Last Name Last: Exploring the Origins and Meanings of Surnames

Are you curious about the history and significance of your last name? Unraveling the mysteries of surnames can offer a fascinating glimpse into your family's heritage. In this exploration, we'll delve into the world of last names, specifically focusing on those that end with the word "last". These surnames, while seemingly common, often hold unique stories and meanings that have been passed down through generations.
1. **Alast**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is derived from the Gaelic word "àlast," meaning "last" or "final." It suggests someone who was the youngest child or who came to a place after others.
2. **Birstall**: Originating from the English town of Birstall, this name is composed of the Old English elements "beorh" (hill) and "stæll" (place), indicating a "hill-place." It likely points to someone who lived near the hill.
3. **Blackhurst**: This English surname is a combination of "black" and "hurst" (wood), meaning "black wood." It could refer to someone who lived near a dark, forested area.
4. **Blakemore**: A surname found in England, Blakemore translates to "black moor" (a piece of open land). This suggests someone who resided near a black, marshy area.
5. **Bradshaw**: This English surname is a combination of "broad" and "shaw" (wood), meaning "broad wood." It likely indicates someone who lived near a wide expanse of woodland.
6. **Caldwell**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is derived from the Gaelic words "cald" (cold) and "well," indicating a "cold spring" or "cold well." It suggests someone who lived near a cool water source.
7. **Carlisle**: Originating from the city of Carlisle in England, this surname is derived from the Old English words "caer" (fort) and "lilian" (lily), meaning "fort of the lilies." It likely refers to someone who came from the fortified city.
8. **Chatfield**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "chat" (a small enclosure) and "field," meaning "small field." It could refer to someone who owned or lived near a small piece of land.
9. **Cleveland**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "cliff" and "land," meaning "cliff land." It likely indicates someone who lived near a cliff face.
10. **Colby**: This surname, of English origin, is derived from the place name "Colby," which itself comes from the Old English words "cold" and "by" (settlement), meaning "cold settlement." It suggests someone who lived in a cool location.
11. **Crabtree**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "crab" (a type of apple) and "tree," meaning "crab apple tree." It likely refers to someone who lived near or worked with crab apple trees.
12. **Crossley**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "cross" and "ley" (meadow), meaning "meadow by the cross." It could refer to someone who lived near a crossroads or landmark.
13. **Dallow**: This surname, of English origin, is derived from the Old English word "dalu," meaning "valley." It suggests someone who lived in a valley.
14. **Darby**: This surname, of English origin, is derived from the place name "Darby," which itself comes from the Old English words "dēor" (deer) and "by" (settlement), meaning "deer settlement." It suggests someone who lived in a place where deer were abundant.
15. **Eastwood**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "east" and "wood," meaning "wood in the east." It likely refers to someone who lived near a forest on the eastern side of a location.
16. **Edmonds**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Edmond."
17. **Ellis**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Ellis."
18. **Fairchild**: This surname, of English origin, is a combination of "fair" (beautiful) and "child," meaning "beautiful child." It likely refers to someone who was considered beautiful or charming.
19. **Fielding**: This surname, of English origin, is a locative surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It means "someone who lived in a field."
20. **Finch**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "finc," meaning "finch," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for finches.
21. **Fitzgerald**: This surname, of Anglo-Norman origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Gerald."
22. **Fletcher**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who made arrows.
23. **Ford**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "ford," meaning "a shallow crossing place in a river or stream."
24. **Foster**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who cared for orphans or other children.
25. **Fox**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "fox," meaning "fox," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for foxes.
26. **Franklin**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who was a freeholder or landowner.
27. **Gardner**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a gardener.
28. **Gates**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "geat," meaning "gate," and likely refers to someone who lived near a gate or entrance.
29. **Goodwin**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Old English words "god" (good) and "wine" (friend), meaning "good friend."
30. **Green**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "grēne," meaning "green," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its greenery.
