Last Names Starting with S: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter "S"? Look no further! This comprehensive guide provides a diverse list of surnames beginning with "S", each accompanied by detailed explanations of their origins and meanings. Whether you're researching your family history, brainstorming a character for your next novel, or simply curious about the fascinating world of surnames, this list has something for everyone.
1. **Sachs:** German origin, meaning "sack" or "bag". It was originally an occupational name for someone who made or sold sacks.
2. **Sadler:** English origin, meaning "saddle maker". This was a common occupational name for those who crafted saddles for horses.
3. **Sage:** English origin, meaning "wise" or "knowing". It was often used as a surname for people who were considered wise or learned.
4. **Saint:** English origin, meaning "holy" or "sacred". This was a common surname for people who lived near a church or monastery.
5. **Salazar:** Spanish origin, meaning "from the salt marsh". It was a place name for someone who lived near a salt marsh.
6. **Salgado:** Portuguese origin, meaning "salty". It was an occupational name for someone who worked with salt.
7. **Salinas:** Spanish origin, meaning "salt marshes". It was a place name for someone who lived near salt marshes.
8. **Samuels:** Hebrew origin, meaning "God has heard". This was a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from a father's given name.
9. **Sanchez:** Spanish origin, meaning "son of Sancho". It was a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from a father's given name.
10. **Sanders:** English origin, meaning "someone who lives near a sand dune". It was a place name for someone who lived near a sand dune.
11. **Sanderson:** English origin, meaning "son of Sander". It was a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from a father's given name.
12. **Sandoval:** Spanish origin, meaning "from the sandy hill". It was a place name for someone who lived near a sandy hill.
13. **Santos:** Portuguese origin, meaning "saints". It was often used as a surname for people who were considered holy or sacred.
14. **Sargent:** English origin, meaning "sergeant". This was an occupational name for someone who served as a sergeant in the military.
15. **Sass:** German origin, meaning "sassy" or "spirited". It was a descriptive surname for someone who was known for their sassiness.
16. **Saunders:** English origin, meaning "son of Alexander". It was a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from a father's given name.
17. **Savage:** English origin, meaning "wild" or "untamed". It was often used as a surname for people who lived in wild or untamed areas.
18. **Sawyer:** English origin, meaning "woodcutter". This was an occupational name for someone who cut wood for a living.
19. **Sax:** German origin, meaning "Saxon". This was a surname for someone who was of Saxon descent.
20. **Sayer:** English origin, meaning "someone who speaks". It was an occupational name for someone who spoke for a living, such as a lawyer or a judge.
21. **Scarborough:** English origin, meaning "from the town of Scarborough". It was a place name for someone who came from the town of Scarborough.
22. **Schafer:** German origin, meaning "shepherd". It was an occupational name for someone who tended sheep.
23. **Schmitt:** German origin, meaning "blacksmith". It was an occupational name for someone who worked as a blacksmith.
24. **Schneider:** German origin, meaning "tailor". It was an occupational name for someone who made clothes.
25. **Schofield:** English origin, meaning "someone who lives near the field of sheep". It was a place name for someone who lived near a field of sheep.
26. **Schroeder:** German origin, meaning "tailor". It was an occupational name for someone who made clothes.
27. **Schultz:** German origin, meaning "steward". It was an occupational name for someone who managed a household or estate.
28. **Scott:** Scottish origin, meaning "from Scotland". This was a surname for someone who came from Scotland.
29. **Seaman:** English origin, meaning "sailor". This was an occupational name for someone who worked on a ship.
30. **Searle:** English origin, meaning "happy" or "fortunate". It was often used as a surname for people who were considered happy or fortunate.
31. **Sears:** English origin, meaning "someone who lives near a lake". It was a place name for someone who lived near a lake.
32. **Sebastian:** Latin origin, meaning "venerable" or "worthy of respect". It was originally a given name, but later became a surname.
33. **Segal:** Hebrew origin, meaning "assistant" or "second". It was often used as a surname for people who served as assistants or helpers.
34. **Seitz:** German origin, meaning "victory". It was often used as a surname for people who were victorious or successful.
35. **Selby:** English origin, meaning "from the farm near the willow tree". It was a place name for someone who lived near a farm with willow trees.
36. **Sellars:** English origin, meaning "someone who sells things". It was an occupational name for someone who sold things.
37. **Semple:** Scottish origin, meaning "from the old chapel". It was a place name for someone who lived near an old chapel.
38. **Senior:** English origin, meaning "older" or "more senior". It was often used as a surname for people who were considered older or more senior.
39. **Sepulveda:** Spanish origin, meaning "from the place of tombs". It was a place name for someone who lived near a cemetery.
40. **Serrano:** Spanish origin, meaning "from the mountains". It was a place name for someone who lived in the mountains.