Last Names and Their Meanings: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the hidden stories behind your last name! This comprehensive guide explores the origins and meanings of thousands of surnames, offering insights into family history, cultural heritage, and ancestral connections. From ancient roots to modern adaptations, delve into the fascinating world of last names and uncover the unique stories they hold.
1. **Abbott:** A shortened form of the medieval occupational name "Abbot," referring to a head of a monastery.
2. **Abernathy:** A name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic phrase "àth na h-abhainn," meaning "ford of the river."
3. **Adams:** An English surname, meaning "son of Adam."
4. **Adler:** A German surname, meaning "eagle."
5. **Aiken:** A Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic word "aodh," meaning "fire."
6. **Alexander:** A Greek name, meaning "defender of mankind."
7. **Allen:** An English surname, meaning "handsome."
8. **Anderson:** An English surname, meaning "son of Andrew."
9. **Andrews:** An English surname, meaning "son of Andrew."
10. **Armstrong:** A Scottish surname, meaning "strong arm."
11. **Arnold:** A German surname, meaning "powerful ruler."
12. **Asher:** A Hebrew name, meaning "happy."
13. **Ashley:** An English surname, meaning "ash tree meadow."
14. **Atkins:** An English surname, meaning "son of Atkin."
15. **Austin:** An English surname, meaning "noble."
16. **Avery:** An English surname, meaning "ruler of elves."
17. **Baker:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes bread.
18. **Baldwin:** A German surname, meaning "bold friend."
19. **Banks:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who lives near a bank.
20. **Barber:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who cuts hair.
21. **Barker:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who tans animal hides.
22. **Barnes:** An English surname, meaning "son of Barnaby."
23. **Barrett:** An English surname, meaning "strong."
24. **Barton:** An English surname, meaning "barley farm."
25. **Bates:** An English surname, meaning "son of Bate."
26. **Bauer:** A German surname, meaning "farmer."
27. **Bell:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes bells.
28. **Bennett:** An English surname, meaning "blessed."
29. **Bentley:** An English surname, meaning "bent meadow."
30. **Berger:** A German surname, meaning "mountain farmer."
31. **Berry:** An English surname, meaning "someone who lives near berry bushes."
32. **Blake:** An English surname, meaning "dark."
33. **Bloom:** An English surname, meaning "flower."
34. **Boone:** An English surname, meaning "dweller by a stream."
35. **Bowman:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes or uses bows and arrows.
36. **Boyd:** A Scottish surname, meaning "yellow."
37. **Bradley:** An English surname, meaning "broad meadow."
38. **Brooks:** An English surname, meaning "someone who lives near a brook."
39. **Brown:** An English surname, meaning "someone with brown hair or skin."
40. **Bryant:** An English surname, meaning "strong."
41. **Buchanan:** A Scottish surname, meaning "little town."
42. **Buckley:** An English surname, meaning "buck's meadow."
43. **Burns:** A Scottish surname, meaning "someone who lives near a stream."
44. **Bush:** An English surname, meaning "someone who lives near a bush."
45. **Butler:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who serves a lord.
46. **Byrd:** An English surname, meaning "bird."
47. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname, meaning "crooked mouth."
48. **Cannon:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes or uses cannons.
49. **Carey:** An Irish surname, meaning "love."
50. **Carpenter:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes or repairs wooden structures.
51. **Carroll:** An Irish surname, meaning "strong."
52. **Carter:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who transports goods by cart.
53. **Casey:** An Irish surname, meaning "vigilant."
54. **Cates:** An English surname, meaning "son of Cate."
55. **Chandler:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes or sells candles.
56. **Chapman:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who buys and sells goods.
57. **Charles:** A German name, meaning "free man."
58. **Chase:** An English surname, meaning "someone who hunts."
59. **Chen:** A Chinese surname, meaning "morning."
60. **Childress:** An English surname, meaning "son of Child."
61. **Clark:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who writes or reads.
62. **Clayton:** An English surname, meaning "clay town."
63. **Clemens:** A Latin name, meaning "merciful."
64. **Clifford:** An English surname, meaning "cliff ford."
65. **Clinton:** An English surname, meaning "cliff town."
66. **Cobb:** An English surname, meaning "shoemaker."
67. **Cole:** An English surname, meaning "charcoal burner."
68. **Collins:** An English surname, meaning "son of Colin."
69. **Cook:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who prepares food.
70. **Cooper:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who makes barrels.
71. **Cox:** An English surname, meaning "son of Coke."
72. **Craig:** A Scottish surname, meaning "rocky cliff."
73. **Crawford:** A Scottish surname, meaning "settlement at the ford."
74. **Cruz:** A Spanish surname, meaning "cross."
75. **Cunningham:** A Scottish surname, meaning "white valley."
76. **Curtis:** A Latin name, meaning "courteous."
77. **Dale:** An English surname, meaning "valley."
78. **Daniel:** A Hebrew name, meaning "God is my judge."
79. **David:** A Hebrew name, meaning "beloved."
80. **Davis:** An English surname, meaning "son of David."
81. **Dawson:** An English surname, meaning "son of Daw."
82. **Dean:** An English surname, meaning "valley."
83. **Decker:** A German surname, meaning "roof maker."
84. **Dennis:** A Greek name, meaning "belonging to Dionysus."
85. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname, meaning "day."
86. **Dickerson:** An English surname, meaning "son of Dick."
87. **Dillon:** An Irish surname, meaning "diligent."
88. **Dixon:** An English surname, meaning "son of Dick."
89. **Dobson:** An English surname, meaning "son of Dob."
90. **Dodge:** An English surname, meaning "someone who avoids danger."
91. **Dolan:** An Irish surname, meaning "hollow."
92. **Donaldson:** A Scottish surname, meaning "son of Donald."
93. **Donovan:** An Irish surname, meaning "dark."
94. **Douglas:** A Scottish surname, meaning "dark water."
95. **Downey:** An Irish surname, meaning "brown."
96. **Drake:** An English surname, meaning "dragon."
97. **Duncan:** A Scottish surname, meaning "brown warrior."
98. **Dunn:** An Irish surname, meaning "brown."
99. **Durham:** An English surname, meaning "deer park."
100. **Dyer:** An English occupational surname, referring to someone who dyes fabrics.