31. **Hadley**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English words "hæð" (heath) and "lēah" (clearing), meaning "clearing in the heath."
32. **Hall**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "hæl," meaning "hall," and likely refers to someone who lived near a hall or large building.
33. **Hamilton**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Gaelic words "ham" (home) and "alt" (watercourse), meaning "home by the watercourse."
34. **Harris**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Harry."
35. **Hawkins**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Hawk."
36. **Heath**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "hæð," meaning "heath" (an open area of uncultivated land), and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its heath.
37. **Henderson**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a shepherd.
38. **Hill**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "hyll," meaning "hill," and likely refers to someone who lived near a hill.
39. **Holmes**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "holm," meaning "island," and likely refers to someone who lived near a small island or area surrounded by water.
40. **Howard**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Old English words "hord" (treasure) and "weard" (guard), meaning "treasure guard."
41. **Jackson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Jack."
42. **James**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of James."
43. **Jenkins**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Jenkin."
44. **Johnson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of John."
45. **Jones**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of John."
46. **Kaye**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "cæg," meaning "key," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its keys or key-making.
47. **Kelly**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Gaelic word "cealla," meaning "church," and likely refers to someone who lived near a church or religious site.
48. **Kennedy**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Cinnéid."
49. **Kent**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "Cantwara," meaning "people of Kent," and likely refers to someone who came from the county of Kent.
50. **King**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a king's servant or messenger.
51. **Kirk**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "cyrice," meaning "church," and likely refers to someone who lived near a church.
52. **Knight**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who was a knight, a mounted warrior.
53. **Lambert**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Germanic words "land" (land) and "beraht" (bright), meaning "bright land."
54. **Lawrence**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Latin word "Laurentius," meaning "from Laurentum."
55. **Lee**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "lēah," meaning "clearing," and likely refers to someone who lived near a clearing in a forest.
56. **Lewis**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Louis."
57. **Lincoln**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English words "lin" (linen) and "col" (hill), meaning "linen hill."
58. **Lloyd**: This surname, of Welsh origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Welsh word "llwyd," meaning "grey," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its grey color.
59. **Long**: This surname, of English origin, is a descriptive surname, meaning it is derived from a person's physical characteristic. It refers to someone who was tall.
60. **Lowe**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "hlāw," meaning "mound," and likely refers to someone who lived near a mound or hill.
61. **MacDonald**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Donald."
62. **MacGregor**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Gregor."
63. **Malcolm**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Gaelic words "maol" (bald) and "colm" (dove), meaning "bald dove."
64. **Martin**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Latin word "Martinus," meaning "warlike."
65. **Mason**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a stone mason.
66. **Matthews**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Matthew."
67. **Maxwell**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Gaelic words "magh" (field) and "uisge" (water), meaning "field by the water."
68. **May**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "mæg," meaning "relative," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its relatives or kinship.
69. **McCarthy**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Carthaigh."
70. **McConnell**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Conchobhair."
71. **McGregor**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Gregor."
72. **Miller**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a miller, grinding grain.
73. **Moore**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "mōr," meaning "moor" (an area of open wasteland), and likely refers to someone who lived near a moor.
74. **Morgan**: This surname, of Welsh origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Welsh words "mor" (sea) and "gan" (born), meaning "sea-born."
75. **Morris**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Latin word "Mauricius," meaning "dark-skinned."
76. **Murphy**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Murchadh."
77. **Nelson**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old Norse words "nefi" (nose) and "lundr" (grove), meaning "grove at the nose" (likely referring to a prominent hill).
78. **Newman**: This surname, of English origin, is a descriptive surname, meaning it is derived from a person's characteristic. It refers to someone who was new or recently arrived.
79. **Newton**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English words "niwe" (new) and "tūn" (settlement), meaning "new settlement."
80. **Nicholson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Nicholas."
81. **North**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "norð," meaning "north," and likely refers to someone who lived in the north.
82. **Oliver**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Latin word "Olivarius," meaning "olive tree."
