Black Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Meaning and Origin

This page provides a detailed list of common Black last names, exploring their origins and meanings. While many Black last names originated from slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, others have rich histories rooted in Africa and the diaspora. This list helps to uncover the cultural significance and historical context behind these unique and powerful surnames.
1. **Anderson:** A common English surname meaning "son of Andrew." It was often given to African slaves by their owners, and the name gained popularity in the African American community.

2. **Baker:** This surname derives from the English occupation of a baker. It was also given to slaves who were bakers or worked in the baking profession.

3. **Bell:** A surname that can be traced back to several origins, including an English word for "beautiful" or a person who lived near a bell.

4. **Brooks:** A surname meaning "a stream or brook," derived from the English landscape.

5. **Brown:** This common surname comes from the English word for a person with brown hair or complexion.

6. **Butler:** A surname derived from the English occupation of a butler, a servant who managed a household.

7. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth," likely referring to a physical feature of an early ancestor.

8. **Carter:** This surname comes from the English occupation of a carter, who transported goods by cart.

9. **Clark:** Derived from the English occupation of a clerk, a person who worked in a clerical capacity.

10. **Coleman:** A surname meaning "young dove" or "coal merchant," with origins in English and Irish language.

11. **Cook:** This surname is derived from the English occupation of a cook.

12. **Davis:** A surname meaning "son of David," an important figure in the Bible.

13. **Edwards:** This surname means "son of Edward," a popular English name.

14. **Evans:** A surname meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh given name.

15. **Foster:** This surname can mean "one who fosters" or "one who provides care for others."

16. **Franklin:** A surname meaning "free person" or "landowner," with origins in English language.

17. **Garcia:** A common Spanish surname meaning "bear."

18. **Gibson:** This surname means "son of Gilbert," with origins in English language.

19. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a popular name in Spain.

20. **Greene:** This surname means "green" or "from the green land," derived from the English landscape.

21. **Hall:** A surname meaning "large building," likely referring to a prominent residence.

22. **Harris:** This surname means "son of Harry" or "son of Henry," with origins in English language.

23. **Harrison:** A surname meaning "son of Harry" or "son of Henry," with origins in English language.

24. **Hayes:** This surname comes from the English word for "a hedge" or "a thicket."

25. **Henderson:** A surname meaning "son of Henry," with origins in English language.

26. **Henry:** This surname is a direct translation of the English given name "Henry."

27. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a popular name in Spain.

28. **Hill:** This surname comes from the English word for a hill or elevated land.

29. **Jackson:** This surname means "son of Jack," a shortened form of the name "John."

30. **James:** A surname that is a direct translation of the English given name "James."

31. **Jenkins:** A surname meaning "son of Jenkin," a Welsh given name.

32. **Johnson:** This surname means "son of John," a very common English name.

33. **Jones:** A surname meaning "son of John," a popular English name.

34. **Jordan:** This surname derives from the name of the Jordan River in the Middle East.

35. **Kelly:** An Irish surname meaning "bright-haired."

36. **Kennedy:** This surname is of Gaelic origin and means "descendant of the fierce chief."

37. **King:** A surname meaning "ruler," likely referring to a person of high status.

38. **Lee:** A surname derived from the English word for a clearing in a forest or meadow.

39. **Lewis:** A surname meaning "famous warrior," with origins in English language.

40. **Little:** This surname refers to someone of small stature or someone who lived in a small place.

41. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf."

42. **Lucas:** A surname meaning "from the land of Lucania," with origins in Latin language.

43. **Lyons:** A surname meaning "lion" or "lion-hearted," with origins in Irish language.

44. **Martin:** This surname comes from the Latin word "Mars," which is the name of the Roman god of war.

45. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."

46. **Mason:** This surname is derived from the English occupation of a mason, who built with stone.

47. **May:** This surname can refer to someone who was born in the month of May or who lived near a hawthorn tree.

