Changing Your Last Name: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to legally change your last name? Whether you're getting married, adopting a new identity, or simply want a fresh start, this guide will walk you through the process of legally changing your name. We'll cover the necessary steps, legal requirements, and important considerations to ensure a smooth and successful name change.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew, meaning "man of mankind" or "man of humankind."
2. **Bailey:** "Bailiff" or "law enforcement officer" – originating from a place where bailiffs were stationed.
3. **Baker:** A person who bakes bread or pastry.
4. **Barnes:** From a place name meaning "barn" or "barley field."
5. **Bell:** Someone who works with bells.
6. **Bennett:** "Little son" or "blessing," a diminutive of Benedict.
7. **Black:** A person with dark hair or skin.
8. **Blake:** A person with dark hair or complexion, a derivative of Black.
9. **Bloom:** A flower or blossom.
10. **Brown:** A person with brown hair or complexion.
11. **Campbell:** "Wry-mouthed" or "crooked mouth."
12. **Carter:** A person who transports goods by cart.
13. **Clark:** A scribe, a scholar, or a learned man.
14. **Cole:** Charcoal burner, someone who makes charcoal.
15. **Collins:** Son of Colin, meaning "victory."
16. **Cook:** A person who prepares food.
17. **Cooper:** A barrel maker.
18. **Cox:** A person who has authority.
19. **Davis:** "Beloved," "son of David," or "son of the beloved one."
20. **Diaz:** "Day" or "bright," a Spanish surname.
21. **Edwards:** "Wealthy guardian," "prosperous guardian," or "wealthy protector."
22. **Evans:** "Son of Evan," meaning "the Lord is gracious."
23. **Fisher:** A person who catches fish.
24. **Flores:** "Flowers."
25. **Foster:** A person who cares for or brings up a child.
26. **Fox:** A cunning and sly animal.
27. **Garcia:** "Bear" or "warlike."
28. **Gardner:** A person who cultivates a garden.
29. **Gibson:** "Son of Gilbert," meaning "bright pledge" or "shining hostage."
30. **Gonzalez:** "Son of Gonzalo," meaning "warlike," "battle" or "struggle."
31. **Gray:** A person with gray hair.
32. **Green:** A person who lives near a green area.
33. **Hall:** A person who lives near a hall or large house.
34. **Harris:** "Son of Harry," meaning "home ruler."
35. **Harrison:** "Son of Harry," meaning "home ruler."
36. **Hayes:** "Hedge" or "enclosure."
37. **Henderson:** "Son of Henry," meaning "ruler of the house."
38. **Hernandez:** "Son of Hernando," meaning "ruler of the land."
39. **Hill:** A person who lives near a hill.
40. **Holmes:** "Holm oak," a type of tree.
41. **Howard:** "Guardian of the mind" or "brave warrior."
42. **Jackson:** "Son of Jack," meaning "God is gracious."
43. **James:** "Supplanter," "he who supplants," or "he who takes the place of another."
44. **Jenkins:** "Son of Jenkin," a diminutive of John.
45. **Johnson:** "Son of John," meaning "God is gracious."
46. **Jones:** "Son of John," meaning "God is gracious."
47. **Kelly:** "Bright" or "handsome," a derivative of "bright."
48. **Kennedy:** "Head" or "chief" of a tribe.
49. **King:** A male monarch.
50. **Knight:** A warrior or soldier.
51. **Lee:** "Meadow" or "clearing."
52. **Lewis:** "Famous warrior" or "renowned warrior."
53. **Lopez:** "Wolf."
54. **Love:** A person who is loved.
55. **Martin:** "War god" or "warlike."
56. **Martinez:** "Son of Martin," meaning "war god" or "warlike."
57. **Mason:** A person who builds with stone.
58. **Matthews:** "Gift of God" or "gift from God."
59. **Miller:** A person who grinds grain.
60. **Mitchell:** "Son of Michael," meaning "who is like God."
61. **Moore:** "Moor" or "marsh."
62. **Morgan:** "Sea warrior" or "sea defender."
63. **Murphy:** "Sea warrior" or "sea defender."
64. **Nelson:** "Son of Neil," meaning "champion."
65. **Newman:** "New man" or "new person."
66. **Nichols:** "People of the victory."
67. **Nixon:** "Son of Nicholas," meaning "victory of the people."
68. **Oliver:** "Olive tree."
69. **Owen:** "Well-born" or "noble."
70. **Parker:** A person who keeps or guards a park.
71. **Patterson:** "Son of Patrick," meaning "nobleman" or "patrician."
72. **Perez:** "A traveler," or "a pilgrim."
73. **Phillips:** "Son of Philip," meaning "lover of horses."
74. **Powell:** "Pool" or "pond."
75. **Price:** A person who has a high rank or status.
76. **Ramos:** "Branches" or "twigs."
77. **Reed:** A tall, slender plant that grows in wet areas.
78. **Reeves:** "Steward" or "bailiff."
79. **Reid:** "Red" or "ruddy complexion."
80. **Rice:** A person who works with rice.
81. **Richards:** "Rich" or "powerful ruler."
82. **Rivera:** "Riverbank."
83. **Roberts:** "Bright fame" or "brilliant glory."
84. **Robinson:** "Son of Robin," meaning "bright fame" or "brilliant glory."
85. **Rodriguez:** "Son of Rodrigo," meaning "famous ruler" or "renowned king."
86. **Rogers:** "Famous spearman."
87. **Ross:** "Headland" or "promontory."
88. **Russell:** "Red" or "ruddy complexion."
89. **Ryan:** "King" or "little king."
90. **Sanders:** "Defender" or "protector."
91. **Scott:** "Scot" or "native of Scotland."
92. **Shaw:** "Forest" or "wood."
93. **Shepherd:** A person who cares for sheep.
94. **Simmons:** "Son of Simon," meaning "listener."
95. **Smith:** A person who works with metal.
96. **Snyder:** "Tailor" or "seamster."
97. **Spencer:** "Steward" or "dispenser."
98. **Stewart:** "Steward" or "bailiff."
99. **Stone:** A person who works with stone.
100. **Taylor:** A person who cuts cloth.
101. **Thomas:** "Twin."
102. **Thompson:** "Son of Thomas," meaning "twin."
103. **Turner:** A person who makes things by turning wood or metal.
104. **Walker:** A person who walks or travels on foot.
105. **Wallace:** "Welsh" or "foreigner."
106. **Ward:** "Guardian" or "protector."
107. **Warner:** A person who warns or gives notice.
108. **Washington:** "Place of dwellings" or "settlement near water."
109. **Watson:** "Son of Walter," meaning "ruler of the army."
110. **Weaver:** A person who makes cloth by weaving.
111. **Webb:** A person who weaves or works with cloth.
112. **Welch:** "Foreigner" or "stranger."
113. **West:** A person who lives in the west.
114. **White:** A person with white hair or complexion.
115. **Williams:** "Son of William," meaning "resolute protector" or "determined defender."
116. **Wilson:** "Son of Will," meaning "resolute protector" or "determined defender."
117. **Wright:** A person who works with wood.
118. **Young:** A person who is young.
119. **Zimmerman:** A carpenter or joiner.