Last Name Meanings: Discover the Origins and History Behind Your Surname

Are you curious about the meaning of your last name? Last names, or surnames, hold a fascinating history and often reveal clues about our ancestors' origins, occupations, and even personality traits. Unveiling the meaning of your last name can be a rewarding journey of self-discovery, connecting you to your past and providing a deeper understanding of your family heritage. Explore the world of last names and discover the rich tapestry of meanings behind these common surnames.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname for blacksmiths, who worked with metal.
2. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John."
3. **Brown:** A descriptive surname for someone with brown hair or complexion.
4. **Davis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of David."
5. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a miller, grinding grain into flour.
6. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William."
7. **Moore:** A topographic surname for someone who lived near a moor or marshland.
8. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a tailor, making clothes.
9. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew."
10. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
11. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jack."
12. **White:** A descriptive surname for someone with fair skin or hair.
13. **Harris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry."
14. **Martin:** A surname derived from the Roman god Mars, meaning "warlike."
15. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
16. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcias."
17. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."
18. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robin."
19. **Clark:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a scribe or clerk.
20. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Louis."
21. **Lee:** A topographic surname for someone who lived near a meadow or clearing.
22. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a walker, often a messenger or courier.
23. **Hall:** A topographic surname for someone who lived near a hall or manor house.
24. **Allen:** A surname meaning "handsome" or "noble."
25. **Young:** A descriptive surname for someone who was young or youthful.
26. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."
27. **King:** An occupational surname for someone who held the position of a king.
28. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a wright, a craftsman or builder.
29. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope."
30. **Hill:** A topographic surname for someone who lived on a hill or slope.
31. **Scott:** A topographic surname for someone who lived in a wooded area or near a thicket.
32. **Green:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived in a green or grassy area.
33. **Adams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Adam."
34. **Baker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a baker, making bread.
35. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."
36. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil."
37. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a carter, transporting goods by cart.
38. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael."
39. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro."
40. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert."