Last Names: Origins and Meanings

Want to know where your last name came from? Last names, also known as surnames, have a rich history and offer a window into our ancestors' lives. From occupations to places of origin, they reflect the diverse ways in which people were identified throughout history. Let's explore the origins and meanings behind some of the most common last names.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "smyth," meaning "blacksmith." It was one of the most widespread trades in medieval Europe.
2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John." It is one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries.
3. **Williams:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of William." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in Wales.
4. **Brown:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with brown hair or skin. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John." It is a common surname in Wales and England.
6. **Miller:** An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "mylnere," meaning "miller." Millers ground grain into flour, a crucial role in medieval societies.
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname derived from the Basque word "garci," meaning "spear." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Arabic word "rodriq," meaning "famous." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
11. **Moore:** A topographic surname, meaning "moor," a large area of open land, often covered in heath or bog. It is a common surname in Ireland and England.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "tailour," meaning "tailor." Tailors were responsible for making clothes, a crucial profession in all societies.
13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Andrew." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jack," which is a diminutive of John. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
16. **White:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with fair skin or hair. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry," which is a diminutive of Henry. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
18. **Martin:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Martin." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
20. **King:** An occupational surname, referring to a ruler of a country or region. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
21. **Lee:** A topographic surname, meaning "clearing in a forest." It is a common surname in England and China.
22. **Walker:** An occupational surname, meaning "someone who walks." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
23. **Hall:** A topographic surname, meaning "hall," a large house or building. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
24. **Allen:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alan." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
25. **Young:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who is young. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
26. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Germanic word "hermann," meaning "man." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
27. **King:** An occupational surname, referring to a ruler of a country or region. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
28. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "lupus," meaning "wolf." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
29. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Germanic word "gunther," meaning "war." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
30. **Perez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "petrus," meaning "stone." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
31. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robin," which is a diminutive of Robert. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
32. **Clark:** An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "clerk," meaning "scribe or secretary." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
33. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Lewis." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
34. **Lee:** A topographic surname, meaning "clearing in a forest." It is a common surname in England and China.
35. **Walker:** An occupational surname, meaning "someone who walks." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
36. **Hall:** A topographic surname, meaning "hall," a large house or building. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
37. **Allen:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alan." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
38. **Young:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who is young. It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.
39. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Germanic word "hermann," meaning "man." It is one of the most common surnames in Spain and Latin America.
40. **Scott:** A topographic surname, meaning "Scottish." It is a common surname in English-speaking countries.