Common African American Last Names: A Comprehensive List

This article provides a comprehensive list of common African American last names, along with their meanings. These surnames often reflect the history and cultural heritage of Black Americans, spanning from their African roots to their experiences in the United States. Understanding these names can offer valuable insights into the rich and diverse history of the African American community.
1. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew."
2. **Bailey:** A topographic surname meaning "bailiff," a person who holds an office in a court.
3. **Baker:** An occupational surname for someone who bakes bread.
4. **Bell:** A topographic surname meaning "a bell-shaped hill."
5. **Bennett:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Benedict."
6. **Black:** A descriptive surname referring to dark color, often linked to skin color.
7. **Blackmon:** A surname of unknown origin, potentially a variant of Blackman.
8. **Blake:** A topographic surname meaning "a black rock or cliff."
9. **Brown:** A descriptive surname referring to the color brown.
10. **Bryant:** A topographic surname meaning "a place where broom bushes grow."
11. **Butler:** An occupational surname meaning "a servant or steward."
12. **Campbell:** A topographic surname meaning "a curved valley or meadow."
13. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who transported goods using a cart.
14. **Clark:** An occupational surname meaning "a scholar or cleric."
15. **Clayton:** A topographic surname meaning "a clay-like place."
16. **Cole:** An occupational surname meaning "coal merchant" or "charcoal burner."
17. **Coleman:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Coleman."
18. **Collins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Colin."
19. **Cook:** An occupational surname for someone who prepares food.
20. **Cooper:** An occupational surname for someone who makes barrels or casks.
21. **Davis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of David."
22. **Daniels:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Daniel."
23. **Dixon:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with ditches or dykes."
24. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Edward."
25. **Evans:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Evan."
26. **Foster:** An occupational surname meaning "a guardian or foster parent."
27. **Franklin:** A topographic surname meaning "a free land."
28. **Freeman:** An occupational surname meaning "a free man."
29. **Gibson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Gilbert."
30. **Gordon:** A topographic surname meaning "a wooded valley."
31. **Gray:** A descriptive surname referring to the color gray.
32. **Green:** A descriptive surname referring to the color green.
33. **Hall:** A topographic surname meaning "a large building or manor."
34. **Harris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry."
35. **Harrison:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry."
36. **Hawkins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hawk."
37. **Henderson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Henry."
38. **Henry:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Henry."
39. **Hill:** A topographic surname meaning "a raised area of land."
40. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jack."
41. **James:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of James."
42. **Jefferson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jeffrey."
43. **Jenkins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jenkin."
44. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John."
45. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John."
46. **Jordan:** A topographic surname meaning "a place by a river or stream."
47. **King:** An occupational surname for someone who holds a royal position.
48. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lewis."
49. **Little:** A descriptive surname meaning "small in size."
50. **Lloyd:** A topographic surname meaning "a gray or dark place."
51. **Logan:** A topographic surname meaning "a hollow or valley."
52. **Long:** A descriptive surname meaning "tall in height."
53. **Lucas:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Luke."
54. **Lyons:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with lions."
55. **Martin:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martin."
56. **Mason:** An occupational surname for someone who works with stone.
57. **Matthews:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Matthew."
58. **Maxwell:** A topographic surname meaning "a place where flax grows."
59. **McCoy:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Mac."
60. **McDaniel:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Daniel."
61. **McKinney:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kin."
62. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who grinds grain.
63. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael."
64. **Moore:** A topographic surname meaning "a moorland or heath."
65. **Morgan:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Morgan."
66. **Morris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Maurice."
67. **Murphy:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Mur."
68. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil."
69. **Nichols:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nicholas."
70. **Oliver:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Oliver."
71. **Parker:** An occupational surname for someone who keeps or guards something.
72. **Patterson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Patrick."
73. **Payne:** An occupational surname for someone who works with bread or pastries.
74. **Perry:** A topographic surname meaning "a pear orchard."
75. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Philip."
76. **Pierce:** A topographic surname meaning "a pier or jetty."
77. **Powell:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with pools of water."
78. **Price:** An occupational surname for someone who buys and sells goods.
79. **Reed:** A topographic surname meaning "a place where reeds grow."
80. **Richardson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Richard."
81. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert."
82. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robin."
83. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Roger."
84. **Ross:** A topographic surname meaning "a wooded hill."
85. **Russell:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Russell."
86. **Sanders:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alexander."
87. **Scott:** A topographic surname meaning "a woodland or forest."
88. **Shaw:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with a grove of trees."
89. **Simmons:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Simon."
90. **Smith:** An occupational surname for someone who works with metal.
91. **Stewart:** An occupational surname meaning "a steward or caretaker."
92. **Stokes:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with a stick or stake."
93. **Stone:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with stones."
94. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who makes clothes.
95. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
96. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
97. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who works with wood.
98. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who walks or travels.
99. **Ward:** An occupational surname meaning "a guardian or keeper."
100. **Washington:** A topographic surname meaning "a place with a spring or well."
101. **Watson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Walter."
102. **Williams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William."
103. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William."
104. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who builds or repairs.
105. **Young:** A descriptive surname meaning "youthful."