Last Names from Europe: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the rich tapestry of European history, we uncover a fascinating world of last names. Each surname holds a unique story, reflecting the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that have shaped the continent. From ancient origins to modern interpretations, European last names offer a glimpse into the past and provide insights into the people who have shaped the present. Join us as we delve into a comprehensive list of last names from Europe, exploring their meanings and origins.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew, a name of Greek origin meaning "manly" or "strong."
2. **Acosta:** From the Spanish word "acosta," meaning "on the coast."
3. **Adams:** Son of Adam, a biblical name meaning "man" or "earth."
4. **Aitken:** Son of the little one, an old Scottish and English surname.
5. **Alonso:** From the Spanish name Alonso, a variant of Alfonso, meaning "noble" or "ready for battle."
6. **Alvarez:** Son of Alvaro, a name of Germanic origin meaning "wise counsel."
7. **Arnold:** A German name meaning "eagle power" or "rule of the eagle."
8. **Baker:** One who makes or sells bread.
9. **Barnes:** Son of Barnabas, a biblical name meaning "son of encouragement."
10. **Barton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "barley farm."
11. **Bennett:** A surname of English origin, meaning "little son" or "blessed."
12. **Berger:** A German surname meaning "mountain man."
13. **Bertram:** A German surname meaning "bright raven."
14. **Black:** A descriptive surname, indicating dark hair or complexion.
15. **Blake:** A surname of English origin, meaning "dark" or "black."
16. **Bloom:** A surname of English origin, meaning "flower."
17. **Bowman:** One who shoots with a bow and arrow.
18. **Brown:** A descriptive surname, indicating a brown complexion or hair.
19. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth."
20. **Carter:** One who transports goods by cart.
21. **Chandler:** One who makes or sells candles.
22. **Chapman:** One who buys and sells goods.
23. **Clark:** A surname of English origin, meaning "clerk" or "scribe."
24. **Clayton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "clay town."
25. **Collins:** Son of Colin, a name of Scottish origin meaning "victory of the people."
26. **Cook:** One who prepares food.
27. **Cooper:** One who makes barrels or casks.
28. **Davies:** Son of David, a biblical name meaning "beloved."
29. **Davis:** Son of David, a biblical name meaning "beloved."
30. **Dawson:** A place name of English origin, meaning "son of David."
31. **Dean:** A surname of English origin, meaning "valley" or "from the valley."
32. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname meaning "day."
33. **Dixon:** Son of Dixon, a variant of the name "Richard."
34. **Dodd:** A surname of English origin, meaning "one who lives by the water."
35. **Douglas:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "dark water."
36. **Edwards:** Son of Edward, an English name meaning "wealthy guardian."
37. **Evans:** Son of Evan, a Welsh name meaning "young warrior."
38. **Fisher:** One who catches fish.
39. **Foster:** One who nourishes or cares for children.
40. **Fox:** A surname of English origin, meaning "fox."
41. **Francis:** A French name meaning "free man."
42. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "bear."
43. **Gardner:** One who cultivates a garden.
44. **Garrett:** A surname of English origin, meaning "spear" or "warrior."
45. **Gates:** A surname of English origin, meaning "gates."
46. **George:** A Greek name meaning "farmer."
47. **Gibson:** Son of Gilbert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright pledge."
48. **Gill:** A surname of English origin, meaning "brook" or "stream."
49. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."
50. **Gordon:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "great ford."
51. **Graham:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "gravelly valley."
52. **Grant:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "large" or "great."
53. **Green:** A descriptive surname, indicating green hair or complexion.
54. **Gregory:** A Greek name meaning "watchful" or "alert."
55. **Griffin:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "strong lord."
56. **Hall:** A place name of English origin, meaning "hall."
57. **Hamilton:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "high hill."
58. **Harris:** Son of Harry, a variant of the name "Henry," meaning "ruler of the house."
59. **Harrison:** Son of Harry, a variant of the name "Henry," meaning "ruler of the house."
60. **Harvey:** A surname of English origin, meaning "battle-brave."
61. **Hawkins:** Son of Hawkin, a variant of the name "Hawk."
62. **Hayes:** A place name of English origin, meaning "enclosure."
63. **Henderson:** Son of Henry, a name of Germanic origin meaning "ruler of the house."
64. **Henry:** A German name meaning "ruler of the house."
65. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."
66. **Hill:** A descriptive surname, indicating a location on a hill.
67. **Holland:** A place name of English origin, meaning "hollow land."
68. **Holmes:** A place name of English origin, meaning "hollow."
69. **Howard:** A surname of English origin, meaning "brave warrior."
70. **Hughes:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "fire" or "spirit."
71. **Hunter:** One who hunts wild animals.
72. **Jackson:** Son of Jack, a diminutive of the name "John," meaning "God is gracious."
73. **James:** A Hebrew name meaning "supplanter."
74. **Jenkins:** Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of the name "John," meaning "God is gracious."
