Madison:** Meaning "son of Matthew," derived from the Hebrew "mattityahu" (gift of Yahweh).
97. **Malcolm:** Meaning "devotee of Columba," derived from the Gaelic "maol" (bald) and "colm" (dove).
98. **Manning:** Meaning "son of Mann," derived from the Old English "mann" (man).
99. **Marsh:** Meaning "wetland" or "swamp," derived from the Old English "mersc" (marsh).
100. **Martin:** Meaning "war god," derived from the Roman god Mars.
101. **Mason:** Meaning "stone cutter" or "builder," derived from the Old English "mæson" (mason).
102. **Maxwell:** Meaning "great meadow," derived from the Old English "magu" (great) and "field" (field).
103. **McCarthy:** Meaning "son of Carthaigh," derived from the Irish "carthach" (loving).
104. **McGregor:** Meaning "son of Gregor," derived from the Greek "georgios" (farmer).
105. **McKenzie:** Meaning "son of Kenneth," derived from the Gaelic "coinneach" (handsome).
106. **Miller:** Meaning "one who grinds grain," derived from the Old English "mylnere" (miller).
107. **Mitchell:** Meaning "son of Michael," derived from the Hebrew "mi'kha'el" (who is like God?).
108. **Moore:** Meaning "moor" or "open land," derived from the Old English "mōr" (moor).
109. **Morgan:** Meaning "sea warrior," derived from the Welsh "mor" (sea) and "gan" (born).
110. **Morris:** Meaning "dark-skinned" or "Moorish," derived from the Old French "maurice" (Moorish).
111. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior," derived from the Irish "murchadh" (sea warrior).
112. **Nelson:** Meaning "son of Neil," derived from the Gaelic "neill" (champion).
113. **Newton:** Meaning "new settlement," derived from the Old English "niwe" (new) and "tun" (settlement).
114. **Nolan:** Meaning "champion" or "noble," derived from the Irish "ó nuallain" (descendant of Nuallain).
115. **Norman:** Meaning "Norseman" or "man from the north," derived from the Old Norse "normann" (Norseman).
116. **Oliver:** Meaning "olive tree" or "olive branch," derived from the Latin "oliva" (olive tree).
117. **Owen:** Meaning "noble" or "well-born," derived from the Welsh "owen" (noble).
118. **Palmer:** Meaning "pilgrim" or "one who brings back palm branches," derived from the Latin "palma" (palm tree).
119. **Parker:** Meaning "park keeper" or "keeper of the enclosure," derived from the Old French "parc" (park).
120. **Patterson:** Meaning "son of Patrick," derived from the Latin "patricius" (nobleman).
121. **Payne:** Meaning "baker," derived from the Old French "pain" (bread).
122. **Pearson:** Meaning "son of Peter," derived from the Greek "petros" (stone).
123. **Perry:** Meaning "pear tree," derived from the Old English "pere" (pear tree).
124. **Phillips:** Meaning "son of Philip," derived from the Greek "philos" (lover) and "hippos" (horse).
125. **Pierce:** Meaning "piercing" or "sharp," derived from the French "pierce" (piercing).
126. **Porter:** Meaning "gatekeeper" or "doorkeeper," derived from the Old French "porte" (gate).
127. **Powell:** Meaning "one who lives at the pool," derived from the Welsh "pwll" (pool).
128. **Preston:** Meaning "priest's town," derived from the Old English "prēost" (priest) and "tun" (settlement).
129. **Price:** Meaning "one who has power" or "one who is in authority," derived from the Welsh "prid" (power).
130. **Quinn:** Meaning "descendant of Conn," a legendary Irish king, derived from the Irish "conn" (wise).
131. **Randall:** Meaning "counsel" or "protector," derived from the Old German "rand" (counsel) and "wald" (ruler).
132. **Ray:** Meaning "ray of light," derived from the Old English "ra" (ray).
133. **Reed:** Meaning "reed" or "marsh plant," derived from the Old English "reed" (reed).
134. **Reeves:** Meaning "steward" or "manager," derived from the Old English "rēfa" (steward).
