How to Get Your Last Name Changed: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your last name can be a significant decision, driven by various personal reasons such as marriage, divorce, adoption, or simply a desire for a new identity. This comprehensive guide will delve into the legal process of changing your last name, providing you with the necessary steps and information to navigate this journey smoothly.
1. **Anderson:** From the Old English words "and" and "sunu," meaning "son of Andrew."
2. **Baker:** A common occupational surname for those who baked bread.
3. **Bell:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a bell tower or worked with bells.
4. **Bennett:** A popular surname meaning "blessed" or "little son."
5. **Black:** A descriptive surname for someone with dark hair or skin, or who lived in a dark place.
6. **Brown:** A descriptive surname for someone with brown hair or skin, or who worked with brown materials.
7. **Campbell:** Derived from the Gaelic words "caimbeul" meaning "crooked mouth" or "distorted."
8. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who transported goods by cart.
9. **Clark:** An occupational surname for someone who was a scribe or secretary.
10. **Collins:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Colin."
11. **Cook:** A common occupational surname for someone who prepared food.
12. **Davis:** A surname derived from the Welsh word "Dafydd," meaning "beloved."
13. **Edwards:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Edward."
14. **Evans:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Evan."
15. **Fisher:** An occupational surname for someone who caught fish.
16. **Foster:** An occupational surname for someone who cared for orphans or others in need.
17. **Garcia:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "bear."
18. **Gardner:** An occupational surname for someone who worked in a garden.
19. **George:** A surname of Greek origin, meaning "farmer."
20. **Gonzalez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "son of Gonzalo."
21. **Green:** A descriptive surname for someone with green hair or who lived in a green area.
22. **Hall:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a hall or manor.
23. **Harris:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Harry."
24. **Henderson:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Henry."
25. **Hernandez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "son of Hernando."
26. **Hill:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a hill.
27. **Jackson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Jack."
28. **James:** A surname of Hebrew origin, meaning "supplanter."
29. **Jenkins:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Jenkin."
30. **Johnson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of John."
31. **Jones:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of John."
32. **Kelly:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "bright-haired."
33. **King:** A surname for someone who was a ruler or who had a royal connection.
34. **Lee:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a clearing or meadow.
35. **Lewis:** A surname of French origin, meaning "famous warrior."
36. **Lopez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "wolf."
37. **Martin:** A surname of Latin origin, meaning "warlike."
38. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who ground grain.
39. **Moore:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a moor.
40. **Morgan:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "sea defender."
41. **Murphy:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "sea warrior."
42. **Nelson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Neil."
43. **Parker:** An occupational surname for someone who kept or guarded a park.
44. **Patterson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Patrick."
45. **Perez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "Peter."
46. **Phillips:** A surname of Greek origin, meaning "lover of horses."
47. **Powell:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Howell."
48. **Robinson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Robin."
49. **Rodriguez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "son of Rodrigo."
50. **Rogers:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Roger."
51. **Ross:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "moorland."
52. **Russell:** A surname of French origin, meaning "red."
53. **Sanchez:** A surname of Spanish origin, meaning "son of Sancho."
54. **Sanders:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Alexander."
55. **Scott:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "from Scotland."
56. **Smith:** A common occupational surname for someone who worked with metal.
57. **Stewart:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward."
58. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who cut cloth.
59. **Thomas:** A surname of Aramaic origin, meaning "twin."
60. **Thompson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Thomas."
61. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who worked with wood.
62. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who walked or traveled.
63. **Ward:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a watchtower or defended a place.
64. **Washington:** A descriptive surname for someone who lived near a place with water.
65. **Watson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Walter."
66. **Williams:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of William."
67. **Wilson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Will."
68. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who worked with wood.
69. **Young:** A descriptive surname for someone who was young or recently arrived in a place.