Last Names Starting with C: A Comprehensive List with Meanings

Looking for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter C? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive list features over 40 last names beginning with C, along with their detailed origins and meanings. Whether you're researching your family history, seeking inspiration for a fictional character, or simply curious about the etymology of names, this list has something for everyone. Dive in and discover the rich stories behind these captivating surnames.
1. **Cain:** Meaning "to acquire" or "to possess," this surname is of Hebrew origin and is most famously associated with the biblical figure Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve.
2. **Calder:** Derived from the Gaelic word "caldair," meaning "kettle," this Scottish surname is often associated with blacksmiths or those who worked with metal.
3. **Cameron:** Meaning "crooked nose" or "bent nose" in Gaelic, this surname likely originated from a person with a distinctive facial feature. It is also associated with the clan Cameron, a powerful Scottish clan.
4. **Campbell:** Meaning "crooked mouth" in Gaelic, this surname is derived from the Scottish clan Campbell, one of the largest and most influential clans in Scotland.
5. **Cannon:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked with or manufactured cannons.
6. **Carlisle:** Derived from the name of the city of Carlisle in Cumbria, England, this surname is likely of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near or came from Carlisle.
7. **Carson:** Meaning "son of Carr," this surname is of English origin and is likely to have been an occupational name for someone who worked with or lived near a "carr," a type of marsh or swampy area.
8. **Carter:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who transported goods by cart.
9. **Castillo:** Meaning "castle" in Spanish, this surname is likely topographic, referring to someone who lived near a castle or worked in one.
10. **Catalano:** Meaning "Catalan," this Italian surname refers to someone who is from or descended from the region of Catalonia in Spain.
11. **Cavanagh:** Derived from the Irish word "caoineach," meaning "pleasant" or "beautiful," this surname is often associated with the clan O'Caoineach, a powerful Irish clan.
12. **Cecil:** This surname is of Latin origin, meaning "blind." It is a popular surname in England and is associated with the Cecil family, a prominent aristocratic family.
13. **Celestino:** Meaning "heavenly" or "celestial" in Italian, this surname is derived from the name Celestine, a popular given name in Italy.
14. **Chandler:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who made or sold candles.
15. **Chapman:** Meaning "merchant" or "trader," this English surname is occupational, referring to someone who bought and sold goods.
16. **Charles:** Meaning "free man" or "manly" in German, this surname is derived from the popular given name Charles.
17. **Chase:** Meaning "forest" or "hunting ground," this English surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a forest or worked as a hunter.
18. **Chavez:** This surname is of Spanish origin and is derived from the word "chave," meaning "key."
19. **Chen:** This Chinese surname is one of the most common in China and is believed to be derived from the word "chen," meaning "to spread" or "to extend."
20. **Cheung:** This Chinese surname is common in Hong Kong and is believed to be derived from the word "cheung," meaning "long" or "extensive."
21. **Chiang:** This Chinese surname is commonly found in Taiwan and is believed to be derived from the word "chiang," meaning "to rise" or "to ascend."
22. **Church:** This English surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a church.
23. **Clarke:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked as a scribe or copyist.
24. **Clayton:** Meaning "clay town" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a town or settlement made of clay.
25. **Clemens:** Meaning "merciful" or "gentle" in Latin, this surname is derived from the popular given name Clemens.
26. **Clements:** This surname is a variant of Clemens and shares the same meaning.
27. **Clifford:** Meaning "cliff ford" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a ford crossing a cliff.
28. **Clinton:** Meaning "cliff town" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a town or settlement situated on a cliff.
29. **Cobb:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked as a cobbler, making or repairing shoes.
30. **Cochran:** Derived from the Gaelic word "cothrom," meaning "fair" or "just," this surname is often associated with the clan Cochrane, a Scottish clan.
31. **Coe:** This surname is of English origin and is likely to have been an occupational name for someone who worked as a "cooke," a chef or cook.
32. **Cohen:** Meaning "priest" or "religious leader" in Hebrew, this surname is of Jewish origin and refers to a descendant of the priestly tribe of Levi.
33. **Cole:** Meaning "coal" in Old English, this surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked with or transported coal.
34. **Coleman:** Meaning "dove" in Irish, this surname is derived from the Irish word "colman," which is a popular given name in Ireland.
35. **Collins:** Meaning "son of Colin," this surname is of English origin and is derived from the popular given name Colin.
36. **Colt:** This English surname is likely to have been an occupational name for someone who worked with or raised foals.
37. **Combs:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who made or sold combs.
38. **Conley:** Derived from the Irish word "conall," meaning "strong wolf," this surname is often associated with the clan O'Conall, a powerful Irish clan.
39. **Conrad:** Meaning "bold counsel" in German, this surname is derived from the popular given name Conrad.
40. **Cook:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked as a "cooke," a chef or cook.
41. **Cooper:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who made or repaired barrels or casks.
42. **Cordero:** Meaning "lamb" in Spanish, this surname is likely to have been a nickname for someone who was gentle or meek.
43. **Cortez:** This surname is of Spanish origin and is derived from the word "corte," meaning "court."
44. **Costanzo:** Meaning "constant" or "steadfast" in Italian, this surname is derived from the popular given name Costanzo.
45. **Cotton:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked with or grew cotton.
46. **Cox:** This English surname is occupational, referring to someone who worked as a coachman, driving a coach or carriage.
47. **Craig:** Meaning "rock" or "cliff" in Gaelic, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a rock or cliff.
48. **Crawford:** Meaning "crooked ford" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a ford with a bend or turn.
49. **Crenshaw:** Meaning "crow's nest" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a crow's nest or a place where crows gathered.
50. **Cromwell:** Meaning "crooked brook" in Old English, this surname is of topographic origin, referring to someone who lived near a brook with a bend or turn.