135. **Reynolds:** Meaning "son of Reynold," derived from the Germanic "regin" (advice) and "wald" (ruler).
136. **Rice:** Meaning "powerful ruler," derived from the Old English "rīce" (powerful) and "cyning" (king).
137. **Richards:** Meaning "powerful ruler," derived from the Old English "ric" (powerful) and "heard" (strong).
138. **Ridley:** Meaning "clearing in the wood," derived from the Old English "ridan" (to ride) and "leah" (clearing).
139. **Riley:** Meaning "rye field," derived from the Old English "ryge" (rye) and "leah" (clearing).
140. **Rivera:** Meaning "riverbank," derived from the Spanish "río" (river).
141. **Roberts:** Meaning "bright fame," derived from the Germanic "hrod" (fame) and "berht" (bright).
142. **Robertson:** Meaning "son of Robert," derived from the Germanic "hrod" (fame) and "berht" (bright).
143. **Robinson:** Meaning "son of Robin," a nickname for Robert, derived from the Germanic "hrod" (fame) and "berht" (bright).
144. **Rogers:** Meaning "famous spear man," derived from the Germanic "hrod" (fame) and "geri" (spear).
145. **Roland:** Meaning "famous land," derived from the Germanic "hrod" (fame) and "land" (land).
146. **Romero:** Meaning "pilgrim" or "one who goes on a pilgrimage," derived from the Spanish "romero" (pilgrim).
147. **Rose:** Meaning "rose," derived from the Old English "rose" (rose).
148. **Ross:** Meaning "headland" or "promontory," derived from the Gaelic "ros" (headland).
149. **Rowan:** Meaning "little redhead," derived from the Gaelic "ruadh" (red) and "án" (little).
150. **Russell:** Meaning "red fox," derived from the Old French "roussel" (red fox).
151. **Ryan:** Meaning "little king" or "small king," derived from the Irish "rí" (king).
152. **Salvatore:** Meaning "savior," derived from the Latin "salvator" (savior).
153. **Sanders:** Meaning "son of Alexander," derived from the Greek "alexandros" (defender of mankind).
154. **Sawyer:** Meaning "woodcutter," derived from the Old English "sagor" (sawyer).
155. **Schultz:** Meaning "steward" or "manager," derived from the German "schultheiß" (steward).
156. **Scott:** Meaning "from Scotland," derived from the Old English "Scot" (Scot).
157. **Seaton:** Meaning "settlement at the sea," derived from the Old English "sæ" (sea) and "tun" (settlement).
158. **Shaw:** Meaning "wood" or "grove," derived from the Old English "scēa" (wood).
159. **Shepherd:** Meaning "one who herds sheep," derived from the Old English "sċēp" (sheep) and "heard" (guardian).
160. **Sherman:** Meaning "one who cuts wood" or "woodcutter," derived from the Old English "sċierman" (woodcutter).
161. **Simmons:** Meaning "son of Simon," derived from the Hebrew "shemon" (he has heard).
162. **Simpson:** Meaning "son of Simon," derived from the Hebrew "shemon" (he has heard).
163. **Smith:** Meaning "blacksmith" or "metalworker," derived from the Old English "smið" (blacksmith).
164. **Snyder:** Meaning "shoemaker," derived from the German "schneider" (shoemaker).
165. **Solomon:** Meaning "peaceful," derived from the Hebrew "shelomoh" (peaceful).
166. **Spencer:** Meaning "treasurer" or "steward," derived from the Old French "espensier" (treasurer).
167. **Stanley:** Meaning "stone clearing" or "stone meadow," derived from the Old English "stān" (stone) and "leah" (clearing).
168. **Steele:** Meaning "steel" or "iron," derived from the Old English "stēl" (steel).
169. **Stevens:** Meaning "crown" or "garland," derived from the Old English "stefen" (crown).
170. **Stewart:** Meaning "steward" or "manager," derived from the Old English "stiward" (steward).
171. **Stone:** Meaning "stone," derived from the Old English "stān" (stone).
