Changing Your Last Name: Cost and Considerations

Changing your last name can be a big decision, and it's important to understand the costs involved. This includes legal fees, government filing fees, and potential costs associated with changing your name on official documents. The amount you pay will vary depending on your location, the complexity of your situation, and the services you choose. This guide will provide an overview of the costs and considerations for changing your last name, helping you make informed decisions.
1. **Abbott:** "Father of abundance" - Derived from an Old English word meaning "father."
2. **Abernathy:** "From the hill of the ash tree" - An Anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Mac Aibhneathaich," which literally means "son of the ash tree."
3. **Adams:** "Son of Adam" - A common surname, meaning "son of Adam," the first man in the Bible.
4. **Adler:** "Eagle" - From the German word for "eagle," signifying strength, freedom, and vision.
5. **Aguilar:** "Eagle" - A Spanish surname meaning "eagle."
6. **Alexander:** "Defender of mankind" - From the Greek words "alexo" (to defend) and "aner" (man).
7. **Allen:** "Handsome, beautiful" - An English surname derived from Old English words meaning "handsome" or "beautiful."
8. **Allison:** "Noble" - An English surname derived from Old English words meaning "noble" or "son of Alice."
9. **Anderson:** "Son of Andrew" - A common surname meaning "son of Andrew," a popular name in Christianity.
10. **Andrews:** "Brave, strong" - An English surname derived from the name "Andrew," which means "brave" or "strong."
11. **Anthony:** "Priceless" - From the Latin name "Antonius," meaning "priceless."
12. **Arnold:** "Strength of an eagle" - From Old English words meaning "strong" or "powerful" and "eagle."
13. **Ashley:** "Ash tree meadow" - An English surname derived from words meaning "ash tree" and "meadow."
14. **Atkins:** "Son of Atkin" - A surname derived from the given name "Atkin," which was a diminutive form of "Atkins."
15. **Austin:** "Majestic, venerable" - A surname derived from the Latin name "Augustinus," meaning "majestic" or "venerable."
16. **Bailey:** "Bailiff, official" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "bailiff," an official who enforced the law.
17. **Baker:** "One who bakes bread" - A surname derived from the occupation of "baker."
18. **Ballard:** "Bold, strong" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "bold" or "strong."
19. **Banks:** "One who lives by the bank" - An English surname derived from the place where a person lived, near a riverbank.
20. **Barber:** "One who shaves" - A surname derived from the occupation of "barber."
21. **Barnes:** "Son of Barnaby" - An English surname derived from the given name "Barnaby," which was a popular name in medieval times.
22. **Barrett:** "Strong, brave" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "strong" or "brave."
23. **Bates:** "One who bates" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "to bate," meaning "to diminish" or "to lower."
24. **Baxter:** "Baker" - An English surname derived from the occupation of "baker."
25. **Beck:** "Brook, stream" - A surname derived from the Old English word for "brook" or "stream."
26. **Bell:** "Beautiful, handsome" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "beautiful" or "handsome."
27. **Bennett:** "Blessed, fortunate" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "blessed" or "fortunate."
28. **Benson:** "Son of Benson" - An English surname derived from the given name "Benson," which was a popular name in medieval times.
29. **Bentley:** "Meadow by the bent grass" - An English surname derived from words meaning "bent grass" and "meadow."
30. **Bernard:** "Brave, strong" - A surname derived from the Germanic name "Bernard," meaning "brave" or "strong."
31. **Berry:** "A fruit" - An English surname derived from the word for "berry," a small fruit.
32. **Black:** "One with black hair or skin" - An English surname derived from the word for "black," referring to hair or skin color.
33. **Blake:** "Dark, black" - An English surname derived from the Old English word for "dark" or "black."
34. **Blanchard:** "White, fair" - A surname derived from the French words "blanc" (white) and "chard" (field).
35. **Bloom:** "Flower, blossom" - An English surname derived from the word for "bloom," a flower.
36. **Boardman:** "One who makes boards" - A surname derived from the occupation of "boardman," a person who makes wooden boards.
37. **Boone:** "Good, kind" - An English surname derived from the Old French word for "good" or "kind."
38. **Bowman:** "One who shoots a bow" - A surname derived from the occupation of "bowman," a person who shoots arrows from a bow.
39. **Boyd:** "Yellow" - A surname derived from the Old English word for "yellow," possibly referring to hair color.
40. **Bradshaw:** "Broad meadow" - An English surname derived from words meaning "broad" and "meadow."