How to Change Last Name in California: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your last name in California can be a straightforward process, but it requires specific steps to ensure the change is legally recognized. This guide will walk you through the process of legally changing your last name in California, from understanding the requirements to completing the necessary paperwork. We'll cover everything from the different methods available to the fees involved, ensuring you have all the information you need to make this important change.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew or man from the valley of the Andros.
2. **Bell:** A beautiful one, a handsome one, or one who rings the bell.
3. **Bennett:** A blessed one, a son of Benedict, or a good son.
4. **Brown:** One who has brown hair or skin, or someone who lives near a brown hill or forest.
5. **Campbell:** Crooked field or beautiful meadow.
6. **Carter:** One who transports goods by cart, a cart maker, or a person who lives near a cart road.
7. **Clark:** A scholar, a scribe, or a cleric.
8. **Collins:** A descendant of the person named Colin.
9. **Davis:** Son of David.
10. **Edwards:** One who guards, protects, or defends.
11. **Evans:** Son of Evan, a young warrior, or a person who lives by the river.
12. **Fisher:** One who catches fish or lives near a fishing village.
13. **Garcia:** One who is a warrior or a person from the area of Galicia.
14. **Gonzalez:** Son of Gonzalo, a war leader.
15. **Harris:** Son of Harry, a home ruler, or one who guards a home.
16. **Henderson:** Son of Henry or a person from the valley of Henry.
17. **Hernandez:** Son of Hernando, a brave warrior.
18. **Hill:** One who lives on a hill or near a hill.
19. **Jackson:** Son of Jack, a person who lives near a jack tree, or one who works with wood.
20. **James:** Supplanter, the one who replaces, or the one who takes the place of.
21. **Johnson:** Son of John.
22. **Jones:** Son of John.
23. **Kelly:** A warrior, a champion, or one who is bright or fair.
24. **King:** A ruler, a chief, or a leader.
25. **Lewis:** Famous warrior, one who is known for fighting, or a person who lives near a battleground.
26. **Lopez:** Son of Lope, a wolf.
27. **Martin:** One who is devoted to Mars, the Roman god of war.
28. **Martinez:** Son of Martin, one who is devoted to Mars.
29. **Miller:** One who grinds grain, a miller, or someone who lives near a mill.
30. **Moore:** A person who lives near a moor or a swamp.
31. **Morgan:** Sea defender, a person from the sea, or a sea warrior.
32. **Murphy:** One who is a sea warrior, a person from the sea, or a sea defender.
33. **Nelson:** Son of Neil or one who is a champion or a victor.
34. **Parker:** One who keeps or guards the park.
35. **Peterson:** Son of Peter, the rock.
36. **Phillips:** Son of Philip, a lover of horses.
37. **Reed:** One who lives near a reed bed or a marsh.
38. **Rodriguez:** Son of Rodrigo, a famous ruler or a powerful warrior.
39. **Robinson:** Son of Robin, a bright one, a famous one, or a person from the area of Rouen.
40. **Rogers:** Son of Roger, a spearman, a warrior, or a person who lives near a rocky area.
41. **Russell:** Red-haired one, a person who lives in a reddish-brown area, or a redhead.
42. **Sanders:** Son of Alexander.
43. **Sanchez:** Son of Sancho, a holy one.
44. **Scott:** One who is from Scotland or a person who lives in the woods.
45. **Smith:** One who works with metal, a blacksmith, or a person who lives near a smithy.
46. **Taylor:** One who makes or cuts cloth, a tailor, or someone who lives near a tailor shop.
47. **Thomas:** Twin, a twin brother.
48. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas.
49. **Turner:** One who turns wood, a woodworker, or a person who lives near a turning mill.
50. **Walker:** One who walks or a person who works as a walker.
51. **Ward:** A guardian, a protector, or one who lives near a fort.
52. **Watson:** Son of Walter.
53. **Williams:** Son of William, a strong protector, a determined warrior, or a helmet.
54. **Wilson:** Son of Will or one who lives near a valley.
55. **Wright:** One who is a maker, a builder, or a craftsman.
56. **Young:** One who is young or a young person.