Last Names Starting with N: A Comprehensive List of Origins and Meanings

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter "N"? Look no further! This comprehensive list explores over 40 last names beginning with "N," delving into their fascinating origins and rich histories. From ancient Celtic roots to modern English adaptations, discover the stories behind these surnames and find the perfect fit for your family.
1. **Naber:** This surname is of German origin, derived from the word "naber," meaning "neighbor." It is a habitational name, indicating that the original bearer lived near a neighbor or in a neighboring community.
2. **Nadal:** A Catalan surname, Nadal means "Christmas" in Catalan and is a popular name in Spain and other Catalan-speaking regions. It is often used as a surname to denote someone born around Christmas.
3. **Nagel:** Of German origin, Nagel means "nail" and is a common surname in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is likely a topographic name, indicating that the original bearer lived near a nail factory or workshop.
4. **Naismith:** A Scottish surname, Naismith is a patronymic name meaning "son of Smith." It is derived from the Old English word "smiþ," meaning "craftsman" or "blacksmith."
5. **Nance:** This surname is of English origin, derived from the given name "Nancy," which is a variant of "Anne." It can also be a habitational name, indicating that the original bearer lived in a place called "Nancy."
6. **Nash:** A surname of English origin, Nash is a topographic name meaning "a place near an ash tree." It is derived from the Old English word "æsc," meaning "ash tree."
7. **Nathan:** A biblical name of Hebrew origin, Nathan means "He has given" or "He gave." It is a popular surname in many countries, including the United States, Israel, and England.
8. **Navarro:** This Spanish surname is of Basque origin, meaning "the place of the boats" or "the place of the ships." It is a habitational name, indicating that the original bearer lived near a port or harbor.
9. **Neal:** A surname of English origin, Neal is a variant of the given name "Neil," which is a Gaelic form of the name "Nigel." It is a patronymic name meaning "champion."
10. **Needham:** An English surname, Needham is a habitational name meaning "the homestead at the meadow." It is derived from the Old English words "nēod" meaning "meadow" and "hām" meaning "homestead."
11. **Nelson:** A surname of English origin, Nelson is a habitational name meaning "the son of Neil." It is derived from the Gaelic name "Neil," meaning "champion."
12. **Nero:** This surname is of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "niger," meaning "black." It is a common surname in Italy and other Latin-speaking countries.
13. **Nettles:** An English surname, Nettles is a topographic name meaning "a place where nettles grow." It is derived from the Old English word "netle," meaning "nettle."
14. **Neumann:** A German surname, Neumann means "new man." It is a popular surname in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
15. **Newman:** An English surname, Newman is a variant of the German surname "Neumann," meaning "new man."
16. **Newton:** This English surname is a topographic name meaning "the place near a spring." It is derived from the Old English words "niwe" meaning "new" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "homestead."
17. **Nichols:** An English surname, Nichols is a variant of the given name "Nicholas," which is of Greek origin and means "victory of the people."
18. **Nixon:** A surname of English origin, Nixon is a variant of the given name "Nicholas," which is of Greek origin and means "victory of the people."
19. **Noble:** An English surname, Noble is an occupational name for someone who worked as a noble or had a high social standing.
20. **Nolan:** A surname of Irish origin, Nolan is a habitational name meaning "the descendant of Owen." It is derived from the Gaelic name "Owen," meaning "noble" or "well-born."
21. **Norman:** A surname of Norman origin, Norman is a habitational name meaning "from Normandy." It is derived from the French word "Normandie," which means "Northman" or "Viking."
22. **Norris:** An English surname, Norris is a variant of the given name "Norris," which is of Norman origin and means "northern man."
23. **Norton:** This English surname is a topographic name meaning "north farm" or "northern town." It is derived from the Old English words "north" and "tūn," meaning "farm" or "homestead."
24. **Nowell:** An English surname, Nowell is a habitational name meaning "the place near a hill." It is derived from the Old English word "cnēow" meaning "hill."
25. **Nugent:** An Irish surname, Nugent is a habitational name meaning "new gent" or "new gentleman." It is derived from the Irish words "nuadh" meaning "new" and "gent" meaning "gentleman."
26. **Nunn:** This surname is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "nunne," meaning "nun." It is an occupational name for someone who worked as a nun.
27. **Nyberg:** A Swedish surname, Nyberg means "new mountain" or "new hill." It is a topographic name, indicating that the original bearer lived near a new mountain or hill.
28. **Nye:** An English surname, Nye is a variant of the given name "Nigel," which is of Gaelic origin and means "champion."
29. **Nygren:** A Swedish surname, Nygren means "new border" or "new boundary." It is a topographic name, indicating that the original bearer lived near a new border or boundary.
30. **O'Neil:** An Irish surname, O'Neil is a patronymic name meaning "descendant of Neil." It is derived from the Gaelic name "Neil," meaning "champion."
31. **O'Neill:** This Irish surname is a variant of the surname "O'Neil," meaning "descendant of Neil."
32. **Oliver:** A surname of English origin, Oliver is derived from the given name "Oliver," which is of French origin and means "olive tree."
33. **Olson:** A surname of Scandinavian origin, Olson is a patronymic name meaning "son of Ole." It is derived from the Scandinavian name "Ole," which is a variant of "Olaf."
34. **Ortiz:** A Spanish surname, Ortiz is a patronymic name meaning "son of Ortíz." It is derived from the Spanish given name "Ortíz," which is a variant of "Ortiz."
35. **Owen:** A Welsh surname, Owen is a given name of Welsh origin, meaning "noble" or "well-born."
36. **Owens:** This surname is of Welsh origin, derived from the given name "Owen," meaning "noble" or "well-born."
37. **Oxley:** An English surname, Oxley is a topographic name meaning "ox meadow." It is derived from the Old English words "oxa" meaning "ox" and "lēah" meaning "meadow."
38. **Pace:** This surname is of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "pax," meaning "peace."
39. **Page:** An English surname, Page is an occupational name for someone who worked as a page, a young boy serving a nobleman.
40. **Palmer:** A surname of English origin, Palmer is an occupational name for someone who worked as a palmer, a pilgrim who carried a palm branch as a symbol of their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.