48. **McCoy:** An Irish surname meaning "son of the blacksmith."

49. **McDonald:** A Scottish surname meaning "son of Donald."

50. **McGee:** An Irish surname meaning "son of the servant."

51. **McGuire:** An Irish surname meaning "son of the guide."

52. **Miller:** A surname derived from the English occupation of a miller, who operated a mill.

53. **Mitchell:** A surname meaning "son of Michael," a common English name.

54. **Moore:** This surname means "moor" or "large open area," with origins in English language.

55. **Morgan:** A Welsh surname meaning "sea warrior."

56. **Morris:** A surname meaning "dark-skinned" or "moorish," with origins in English language.

57. **Murphy:** An Irish surname meaning "sea warrior."

58. **Nelson:** A surname meaning "son of Neil," with origins in English language.

59. **Nichols:** This surname means "son of Nicholas," a common English name.

60. **Nixon:** A surname meaning "son of Nicholas," with origins in English language.

61. **Parker:** This surname is derived from the English occupation of a park keeper or someone who lived near a park.

62. **Patterson:** A surname meaning "son of Patrick," a common English name.

63. **Payne:** This surname means "servant" or "one who works for a lord."

64. **Perry:** A surname meaning "pear tree" or "one who lives near a pear tree."

65. **Phillips:** A surname meaning "son of Philip," a common English name.

66. **Porter:** This surname comes from the English occupation of a porter, who carried goods.

67. **Powell:** A surname meaning "one who lives by a pool" or "a ford."

68. **Price:** This surname refers to someone who was a priest or who had a high social status.

69. **Reed:** This surname comes from the English word for a reed, a type of plant that grows in water.

70. **Reynolds:** A surname meaning "son of Reginald," a popular English name.

71. **Rice:** This surname refers to someone who grew or sold rice.

72. **Richardson:** A surname meaning "son of Richard," a common English name.

73. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname meaning "one who lives by the river."

74. **Roberts:** A surname meaning "son of Robert," a popular English name.

75. **Robinson:** This surname means "son of Robin," a shortened form of the name "Robert."

76. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."

77. **Rogers:** A surname meaning "son of Roger," with origins in English language.

78. **Ross:** A surname of Scottish origin meaning "headland" or "promontory."

79. **Russell:** This surname means "red" or "russet-haired," with origins in English language.

80. **Sanders:** A surname meaning "son of Alexander," with origins in English language.

81. **Scott:** A surname of Scottish origin meaning "person from Scotland."

82. **Shaw:** This surname means "wood" or "grove," with origins in English language.

83. **Shepherd:** This surname is derived from the English occupation of a shepherd, who cared for sheep.

84. **Simmons:** A surname meaning "son of Simon," with origins in English language.

85. **Smith:** A surname derived from the English occupation of a smith, who worked with metal.

86. **Snyder:** A German surname meaning "tailor."

87. **Spencer:** This surname means "steward" or "one who dispenses food," with origins in English language.

88. **Stewart:** A Scottish surname meaning "steward."

89. **Stokes:** This surname comes from the English word for a place where water flows.

90. **Stone:** This surname refers to someone who lived near a stone or worked with stone.

91. **Taylor:** A surname derived from the English occupation of a tailor, who made clothes.

92. **Thomas:** A surname that is a direct translation of the English given name "Thomas."

93. **Thompson:** A surname meaning "son of Thomas," with origins in English language.

94. **Turner:** This surname is derived from the English occupation of a turner, who worked with wood.

95. **Walker:** A surname meaning "one who walks" or "one who travels."

96. **Ward:** This surname means "guardian" or "protector."

97. **Washington:** A surname meaning "dwelling near a spring or water source."

98. **Watson:** This surname means "son of Walter," with origins in English language.

99. **Williams:** This surname means "son of William," a very common English name.

100. **Wilson:** This surname means "son of Will," a shortened form of the name "William."