Last Names with R: A Comprehensive List of Surnames Beginning with "R"

This detailed list explores last names beginning with the letter "R". From common surnames like "Robinson" to rarer names like "Ryder", this compilation offers a diverse range of options for anyone seeking inspiration or information about names starting with "R". Explore the origins, meanings, and historical significance of these last names, gaining a deeper understanding of their rich cultural heritage.
1. **Rabb**: A variant of "Rabin," meaning "a teacher" or "a rabbi." It has Hebrew origins, and was often used to denote someone who studied and taught religious law.
2. **Rabin**: This Hebrew surname signifies "a teacher," "a rabbi," or someone who is knowledgeable in religious matters. It holds a strong association with Jewish tradition and education.
3. **Rabinowitz**: Meaning "son of Rabin," this surname is of Hebrew origin and further emphasizes the lineage of a teacher or rabbi.
4. **Radcliffe**: Derived from Old English, this name means "red cliff" or "cliff of red earth," referencing the landscape near the place of origin.
5. **Radford**: Another Old English surname, "Radford" signifies "red ford" or "ford with red earth." It indicates a crossing point over a stream or river, characterized by reddish soil.
6. **Rafferty**: This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Raghallach," traces back to the Gaelic name for a fierce or brave warrior. It evokes a strong and powerful lineage.
7. **Ragsdale**: Originating from Old English, "Ragsdale" means "valley of the ragwort" or "valley of the ragweed." It refers to the vegetation growing in a specific valley.
8. **Raleigh**: This surname is derived from Old English and signifies "meadow by the clearing." It alludes to the geographical location where the name originated.
9. **Ramirez**: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Ramiro," it is derived from the Germanic name "Ramn" meaning "raven" or "black bird."
10. **Ramos**: Derived from Latin, this surname signifies "branches," "twigs," or "boughs." It potentially references the abundance of branches on a tree or the presence of a grove.
11. **Randall**: This Old English name means "wolf's valley" or "valley of the wolf." It suggests a geographical location known for wolf activity.
12. **Randolph**: "Randolph" is derived from Old English, meaning "wolf's field" or "field of the wolf." It references a specific land area associated with wolves.
13. **Rasmussen**: Of Scandinavian origin, "Rasmussen" translates to "son of Rasmus," and ultimately derives from the Old Norse name "Rasmus" meaning "adviser" or "wise counselor."
14. **Ratcliffe**: Originating from Old English, this surname means "red cliff" or "cliff of red earth," closely related to Radcliffe in meaning.
15. **Rath**: A surname with Irish and German roots, "Rath" signifies "hill" or "fort," referencing fortified settlements or hills that provided strategic vantage points.
16. **Ratliff**: Derived from Old English, "Ratliff" signifies "red cliff," similar in meaning to Radcliffe and Ratcliffe.
17. **Raven**: This surname originates from Old English, meaning "raven" or "black bird." It holds a symbolic association with the raven, often associated with intelligence, mystery, and wisdom.
18. **Ray**: This English surname means "ray of light" or "beam of light." It evokes a sense of brightness and illumination.
19. **Raymond**: From Old German roots, "Raymond" means "wise protection" or "wise counsel." It emphasizes the qualities of intelligence and safeguarding.
20. **Read**: This English surname means "red" or "ruddy complexion." It references a person's physical appearance and may have been given as a descriptive nickname.
21. **Reagan**: Derived from Irish Gaelic, "Reagan" means "descendant of Ríagan," which signifies "little king" or "small king."
22. **Reaves**: This Old English surname means "robber," referring to someone who takes things illegally.
23. **Redd**: A surname of Old English origin, "Redd" means "red" or "ruddy." It likely originated as a nickname for someone with red hair or a red complexion.
24. **Redden**: This English surname, a variant of "Redd," also means "red" or "ruddy." It may have been used as a descriptive nickname or to indicate a place associated with red earth.
25. **Reed**: Derived from Old English, this name means "reed" or "reed plant," referencing a common type of vegetation found in watery areas.
26. **Reese**: Originating from Welsh, "Reese" means "ardor" or "fiery," It embodies a sense of passion and intensity.
27. **Reeves**: This Old English surname means "steward" or "bailiff," referencing a person appointed to manage property or estates.
28. **Reid**: This surname has multiple possible origins, including Scots Gaelic, Old English, and Irish. It can mean "red," "ruddy," or "descendant of a red-haired person."
29. **Reilly**: From Irish Gaelic, "Reilly" means "descendant of Raghallaigh," a name that signifies "fierce" or "brave."
30. **Remington**: This English surname is composed of "Reming," a place name in Lincolnshire, and "ton," meaning "farmstead" or "settlement."
