Last Names in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the rich tapestry of South African surnames, exploring their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. This extensive list delves into the diverse linguistic influences that have shaped the landscape of last names in South Africa, providing insights into the country's fascinating history and cultural heritage.
1. **Abramowitz:** Hebrew origin, meaning "father of Abraham."
2. **Ackermann:** German origin, meaning "field man" or "farmer."
3. **Adams:** English origin, meaning "son of Adam."
4. **Agulhas:** Portuguese origin, meaning "needles" (referring to the rocky coastline).
5. **Alberts:** Dutch origin, meaning "noble, bright."
6. **Alexander:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
7. **Anderson:** English origin, meaning "son of Andrew."
8. **Andrews:** English origin, meaning "son of Andrew."
9. **Angel:** Greek origin, meaning "messenger of God."
10. **Appel:** Dutch origin, meaning "apple."
11. **Badenhorst:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the badger's cave."
12. **Bailey:** English origin, meaning "bailiff" or "officer."
13. **Baker:** English origin, meaning "bread maker."
14. **Bester:** Dutch origin, meaning "best."
15. **Botha:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "booth" or "shelter."
16. **Boshoff:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "bush" or "forest."
17. **Brown:** English origin, meaning "someone with brown hair or complexion."
18. **Burger:** Dutch origin, meaning "citizen."
19. **Campbell:** Scottish origin, meaning "crooked mouth."
20. **Carstens:** Dutch origin, meaning "Christian."
21. **Coetzee:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "someone who lives near a lake."
22. **Coetsee:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "someone who lives near a lake."
23. **Cohen:** Hebrew origin, meaning "priest."
24. **Conradie:** Dutch origin, meaning "bold" or "courageous."
25. **De Beer:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the bear."
26. **De Bruyn:** Dutch origin, meaning "brown" or "dark."
27. **De Jager:** Dutch origin, meaning "the hunter."
28. **De Klerk:** Dutch origin, meaning "the clerk."
29. **De Lange:** Dutch origin, meaning "the long one."
30. **De Villiers:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the villages."
31. **De Wet:** Dutch origin, meaning "the law."
32. **Du Plessis:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the meadow."
33. **Du Toit:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the roof."
34. **Erasmus:** Greek origin, meaning "beloved."
35. **Esterhuizen:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the house of Esther."
36. **Fourie:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "someone who lives near a fox."
37. **Fox:** English origin, meaning "someone who lives near a fox."
38. **Geldenhuys:** Dutch origin, meaning "golden house."
39. **Grobler:** Dutch origin, meaning "one who digs."
40. **Haines:** English origin, meaning "someone who lives on a heath."
41. **Hanekom:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "cock's comb."
42. **Harris:** English origin, meaning "son of Harry."
43. **Hugo:** German origin, meaning "mind, spirit."
44. **Jacobs:** Hebrew origin, meaning "supplanter."
45. **Janse van Rensburg:** Dutch origin, meaning "son of Jan from Rensburg."
46. **Joubert:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a court."
47. **Kellerman:** German origin, meaning "someone who lives near a cellar."
48. **Kemp:** English origin, meaning "warrior."
49. **Kennedy:** Irish origin, meaning "handsome head."
50. **Keyser:** Dutch origin, meaning "emperor."
51. **Kirsten:** Dutch origin, meaning "Christian."
52. **Kriel:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "cricket."
53. **Kruger:** Dutch origin, meaning "merchant."
54. **La Grange:** French origin, meaning "the farm."
55. **Lambrechts:** Dutch origin, meaning "lamb's field."
56. **Le Roux:** French origin, meaning "the redhead."
57. **Louw:** Dutch origin, meaning "lion."
58. **Marais:** French origin, meaning "the marsh."
59. **Maree:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "someone who lives near a lake."
60. **Mathews:** Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of God."
61. **Meyer:** Dutch origin, meaning "farmer."
62. **Mouton:** French origin, meaning "sheep."
63. **Nel:** Dutch origin, meaning "son of Niel."
64. **Nel**: Dutch origin, meaning "son of Niel."
65. **Nel:** Dutch origin, meaning "son of Niel."
66. **Olivier:** French origin, meaning "olive tree."
67. **Pretorius:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who comes from Prut."
68. **Rademeyer:** Dutch origin, meaning "counselor."
69. **Rhoodie:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "someone who lives near a red soil."
70. **Rossouw:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a clearing."
71. **Roux:** French origin, meaning "redhead."
72. **Schoeman:** Dutch origin, meaning "shoemaker."
73. **Schutte:** Dutch origin, meaning "shooter."
74. **Smit:** Dutch origin, meaning "blacksmith."
75. **Smith:** English origin, meaning "blacksmith."
76. **Steyn:** Dutch origin, meaning "stone."
77. **Strydom:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a strong current."
78. **Swanepoel:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a swan's pond."
79. **Swart:** Dutch origin, meaning "black."
80. **Terblanche:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a white plane."
81. **Theron:** French origin, meaning "someone who lives near a farm."
82. **Van der Merwe:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the meadow."
83. **Van der Walt:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the woods."
84. **Van der Westhuizen:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the West House."
85. **Van Heerden:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the Lord."
86. **Van Jaarsveld:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the field of years."
87. **Van Niekerk:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the church."
88. **Van Rensburg:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the mountain."
89. **Van Vuuren:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the fire."
90. **Viljoen:** Dutch origin, meaning "from the willow."
91. **Visser:** Dutch origin, meaning "fisherman."
92. **Vlok:** Dutch origin, meaning "flake."
93. **Vos:** Dutch origin, meaning "fox."
94. **Wessels:** Dutch origin, meaning "someone who lives near a stream."
95. **Wietze:** Dutch origin, meaning "white."
96. **Williams:** Welsh origin, meaning "helmet protector."
97. **Wilson:** English origin, meaning "son of William."
98. **Witbooi:** Afrikaans origin, meaning "white bush."
99. **Wright:** English origin, meaning "craftsman."
100. **Young:** English origin, meaning "young."