172. **Sullivan:** Meaning "black-eyed," derived from the Irish "suilleabhain" (black-eyed).
173. **Taylor:** Meaning "tailor," derived from the Old French "tailleur" (tailor).
174. **Thomas:** Meaning "twin," derived from the Aramaic "ta'oma" (twin).
175. **Thompson:** Meaning "son of Thomas," derived from the Aramaic "ta'oma" (twin).
176. **Thornton:** Meaning "settlement by the thorns," derived from the Old English "þorn" (thorn) and "tun" (settlement).
177. **Turner:** Meaning "one who turns wood," derived from the Old English "turnere" (turner).
178. **Tyler:** Meaning "tile maker," derived from the Old English "tīgele" (tile).
179. **Underwood:** Meaning "under the wood" or "in the forest," derived from the Old English "under" (under) and "wud" (wood).
180. **Valentine:** Meaning "strong and healthy," derived from the Latin "valentinus" (strong and healthy).
181. **Vance:** Meaning "victory," derived from the Old French "vance" (victory).
182. **Vaughn:** Meaning "small valley," derived from the Welsh "fawn" (small valley).
183. **Vega:** Meaning "bright star," derived from the Spanish "vega" (bright star).
184. **Velasquez:** Meaning "little lamb," derived from the Spanish "vellón" (lamb).
185. **Vernon:** Meaning "alder tree," derived from the Old English "wern" (alder tree).
186. **Victor:** Meaning "conqueror," derived from the Latin "victor" (conqueror).
187. **Vincent:** Meaning "conquering" or "victorious," derived from the Latin "vincens" (conquering).
188. **Wade:** Meaning "ford" or "crossing," derived from the Old English "wæd" (ford).
189. **Walker:** Meaning "one who walks," derived from the Old English "wealcan" (to walk).
190. **Wallace:** Meaning "Welshman," derived from the Old English "walh" (Welshman).
191. **Walter:** Meaning "ruler of the army," derived from the Germanic "walda" (rule) and "heri" (army).
192. **Warren:** Meaning "enclosure for rabbits," derived from the Old French "warren" (enclosure for rabbits).
193. **Washington:** Meaning "settlement at the water," derived from the Old English "wæter" (water) and "tun" (settlement).
194. **Watson:** Meaning "son of Walter," derived from the Germanic "walda" (rule) and "heri" (army).
195. **Weaver:** Meaning "one who weaves," derived from the Old English "wefan" (to weave).
196. **Webster:** Meaning "weaver," derived from the Old English "webster" (weaver).
197. **Wells:** Meaning "springs" or "wells," derived from the Old English "well" (well).
198. **Weston:** Meaning "western settlement," derived from the Old English "west" (west) and "tun" (settlement).
199. **Wheeler:** Meaning "one who makes wheels," derived from the Old English "hweol" (wheel).
200. **White:** Meaning "white," derived from the Old English "hwit" (white).
201. **Williams:** Meaning "resolute protector," derived from the Germanic "wil" (will) and "helm" (helmet).
202. **Wilson:** Meaning "son of William," derived from the Germanic "wil" (will) and "helm" (helmet).
203. **Winchester:** Meaning "settlement of the white men," derived from the Old English "hwit" (white) and "ceaster" (fort).
204. **Winston:** Meaning "cheerful settlement," derived from the Old English "wyn" (joy) and "tun" (settlement).
205. **Wood:** Meaning "wood" or "forest," derived from the Old English "wud" (wood).
206. **Wright:** Meaning "craftsman," derived from the Old English "wyrhta" (craftsman).
207. **Wyatt:** Meaning "brave in war," derived from the Old English "wig" (war) and "heard" (strong).
208. **Young:** Meaning "young," derived from the Old English "geong" (young).
209. **Zachary:** Meaning "Yahweh has remembered," derived from the Hebrew "zekharyah" (Yahweh has remembered).
210. **Zimmerman:** Meaning "woodsman" or "farmer," derived from the German "zimmer" (room) and "mann" (man).