75. **Johnson:** Son of John, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
76. **Jones:** Son of John, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
77. **Jordan:** A Hebrew name meaning "to descend."
78. **Joseph:** A Hebrew name meaning "God will add."
79. **Joyce:** A surname of English origin, meaning "joy."
80. **Kelly:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "bright-haired" or "warlike."
81. **Kennedy:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "fiery head."
82. **Kent:** A place name of English origin, meaning "corner" or "headland."
83. **King:** A surname of English origin, meaning "ruler."
84. **Kirk:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "church."
85. **Knight:** A surname of English origin, meaning "warrior."
86. **Lawrence:** A Latin name meaning "laurel."
87. **Lee:** A surname of English origin, meaning "meadow" or "clearing."
88. **Lewis:** A surname of English origin, meaning "famous warrior."
89. **Lincoln:** A place name of English origin, meaning "pool of the river Lind."
90. **Lloyd:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "grey" or "blond."
91. **Logan:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "little hollow."
92. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf."
93. **Love:** A surname of English origin, meaning "love."
94. **Lucas:** A Latin name meaning "light."
95. **MacDonald:** Son of Donald, a Scottish name meaning "world ruler."
96. **MacGregor:** Son of Gregor, a Scottish name meaning "watchful" or "alert."
97. **Mackenzie:** Son of Kenneth, a Scottish name meaning "handsome" or "born of fire."
98. **Madison:** A place name of English origin, meaning "son of Maud."
99. **Martin:** A Latin name meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars."
100. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."
101. **Mason:** One who works with stone.
102. **Matthews:** Son of Matthew, a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
103. **May:** A surname of English origin, meaning "month of May."
104. **McCarthy:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of the mighty."
105. **McConnell:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of Connell."
106. **McCoy:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of Coinneach."
107. **McDaniel:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of Daniel."
108. **McDonald:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Donald."
109. **McFarlane:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the farmer."
110. **McGregor:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Gregor."
111. **McKinley:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the king."
112. **McLean:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the dark one."
113. **McLellan:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the brown one."
114. **McMahon:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "son of the bear."
115. **Miller:** One who grinds grain into flour.
116. **Mitchell:** Son of Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God?"
117. **Moore:** A surname of English origin, meaning "moor" or "marshland."
118. **Morgan:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "sea warrior."
119. **Morris:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "sea warrior."
120. **Murphy:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "sea warrior."
121. **Murray:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "sea warrior."
122. **Nelson:** Son of Neil, a Scottish name meaning "champion."
123. **Newman:** One who is new or recent.
124. **Newton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "new town."
125. **Nichols:** Son of Nicholas, a Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
126. **Nixon:** Son of Nixon, a variant of the name "Nicholas."
127. **Noble:** A surname of English origin, meaning "noble."
128. **Norman:** A surname of French origin, meaning "northern man."
129. **North:** A descriptive surname, indicating a location in the north.
130. **Norton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "north farm."
131. **O'Brien:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Brian."
132. **O'Connor:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Connor."
133. **Oliver:** A French name meaning "olive tree."
134. **Owen:** A Welsh name meaning "noble."
135. **Page:** A surname of English origin, meaning "boy" or "servant."
136. **Palmer:** A surname of English origin, meaning "pilgrim."
137. **Parker:** One who keeps or tends a park.
138. **Patterson:** Son of Patrick, a Latin name meaning "nobleman."
139. **Paul:** A Latin name meaning "small."
140. **Payne:** A surname of English origin, meaning "pain" or "suffering."
141. **Pearson:** Son of Peter, a Greek name meaning "stone" or "rock."
142. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "Peter."
143. **Phillips:** Son of Philip, a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
144. **Pierce:** A surname of English origin, meaning "pierce" or "piercer."
145. **Porter:** One who carries goods or luggage.
146. **Powell:** A surname of English origin, meaning "pool."
147. **Price:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "priest" or "son of the priest."
148. **Pritchard:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "son of the priest."
149. **Quinn:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Conn."
150. **Ramos:** A Spanish surname meaning "branches."
151. **Randall:** A surname of English origin, meaning "counselor."
152. **Reed:** A surname of English origin, meaning "reed."
153. **Reeves:** A surname of English origin, meaning "steward" or "bailiff."
154. **Reid:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "red" or "ruddy."
155. **Reynolds:** A surname of English origin, meaning "king of the reindeer."
156. **Rice:** A surname of Welsh origin, meaning "ardor" or "fiery."
157. **Richards:** Son of Richard, a Germanic name meaning "powerful ruler."
158. **Richardson:** Son of Richard, a Germanic name meaning "powerful ruler."
159. **Ridley:** A place name of English origin, meaning "clearing in the valley."
160. **Riley:** A surname of English origin, meaning "rye field."
161. **Roberts:** Son of Robert, a German name meaning "bright fame."
162. **Robertson:** Son of Robert, a German name meaning "bright fame."
163. **Robinson:** Son of Robin, a diminutive of the name "Robert," meaning "bright fame."
