Old Money Last Names: A Guide to Traditional Family Heritage

Looking for last names that exude an air of wealth and tradition? "Old money" last names are often associated with families of long-standing affluence and social standing, passed down through generations. These surnames evoke images of stately homes, prestigious educations, and a legacy of success. Whether you're researching your genealogy or simply curious about the history behind these names, this list provides insight into some of the most recognizable "old money" last names and their intriguing origins.
1. **Astor:** Derived from the German word "ast," meaning "noble" or "divine." Astor is associated with the prominent American family who built their fortune in the fur trade and real estate.
2. **Vanderbilt:** A Dutch surname meaning "van der Belt," signifying "from the belt" or "of the belt," likely referring to a location or a profession related to belts. The Vanderbilts are known for their vast fortune amassed through shipping and railroads.
3. **Rockefeller:** This surname, meaning "rock cliff" or "rocky cliff" in Dutch, has become synonymous with immense wealth due to the Rockefeller family's oil empire.
4. **Morgan:** A Welsh surname meaning "sea warrior" or "dweller by the sea," the Morgans are prominent in finance and banking, particularly through the investment firm J.P. Morgan.
5. **Whitney:** An Old English surname meaning "white," the Whitneys are associated with manufacturing, particularly cotton, and have a strong presence in finance and philanthropy.
6. **DuPont:** A French surname meaning "from the bridge," the DuPonts made their fortune in gunpowder manufacturing and later branched out into chemicals and other industries.
7. **Mellon:** An Irish surname, Mellon is thought to derive from the Gaelic word "meallán," meaning "hill" or "mound." The Mellons are renowned for their banking dynasty and investments in aluminum and steel.
8. **Ford:** An English surname meaning "one who crosses a ford," a shallow crossing place in a river, the Fords gained legendary status through their automobile empire.
9. **Carnegie:** A Scottish surname, Carnegie is derived from the Gaelic word "carnaig," meaning "cairn," a pile of stones. The Carnegies are known for their steel empire and philanthropic endeavors.
10. **Getty:** An English surname, Getty is likely derived from the place name "Getly," meaning "goat meadow" or "goat clearing." The Gettys are famous for their oil fortune and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
11. **Hunt:** An Old English surname meaning "one who hunts," the Hunts made their fortune in oil and gas exploration and are known for their philanthropic ventures.
12. **Koch:** A German surname meaning "cook," the Kochs are notable for their involvement in the chemical industry and their influential Koch Industries.
13. **Pritzker:** A German surname meaning "prize taker," the Pritzkers are a family with diverse business interests, including Hyatt Hotels, and are known for their philanthropic work.
14. **Bloomberg:** A Dutch surname meaning "blooming," the Bloombergs are associated with the financial data and media company Bloomberg LP.
15. **Buffett:** An English surname meaning "dweller at the buffet," a place where food is sold, the Buffetts are known for the legendary investor Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway.
16. **Schwab:** A German surname meaning "sword" or "sworn," the Schwabs are associated with the financial services company Charles Schwab.
17. **Johnson:** An English surname, Johnson is a patronymic meaning "son of John." While not exclusively "old money," the Johnson family has been prominent in a variety of industries.
18. **Brown:** An English surname, Brown describes a person with brown hair or complexion. The Browns have a long history in banking, investment, and manufacturing.
19. **Smith:** An English surname, Smith is an occupational name meaning "one who works with metal." The Smiths are a large and diverse family with a presence in various industries.
20. **Jones:** An English surname, Jones is a patronymic meaning "son of John." The Jones family has a strong presence in business and philanthropy.
21. **Williams:** An English surname, Williams is a patronymic meaning "son of William." The Williams family has a long history in various industries, including finance and entertainment.
22. **Davis:** An English surname, Davis is a patronymic meaning "son of David." The Davis family has a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
23. **Miller:** An English surname, Miller is an occupational name meaning "one who grinds grain." The Millers have a long history in agriculture and manufacturing.
24. **Wilson:** An English surname, Wilson is a patronymic meaning "son of William." The Wilsons have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
25. **Moore:** An English surname, Moore is a topographic name meaning "moor" or "marshland." The Moores have a presence in business, entertainment, and politics.
26. **Taylor:** An English surname, Taylor is an occupational name meaning "one who cuts cloth." The Taylors have a long history in fashion and manufacturing.
27. **Anderson:** An English surname, Anderson is a patronymic meaning "son of Andrew." The Andersons have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
28. **Thomas:** An English surname, Thomas is a patronymic meaning "son of Thomas." The Thomases have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
29. **Jackson:** An English surname, Jackson is a patronymic meaning "son of Jack." The Jacksons have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
30. **White:** An English surname, White describes a person with white hair or complexion. The Whites have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
31. **Harris:** An English surname, Harris is a patronymic meaning "son of Harry." The Harrises have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
32. **Martin:** An English surname, Martin is a patronymic meaning "son of Martin." The Martins have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
33. **Thompson:** An English surname, Thompson is a patronymic meaning "son of Thomas." The Thompsons have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
34. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, Garcia is a patronymic meaning "son of Garcia." The Garcias have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
35. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname, Rodriguez is a patronymic meaning "son of Rodrigo." The Rodriguezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
36. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname, Martinez is a patronymic meaning "son of Martin." The Martinezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
37. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, Hernandez is a patronymic meaning "son of Hernando." The Hernandezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
38. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, Lopez is a patronymic meaning "son of Lope." The Lopezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
39. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, Gonzalez is a patronymic meaning "son of Gonzalo." The Gonzalezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
40. **Wilson:** An English surname, Wilson is a patronymic meaning "son of William." The Wilsons have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
41. **Lewis:** An English surname, Lewis is a patronymic meaning "son of Louis." The Lewises have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
42. **Lee:** An English surname, Lee is a topographic name meaning "clearing in a forest." The Lees have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
43. **Walker:** An English surname, Walker is an occupational name meaning "one who walks." The Walkers have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
44. **Hall:** An English surname, Hall is a topographic name meaning "dwelling." The Halls have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
45. **Allen:** An English surname, Allen is a patronymic meaning "son of Alan." The Allens have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
46. **Young:** An English surname, Young describes a person who is youthful. The Youngs have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
47. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, Hernandez is a patronymic meaning "son of Hernando." The Hernandezes have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
48. **King:** An English surname, King is an occupational name meaning "one who rules." The Kings have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
49. **Wright:** An English surname, Wright is an occupational name meaning "one who works with wood." The Wrights have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.
50. **Hill:** An English surname, Hill is a topographic name meaning "high ground." The Hills have a presence in business, politics, and entertainment.