Last Names Starting with N: A Comprehensive List

Looking for a unique and meaningful last name that starts with the letter "N"? This comprehensive list includes over 40 names of diverse origins, each accompanied by a detailed explanation of its meaning and history. Whether you're researching your family lineage or simply searching for inspiration for a new character in your novel, this list has something for everyone.
1. **Naber:** Meaning "neighbor" in German, this surname likely originated from a person who lived near or next to someone else.
2. **Nadeau:** A French surname meaning "woodland" or "grove," possibly indicating a person who lived near a forest.
3. **Nail:** An occupational surname for someone who made or worked with nails.
4. **Nair:** An Indian surname, often associated with the Nair caste in Kerala, a warrior class known for their martial arts skills.
5. **Najera:** A Spanish surname derived from the town of Najera in the Rioja region.
6. **Namath:** An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly related to the place name "Namptwich" in Cheshire.
7. **Napier:** A Scottish surname meaning "nephew" or "descendant," often associated with the town of Napier in Scotland.
8. **Nash:** An English surname with several possible origins, including a place name, an occupational name for someone who worked with rushes, or a descriptive name for someone who lived near a field of ash trees.
9. **Natarajan:** A Tamil surname meaning "Lord of the dance," referring to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and creation.
10. **Nathan:** A Hebrew surname meaning "given by God" or "God has given," a popular name among Jewish people.
11. **Navarro:** A Spanish surname derived from the town of Navarra in Spain.
12. **Neal:** An English surname meaning "champion" or "stalwart," possibly a nickname given to someone who was strong or brave.
13. **Nelson:** An English surname meaning "son of Neil," a common first name in the region of Yorkshire.
14. **Nemes:** A Hungarian surname meaning "noble" or "aristocratic," often indicating a person who was part of the ruling class.
15. **Neumann:** A German surname meaning "new man" or "new person," often given to a child who was born after a period of hardship or loss.
16. **Nguyen:** A Vietnamese surname, one of the most common surnames in Vietnam, with a history dating back to the ancient Ly Dynasty.
17. **Nicholas:** A Greek surname meaning "victory of the people," a popular name in many cultures, including Christianity.
18. **Nielsen:** A Danish surname meaning "son of Niels," a common first name in Scandinavia.
19. **Nightingale:** An English surname that likely originated as a nickname for someone who sang like a nightingale, known for its beautiful voice.
20. **Niles:** An English surname with various origins, possibly a place name, a nickname for someone who lived near a river, or a shortened form of "Nicholas."
21. **Nimmo:** A Scottish surname of uncertain origin, possibly related to the place name "Nimmo" in Fife.
22. **Nixon:** An English surname meaning "son of Nicholas," a common first name in the region of Yorkshire.
23. **Noble:** An English surname meaning "nobleman" or "aristocrat," possibly indicating a person who held a high social status.
24. **Nolan:** An Irish surname meaning "champion" or "warrior," often associated with the Irish clan O'Nolan.
25. **Norris:** An English surname with various origins, possibly a place name, a nickname for someone who lived near a moor, or an occupational name for someone who worked with northmen.
26. **Norton:** An English surname with various origins, possibly a place name, a nickname for someone who lived near a north-facing hill, or an occupational name for someone who worked with northmen.
27. **Novak:** A Slavic surname meaning "new," often given to a child who was born after a period of hardship or loss.
28. **Nowak:** A Polish surname meaning "new," similar in meaning to Novak.
29. **Nuñez:** A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "nomen," meaning "name."
30. **Nuttall:** An English surname meaning "nut tree," possibly indicating a person who lived near a nut tree or worked with nuts.
31. **Nyberg:** A Swedish surname meaning "mountain" or "hill," likely indicating a person who lived near a mountain or hill.
32. **Nye:** An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly a place name, a nickname for someone who was "new" or "young," or a variant of "Nye" meaning "night."
33. **Nyman:** A Swedish surname meaning "new man," often given to a child who was born after a period of hardship or loss.
34. **O'Neal:** An Irish surname meaning "descendant of Neil," a common first name in Ireland.
35. **O'Neill:** Another Irish surname meaning "descendant of Neil," with a similar origin to O'Neal.
36. **O'Neil:** An Irish surname meaning "descendant of Neil," with a similar origin to O'Neal and O'Neill.
37. **Oliver:** A German surname meaning "olive tree," possibly indicating a person who lived near an olive tree or worked with olives.
38. **Olsen:** A Norwegian surname meaning "son of Ole," a common first name in Scandinavia.
39. **O'Malley:** An Irish surname meaning "descendant of Maol-iain," meaning "bald John."
40. **O'Neil:** An Irish surname meaning "descendant of Neil," with a similar origin to O'Neal, O'Neill, and O'Neil.
41. **Ortiz:** A Spanish surname derived from the Latin word "hortus," meaning "garden."
42. **Osborne:** An English surname with various origins, possibly a place name, a nickname for someone who lived near a deer park, or an occupational name for someone who worked with deer.
43. **Owen:** A Welsh surname meaning "noble" or "well-born," often associated with the Welsh clan Owen.