31. **Reynolds**: A surname of English origin, "Reynolds" means "son of Reynold," which in turn is derived from the Old German name "Raginwald" meaning "counselor of the army."
32. **Rhodes**: This English surname means "clearing" or "woodland clearing." It refers to a specific geographic feature where the name originated.
33. **Rice**: This English surname signifies "rice" or "rice grower." It might have been given to someone who cultivated rice or lived in an area where rice was grown.
34. **Richard**: This Old German name means "strong ruler" or "brave lord." It embodies qualities of strength, power, and leadership.
35. **Richardson**: "Richardson" is an English surname meaning "son of Richard," connecting the name directly to the meaning of "strong ruler" or "brave lord."
36. **Riddle**: Derived from Old English, "Riddle" signifies "a riddle" or "a puzzling statement."
37. **Rigby**: This Old English surname means "ridge farm" or "farm on a ridge," referencing a specific geographical location.
38. **Riley**: From Irish Gaelic, "Riley" means "descendant of Raghallaigh," similar in meaning to Reilly, signifying "fierce" or "brave."
39. **Riordan**: This Irish surname means "descendant of Ríordán," which is derived from the name "Ríagan" meaning "little king" or "small king."
40. **Rivera**: A Spanish surname meaning "riverbank" or "area beside a river," it references a specific geographical location along a waterway.
41. **Roberts**: An English surname meaning "son of Robert," it is directly linked to the Old German name "Hrodbert" meaning "bright fame" or "famous glory."
42. **Robertson**: This English surname signifies "son of Robert," similar to Roberts, linking the name to the meaning of "bright fame" or "famous glory."
43. **Robinson**: This English surname means "son of Robin," and ultimately originates from the Old French name "Robert," which itself means "bright fame" or "famous glory."
44. **Rockwell**: This Old English surname means "rock well" or "spring of water near a rock," referencing a specific geographical feature with a water source.
45. **Rodgers**: A surname of English origin, "Rodgers" means "son of Roger," which is derived from the Old German name "Hrodgar" meaning "famous spear" or "renowned warrior."
46. **Rodriguez**: This Spanish surname means "son of Rodrigo," which is derived from the Germanic name "Hrodric" meaning "famous ruler" or "glorious king."
47. **Rogers**: This English surname means "son of Roger," similar in meaning to Rodgers, linking the name to the Old German name "Hrodgar" meaning "famous spear" or "renowned warrior."
48. **Rollins**: An English surname, "Rollins" means "son of Roland," a name derived from the Old German name "Hruodland" meaning "famous land" or "renowned territory."
49. **Romero**: This Spanish surname means "pilgrim," referring to someone who undertakes a religious journey.
50. **Rose**: This English surname signifies "rose," alluding to the beautiful and fragrant flower.
51. **Ross**: This Scottish surname means "headland," "promontory," or "moor." It refers to a specific geographical feature along a coastline or in a mountainous region.
52. **Roth**: A surname of German origin, "Roth" means "red" or "ruddy," similar in meaning to "Redd" and "Redden."
53. **Rouse**: This English surname means "red" or "ruddy," likely given as a descriptive nickname for someone with red hair or a red complexion.
54. **Rowe**: This English surname signifies "row" or "line," referring to a straight path or a row of houses.
55. **Rowland**: From Old German roots, "Rowland" means "famous land" or "renowned territory," similar in meaning to "Rollins."
56. **Roy**: This French surname means "king" or "royal." It references a person of high status or someone associated with royalty.
57. **Royce**: This English surname means "son of Roger," similar to "Rodgers" and "Rogers," linking the name to the Old German name "Hrodgar" meaning "famous spear" or "renowned warrior."
58. **Ruiz**: This Spanish surname means "red," "ruddy," or "reddish-haired." It likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with a reddish complexion.
59. **Russell**: This surname has French and Old English roots, and can mean "red" or "ruddy," "fox," or "descendant of a red-haired person."
60. **Rutherford**: Derived from Old English, "Rutherford" signifies "ford by the red earth" or "red ford," referencing a crossing point over a stream or river.
61. **Ryan**: This Irish surname means "little king" or "small king," derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Ríagan."
62. **Ryder**: An English surname, "Ryder" means "one who rides" or "horseman," referencing a person who travels on horseback.
63. **Ryle**: A surname of English origin, "Ryle" means "rye," a type of grain. It may have been given to someone who cultivated rye or lived in a region where it was grown.
64. **Ryne**: This surname, a variant of "Ryle," also means "rye."
65. **Rynolds**: A variant of "Reynolds," this surname also means "son of Reynold," and ultimately originates from the Old German name "Raginwald" meaning "counselor of the army."
66. **Ryon**: This surname has multiple potential origins, including a variant of "Ryan" meaning "little king" or "small king," or a place name in France.