164. **Rodgers:** Son of Roger, a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
165. **Rogers:** Son of Roger, a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
166. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."
167. **Rogers:** Son of Roger, a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
168. **Roman:** A surname of Latin origin, meaning "from Rome."
169. **Rose:** A surname of English origin, meaning "rose."
170. **Ross:** A place name of Scottish origin, meaning "moor" or "marshland."
171. **Russell:** A surname of French origin, meaning "red" or "ruddy."
172. **Ryan:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "little king."
173. **Sanders:** Son of Sander, a variant of the name "Alexander," meaning "defender of mankind."
174. **Sanderson:** Son of Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."
175. **Santos:** A Spanish surname meaning "saints."
176. **Saunders:** Son of Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."
177. **Savage:** A surname of English origin, meaning "wild" or "untamed."
178. **Schmitt:** A German surname meaning "blacksmith."
179. **Schneider:** A German surname meaning "tailor."
180. **Scott:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "Scot" or "from Scotland."
181. **Sears:** A surname of English origin, meaning "sea" or "shore."
182. **Shaw:** A surname of English origin, meaning "wood" or "grove."
183. **Shepherd:** One who tends sheep.
184. **Sherman:** A surname of English origin, meaning "shearer."
185. **Short:** A descriptive surname, indicating a short stature.
186. **Simmons:** Son of Simon, a Hebrew name meaning "hearing" or "listening."
187. **Simpson:** Son of Simon, a Hebrew name meaning "hearing" or "listening."
188. **Smith:** One who works with metal.
189. **Snider:** A surname of English origin, meaning "cutter."
190. **Snow:** A descriptive surname, indicating white hair or complexion.
191. **Snyder:** A surname of German origin, meaning "tailor."
192. **Solis:** A Spanish surname meaning "sun."
193. **Spencer:** A surname of English origin, meaning "storekeeper."
194. **Spence:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "storekeeper."
195. **Stanley:** A place name of English origin, meaning "stone field."
196. **Steele:** A surname of English origin, meaning "steel."
197. **Stephens:** Son of Stephen, a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
198. **Stevenson:** Son of Stephen, a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
199. **Stewart:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward" or "caretaker."
200. **Stokes:** A surname of English origin, meaning "stoked" or "burned."
201. **Stone:** A descriptive surname, indicating a location near a stone.
202. **Strong:** A descriptive surname, indicating strength.
203. **Stuart:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "steward" or "caretaker."
204. **Sullivan:** A surname of Irish origin, meaning "black-eyed."
205. **Taylor:** One who makes clothes.
206. **Thomas:** A Hebrew name meaning "twin."
207. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas, a Hebrew name meaning "twin."
208. **Thornton:** A place name of English origin, meaning "thorny place."
209. **Tillman:** A surname of English origin, meaning "tiller" or "farmer."
210. **Todd:** A surname of English origin, meaning "fox."
211. **Turner:** One who makes or works with wood.
212. **Tyler:** A surname of English origin, meaning "tile maker."
213. **Underwood:** A surname of English origin, meaning "under the wood."
214. **Valentine:** A Latin name meaning "strong and healthy."
215. **Vargas:** A Spanish surname meaning "variegated."
216. **Vasquez:** A Spanish surname meaning "little Basque."
217. **Velasquez:** A Spanish surname meaning "little veil."
218. **Velez:** A Spanish surname meaning "little veil."
219. **Vera:** A Spanish surname meaning "true."
220. **Vincent:** A Latin name meaning "conquering."
221. **Walker:** One who walks.
222. **Wallace:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "Welshman."
223. **Walter:** A Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
224. **Ward:** A surname of English origin, meaning "guardian" or "protector."
225. **Warner:** A surname of English origin, meaning "warrior" or "defender."
226. **Warren:** A surname of English origin, meaning "enclosure" or "park."
227. **Washington:** A place name of English origin, meaning "dwelling place of the people of Waes."
228. **Watson:** Son of Walter, a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
229. **Weaver:** One who weaves cloth.
230. **Webb:** A surname of English origin, meaning "weaver."
231. **Webster:** A surname of English origin, meaning "weaver."
232. **Wells:** A surname of English origin, meaning "springs" or "wells."
233. **West:** A descriptive surname, indicating a location in the west.
234. **White:** A descriptive surname, indicating white hair or complexion.
235. **Williams:** Son of William, a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
236. **Williamson:** Son of William, a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
237. **Wilson:** Son of Will, a diminutive of the name "William," meaning "resolute protector."
238. **Winstead:** A place name of English origin, meaning "windy place."
239. **Winston:** A place name of English origin, meaning "windy town."
240. **Wise:** A descriptive surname, indicating wisdom.
241. **Wood:** A surname of English origin, meaning "wood."
242. **Wright:** A surname of English origin, meaning "craftsman" or "worker."
243. **Young:** A descriptive surname, indicating youth.
244. **Zimmerman:** A German surname meaning "carpenter."