b Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Are you curious about the origins and meanings of last names that start with the letter 'b'? This comprehensive list explores a wide range of b last names, offering insights into their historical roots, geographical distributions, and the stories they tell about our collective past. From common surnames like Baker and Brown to rarer names like Bannister and Beaumont, this guide unveils the fascinating world of b last names and their rich cultural significance.
1. **Baker:** A common occupational surname derived from the Old English word "bācere," meaning "one who bakes bread."
2. **Baldwin:** A Germanic name meaning "bold friend" or "brave friend," composed of the elements "bald" (bold) and "wine" (friend).
3. **Ball:** An occupational surname for someone who made or sold balls, often used in reference to playing balls or artillery balls.
4. **Barber:** An occupational surname for a person who shaves or cuts hair, derived from the Latin word "barba," meaning "beard."
5. **Barker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked with or sold bark, possibly as a tanner or a woodcutter.
6. **Barnes:** A locational surname, possibly from places named "Barnes," which often referred to a place with barley fields or a hilltop.
7. **Barrett:** An anglicized form of the Irish surname "Ó Barrait," meaning "descendant of Barra," a personal name.
8. **Barron:** A surname of French origin, meaning "little man" or "free man," possibly indicating a tenant farmer or a person of noble lineage.
9. **Barry:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Barra," a personal name.
10. **Bartlett:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Bartlett," often referring to a meadow or pasture.
11. **Barton:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Barton," often referring to a settlement near a barley field or a hilltop.
12. **Bates:** A surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "bāt," meaning "boat," possibly indicating a boatman or a resident near a river.
13. **Baxter:** An occupational surname for a baker, derived from the Old English word "bācere."
14. **Beaumont:** A French locational surname, meaning "beautiful mountain," referencing a place with scenic mountainous terrain.
15. **Beckett:** A surname of English origin, meaning "little stream," possibly indicating a resident near a small brook.
16. **Bell:** An occupational surname for a maker or seller of bells, derived from the Old English word "bellan," meaning "to ring."
17. **Bennett:** A surname of English origin, meaning "blessed" or "good," derived from the Old French word "benet."
18. **Benson:** A surname of English origin, meaning "son of Ben," a common short form of various biblical names.
19. **Berry:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Berry," often referring to a place with blackberry bushes.
20. **Best:** A surname of English origin, meaning "the best," possibly indicating a person of high social standing or skill.
21. **Bevan:** A Welsh surname, meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh form of the name John.
22. **Billings:** A surname of English origin, meaning "dweller at the building," possibly referring to a person who worked in construction.
23. **Bishop:** An occupational surname for a church official, derived from the Latin word "episcopus," meaning "overseer."
24. **Black:** A surname of descriptive origin, referring to a person with dark hair or complexion.
25. **Blair:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "field" or "plain," often referencing a place with open land.
26. **Blake:** A surname of English origin, meaning "dark" or "black," possibly referring to a person with dark hair or complexion.
27. **Bloom:** A surname of English origin, meaning "flower," possibly referring to a person who lived near a place with blooming flowers.
28. **Blunt:** A surname of English origin, meaning "blunt" or "dull," possibly referring to a person with a blunt personality or appearance.
29. **Bolling:** A surname of English origin, meaning "dweller near a spring or well."
30. **Bolton:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Bolton," often referring to a fortified place.
31. **Bond:** A surname of English origin, meaning "bond," possibly indicating a person who worked as a bondsman or a person with a strong bond to a particular place.
32. **Booth:** A surname of English origin, meaning "dwelling" or "booth," possibly referring to a person who lived in a small building or stall.
33. **Bowman:** An occupational surname for a person who makes or uses bows and arrows, derived from the Old English word "boga," meaning "bow."
34. **Boyd:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "yellow" or "blond," possibly referring to a person with blond hair.
35. **Boyer:** A surname of French origin, meaning "woodcutter," derived from the Latin word "boscus," meaning "forest."
36. **Bradley:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Bradley," often referring to a place with a wide open field.
37. **Bradshaw:** A locational surname, derived from places named "Bradshaw," often referring to a place with a broad path or meadow.
38. **Branch:** A surname of English origin, meaning "branch," possibly indicating a person who lived near a branch of a river or a branch of a family tree.
39. **Brand:** A surname of English origin, meaning "sword" or "burning brand," possibly referring to a person who was skilled in swordsmanship or who was associated with fire.
40. **Bray:** A surname of English origin, meaning "hill," possibly indicating a person who lived on a hill or near a place with a hill.