Canadian Last Names: A Comprehensive List

Looking for a comprehensive list of common Canadian last names? This list provides detailed meanings and origins for over 40 Canadian surnames, giving you a fascinating glimpse into the diverse cultural tapestry of Canada. From familiar family names to unique and lesser-known surnames, this resource offers valuable information for genealogy research, name exploration, and cultural understanding.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew. A common surname of Scandinavian origin, brought to Canada by early settlers.
2. **Armstrong:** Strong man from the farm. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in rural areas of Canada.
3. **Baker:** One who makes bread. A common occupational surname, reflecting the importance of baking in early Canadian society.
4. **Barnett:** Little bear. This surname is of English origin, derived from a nickname given to someone with a bear-like personality.
5. **Bell:** A person who rings a bell or lives near a bell tower. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with historic churches.
6. **Bennett:** Son of Benedict. A surname of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
7. **Black:** A person with dark hair or skin. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
8. **Blair:** A field or meadow. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with rolling hills and farmland.
9. **Bouchard:** A person from a fortified place. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
10. **Brown:** A person with brown hair or skin. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
11. **Campbell:** A crooked or curved field. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with rolling hills and farmland.
12. **Caron:** A person from a place with a carr or marsh. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
13. **Carter:** A person who transports goods by cart. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of trade and transportation.
14. **Champagne:** A person from a place with a champagne vineyard. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
15. **Chapman:** A person who buys and sells goods. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of trade.
16. **Clark:** A person who works as a clerk or scribe. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of administration.
17. **Collins:** A person who lives near a colliery or coal mine. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of mining.
18. **Cook:** A person who prepares food. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
19. **Cooper:** A person who makes barrels or casks. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of shipbuilding and woodworking.
20. **Couture:** A person who sews or makes clothes. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
21. **Davies:** Son of David. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
22. **Davis:** Son of David. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
23. **Devereaux:** A person from a place with a deer park. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of hunting and forestry.
24. **Doyle:** A person from a place with a dark hill. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
25. **Edwards:** Son of Edward. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
26. **Elliott:** Son of Elias. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
27. **Evans:** Son of Evan. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
28. **Ferguson:** Son of Fergus. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
29. **Fisher:** A person who catches fish. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of fishing.
30. **Fitzgerald:** Son of Gerald. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
31. **Fleming:** A person from a place with a bend or curve. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with rolling hills and farmland.
32. **Forbes:** A person from a place with a ford. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
33. **Foster:** A person who cares for or raises children. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
34. **Fox:** A person who hunts foxes. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of hunting and forestry.
35. **Francis:** A person from a place with a free land. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
36. **Gagnon:** A person from a place with a wild goose. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
37. **Gardner:** A person who tends a garden. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
38. **Gauthier:** A person from a place with a Gaulish tribe. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
39. **George:** A person from a place with a farmer. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of agriculture.
40. **Girard:** A person from a place with a watchtower. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
41. **Goodman:** A person of good character. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
42. **Graham:** A person from a place with a gray meadow. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with rolling hills and farmland.
43. **Grant:** A person from a place with a large farm. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a long history of agriculture.
44. **Gray:** A person with gray hair. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
45. **Green:** A person who lives near a green field. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
46. **Guindon:** A person from a place with a leader or guide. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
47. **Hall:** A person who lives near a large house or hall. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
48. **Hamilton:** A person from a place with a ford or crossing. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a long history of trade and transportation.
49. **Harris:** Son of Harry. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
50. **Harvey:** A person from a place with a wild boar. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of hunting and forestry.
51. **Hawkins:** Son of Hawk. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of falconry.
52. **Hayes:** A person from a place with a hedgerow. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
53. **Henderson:** Son of Henry. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
54. **Henry:** Ruler of the house. This surname is of German origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
55. **Herbert:** Bright army. This surname is of German origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
56. **Hill:** A person who lives near a hill. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of farming.
57. **Hodges:** Son of Hugh. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
58. **Holmes:** A person from a place with a holm or island. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of fishing.
59. **Howard:** A person from a place with a high wood. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
60. **Hunter:** A person who hunts wild animals. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of hunting and forestry.
61. **Jackson:** Son of Jack. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
62. **James:** Supplanter. This surname is of Hebrew origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
63. **Jenkins:** Son of Jenkin. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
64. **Johnson:** Son of John. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
65. **Jones:** Son of John. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
66. **Jordan:** A person from a place with a flowing river. This surname is of Hebrew origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
67. **Kennedy:** Fiery head. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
68. **King:** A person who rules a country or kingdom. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
69. **Knight:** A person who serves as a mounted warrior. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of warfare.
70. **Lapointe:** A person from a place with a pointed rock. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
71. **Lawrence:** A man from the laurel grove. This surname is of Latin origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
72. **Lee:** A person from a meadow. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of farming.
73. **Lewis:** A person from a place with a burial mound. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
74. **Lindsay:** A person from a place with a limewood. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
75. **Little:** A person of small stature. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
76. **Lloyd:** Gray or silver. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
77. **Logan:** A person from a place with a hollow. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
78. **Long:** A person of tall stature. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a long history of farming.
79. **MacDonald:** Son of Donald. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
80. **MacKenzie:** Son of Kenneth. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
81. **Martin:** A person from a place with a marshy area. This surname is of Latin origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
82. **Mason:** A person who works with stone. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of construction.