83. **Owen**: This surname, of Welsh origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Welsh word "Owain," meaning "noble."
84. **Parker**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a park keeper.
85. **Patterson**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Patrick."
86. **Payne**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Old French word "pain," meaning "bread."
87. **Perry**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old French word "perier," meaning "pear tree," and likely refers to someone who lived near a pear tree.
88. **Peters**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Peter."
89. **Phillips**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Philip."
90. **Powell**: This surname, of Welsh origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Welsh word "pwll," meaning "pool," and likely refers to someone who lived near a pool of water.
91. **Price**: This surname, of Welsh origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who was a priest.
92. **Reed**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "hrēod," meaning "reed," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its reeds.
93. **Reynolds**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Reynold."
94. **Richards**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Richard."
95. **Roberts**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Robert."
96. **Robinson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Robin."
97. **Rogers**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Roger."
98. **Rose**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old French word "rose," meaning "rose," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its roses.
99. **Russell**: This surname, of French origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old French word "roussel," meaning "red," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its red color.
100. **Ryan**: This surname, of Irish origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Rian."
101. **Sanders**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Alexander."
102. **Scott**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Gaelic word "sgoit," meaning "boundary," and likely refers to someone who lived near a boundary or dividing line.
103. **Seaman**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a sailor.
104. **Shaw**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "scēa," meaning "wood," and likely refers to someone who lived near a wood.
105. **Shepherd**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a shepherd, caring for sheep.
106. **Smith**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a blacksmith or metalworker.
107. **Snow**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "snāw," meaning "snow," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its snow.
108. **Snyder**: This surname, of German origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the German word "Schneider," meaning "tailor," and likely refers to someone who came from a place known for its tailors.
109. **Spencer**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a dispenser of provisions.
110. **Steele**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a steelworker.
111. **Stevens**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Stephen."
112. **Stewart**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a steward, managing a household or estate.
113. **Stone**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "stān," meaning "stone," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its stones.
114. **Taylor**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a tailor, making clothes.
115. **Thomas**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Thomas."
116. **Thompson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Thomas."
117. **Turner**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a turner, shaping wood or metal.
118. **Vance**: This surname, of French origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old French word "vance," meaning "forward," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place that was forward or ahead of others.
119. **Vincent**: This surname, of English origin, is a personal name surname, meaning it is derived from a person's given name. It comes from the Latin word "Vincentius," meaning "conquering."
120. **Walker**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a walker, traveling on foot.
121. **Wallace**: This surname, of Scottish origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Gaelic words "wàlas" (foreign) and "eàch" (horse), meaning "foreign horse."
122. **Walter**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Walter."
123. **Ward**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "weard," meaning "guard," and likely refers to someone who lived near a place known for its guards.
124. **Warner**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a warner, giving warnings or announcements.
125. **Washington**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English words "wæsten" (wasteland) and "tūn" (settlement), meaning "settlement in the wasteland."
126. **Watson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of Walter."
127. **Weaver**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a weaver, making cloth.
128. **Wells**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "well," meaning "spring," and likely refers to someone who lived near a spring.
129. **West**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "west," meaning "west," and likely refers to someone who lived in the west.
130. **White**: This surname, of English origin, is a descriptive surname, meaning it is derived from a person's physical characteristic. It refers to someone who had fair skin or hair.
131. **Williams**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of William."
132. **Wilson**: This surname, of English origin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a father's given name. It means "son of William."
133. **Wood**: This surname, of English origin, is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. It comes from the Old English word "wud," meaning "wood," and likely refers to someone who lived near a wood.
134. **Wright**: This surname, of English origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a wright, a craftsman who made things.
135. **Young**: This surname, of English origin, is a descriptive surname, meaning it is derived from a person's physical characteristic. It refers to someone who was young.
136. **Zimmerman**: This surname, of German origin, is an occupational surname, meaning it is derived from a person's profession. It refers to someone who worked as a carpenter or builder.