83. **Matthews:** Son of Matthew. This surname is of Hebrew origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
84. **May:** A person from a place with a hawthorn bush. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
85. **McCarthy:** Son of Cú Chulainn, a legendary Irish warrior. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
86. **McCormick:** Son of Cormac. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
87. **McGregor:** Son of Gregor. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
88. **McIntyre:** Son of Andrew. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
89. **McKinley:** Son of Donald. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
90. **McLellan:** Son of Allan. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
91. **Mercer:** A person who sells cloth. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade.
92. **Miller:** A person who grinds grain. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
93. **Mitchell:** Son of Michael. This surname is of Hebrew origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
94. **Moore:** A person from a place with a moorland. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
95. **Morgan:** Sea defender. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
96. **Morris:** Son of Maurice. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
97. **Murphy:** Sea warrior. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
98. **Nelson:** Son of Neil. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
99. **Newell:** New well. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
100. **Nichols:** Son of Nicholas. This surname is of Greek origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
101. **Norman:** Norseman. This surname is of French origin, often found in areas with a history of French immigration.
102. **O'Brien:** Descendant of Brian. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
103. **Oliver:** Olive tree. This surname is of Latin origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
104. **Page:** A person who works for a nobleman or lord. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
105. **Palmer:** A person who carries a palm branch. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of pilgrimage.
106. **Parker:** A person who keeps a park. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
107. **Patterson:** Son of Patrick. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
108. **Paul:** Small. This surname is of Latin origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
109. **Payne:** A person who works as a baker. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
110. **Pearson:** Son of Peter. This surname is of Greek origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
111. **Perry:** A person from a place with a pear orchard. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
112. **Phillips:** Son of Philip. This surname is of Greek origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
113. **Pierce:** A person from a place with a pier. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of fishing.
114. **Piper:** A person who plays the pipe. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of music.
115. **Porter:** A person who works as a doorkeeper. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
116. **Powell:** A person from a place with a pool. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
117. **Price:** A person who works as a priest. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of religion.
118. **Pritchard:** Son of Price. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
119. **Quinn:** A person from a place with a descendant. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
120. **Reid:** Red haired. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
121. **Reynolds:** Son of Reginald. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
122. **Rice:** A person from a place with rice paddies. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
123. **Richards:** Son of Richard. This surname is of German origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
124. **Robertson:** Son of Robert. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of Scottish immigration.
125. **Robinson:** Son of Robin. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
126. **Rogers:** A person from a place with a famous row. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
127. **Ross:** A person from a place with a headland. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of fishing.
128. **Roy:** A person from a place with a king. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
129. **Russell:** Red haired. This surname is of French origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
130. **Ryan:** A person from a place with a little king. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
131. **Salisbury:** A person from a place with a willow tree. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
132. **Samson:** A person who listens. This surname is of Hebrew origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
133. **Saunders:** A person from a place with a shepherd. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
134. **Scott:** A person from a place with a wooded area. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
135. **Sears:** A person from a place with a seat. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
136. **Shaw:** A person from a place with a thicket. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
137. **Shepherd:** A person who cares for sheep. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
138. **Simmons:** Son of Simon. This surname is of Hebrew origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
139. **Simpson:** Son of Simon. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
140. **Smith:** A person who works with metal. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
141. **Snow:** A person who lives near a snowy area. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
142. **Spencer:** A person from a place with a storehouse. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade.
143. **Stewart:** Steward. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of aristocracy.
144. **Stone:** A person who works with stone. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of construction.
145. **Strong:** A person with physical strength. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
146. **Sullivan:** A person from a place with a black eye. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
147. **Taylor:** A person who cuts cloth. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade.
148. **Thomas:** Twin. This surname is of Aramaic origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
149. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
150. **Thornton:** A person from a place with a thorny thicket. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
151. **Turner:** A person who works with wood. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of woodworking.
152. **Tyler:** A person who makes tiles. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of construction.
153. **Underwood:** A person who lives near a wood. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of forestry.
154. **Valois:** A person from a place with a valley. This surname is of French origin, common in Quebec and other French-speaking communities in Canada.
155. **Vance:** A person from a place with a meadow. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
156. **Vaughan:** A person from a place with a valley. This surname is of Welsh origin, often found in areas with a history of Welsh immigration.
157. **Vincent:** A person who conquers. This surname is of Latin origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
158. **Walker:** A person who travels on foot. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade and transportation.
159. **Wallace:** A person from a place with a wall. This surname is of Scottish origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
160. **Walsh:** A person from a place with a wooded area. This surname is of Irish origin, often found in areas with a history of Irish immigration.
161. **Walter:** Army ruler. This surname is of German origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
162. **Ward:** A person who guards a place. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of warfare.
163. **Warren:** A person from a place with a rabbit warren. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of hunting and forestry.
164. **Watson:** Son of Walter. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
165. **Weaver:** A person who weaves cloth. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade.
166. **Webster:** A person who weaves cloth. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of trade.
167. **Wells:** A person who lives near a spring. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
168. **West:** A person who lives in the west. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of agriculture.
169. **White:** A person with white hair. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
170. **Williams:** Son of William. This surname is of German origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
171. **Wilson:** Son of William. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.
172. **Wright:** A person who works with wood. This surname is of English origin, often found in areas with a history of woodworking.
173. **Young:** A person of young age. This surname is of English origin, common in both urban and rural areas of Canada.