Possessive Last Names Ending in "s": A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for a unique and distinctive last name that ends in "s"? Look no further! This guide will delve into the fascinating world of possessive last names ending in "s", exploring their origins, meanings, and popular examples. Possessive surnames, often formed by adding "-s" or "-es" to a base name, indicate ownership or belonging. This article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of these surnames, offering insights into their history and cultural significance.
1. **Adams:** Derived from the Old English word "ædm" meaning "earth", "Adam" is a biblical name meaning "man" or "mankind".
2. **Andersons:** "Anderson" is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Anders," which in turn comes from the Greek name "Andreas" meaning "manly" or "strong."
3. **Barrows:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "bearu," meaning "hill" or "mound," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a hill or had a hill-shaped piece of land.
4. **Bakers:** A straightforward occupational surname indicating a person whose profession was that of a baker.
5. **Bentleys:** This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the place name "Bentley," which means "a meadow near a hill."
6. **Blackburns:** This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the place name "Blackburn," which means "black brook" or "dark stream."
7. **Blundells:** This surname has Anglo-Saxon roots and is derived from the place name "Blundell," which means "a place where the bluebells grow."
8. **Brooks:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "brōc," meaning "a small stream," implying that the original bearer lived near a stream or worked with water.
9. **Browns:** A descriptive surname indicating a person who had brown hair or skin, or who lived in a place with brown soil.
10. **Burkes:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "buidhe" meaning "yellow" or "pale," possibly referencing a person's complexion or the color of their hair.
11. **Campbells:** This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "caimbeul," meaning "crooked mouth" or "warped."
12. **Carpenters:** This surname is a straightforward occupational surname indicating a person whose profession was that of a carpenter.
13. **Carters:** This occupational surname denotes a person who drove a cart, often used for transporting goods.
14. **Chases:** This surname is derived from the Old French word "chasse," meaning "hunt" or "pursuit," suggesting that the original bearer was a hunter or involved in hunting.
15. **Clarks:** This occupational surname signifies a person who worked as a scribe or a clerk, usually involved in record-keeping or administrative tasks.
16. **Clemons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Clement," which comes from the Latin word "clemens" meaning "merciful" or "gentle."
17. **Collins:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Colin," which is a Scottish form of the Latin name "Nicolaus" meaning "victory of the people."
18. **Coopers:** This occupational surname denotes a person who made or repaired barrels, casks, and other containers.
19. **Cunninghams:** This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "cuinneach," meaning "corner" or "angle," combined with "ham," meaning "home" or "settlement."
20. **Davidsons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of David," which is a biblical name meaning "beloved."
21. **Davises:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of David," which is a biblical name meaning "beloved."
22. **Dennises:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Dennis," which comes from the Latin word "Dionysius" meaning "belonging to Dionysus," the Greek god of wine.
23. **Donahues:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "donnchadh," meaning "brown warrior."
24. **Edwards:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Edward," which is a Germanic name meaning "wealthy guardian."
25. **Evans:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Evan," which is a Welsh form of the Hebrew name "John" meaning "God is gracious."
26. **Fords:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "ford," meaning "a shallow place in a river or stream," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a ford or had a ford on their property.
27. **Foxes:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "fox," meaning "a cunning animal," possibly suggesting that the original bearer was known for their cleverness or that they lived in a place where foxes were common.
28. **Garretts:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Garrett," which is a Germanic name meaning "spear strength."
29. **Gills:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "gil," meaning "a narrow valley or ravine," implying that the original bearer lived near a gill or had a gill on their property.
30. **Gordons:** This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "gòrdan," meaning "great valley," suggesting that the original bearer lived in a large valley.
31. **Grahams:** This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "gràm," meaning "gravel" or "sandy ground."
32. **Greenes:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who lived in a place where there was a lot of green vegetation or who had a green complexion.
33. **Harrisons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Harry," which is a diminutive form of the Germanic name "Henry" meaning "ruler of the home."
34. **Hawkins:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Hawk," which is a bird known for its sharp vision and hunting prowess.
35. **Hayes:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hæg," meaning "hedge" or "enclosure," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a hedge or owned a piece of land surrounded by a hedge.
36. **Henrys:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Henry," which is a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the home."
37. **Hodges:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Hodge," which is a diminutive form of the name "Roger," which is derived from the Germanic name "Hrodgar" meaning "famous spear."
38. **Holsons:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hol," meaning "hollow" or "cave," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a hollow or cave.
39. **Howards:** This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the place name "Howard," which means "high hill" or "hill above a hill."
40. **Hughes:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Hugh," which is a Germanic name meaning "mind, spirit."
41. **Jacksons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Jack," which is a diminutive form of the name "John" meaning "God is gracious."
42. **Jamesons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of James," which is a biblical name meaning "supplanter."
43. **Johnsons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of John," which is a biblical name meaning "God is gracious."
44. **Jones:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of John," which is a biblical name meaning "God is gracious."
45. **Kellys:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "ceallach," meaning "bright-headed."
46. **Kennedys:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "cinn éadaigh," meaning "head of the household."
47. **Kings:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who was a king or who had a royal lineage.
48. **Knights:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who was a knight, a warrior who was granted a title by a sovereign.
49. **Lawrences:** This surname is derived from the Latin name "Laurentius," meaning "from Laurentum," a town in Italy.
50. **Lees:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "lēah," meaning "meadow" or "clearing," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a meadow or clearing.
51. **Lewis:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Lewis," which is a Welsh form of the Latin name "Ludovicus" meaning "famous warrior."
52. **Lloyds:** This surname is of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh word "llwyd," meaning "grey" or "pale," suggesting that the original bearer had a pale complexion or lived in a place with grey soil.
53. **Longs:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who was tall or who lived in a long place.
54. **MacDonalds:** This surname is of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Donald," which is a Gaelic name meaning "world ruler."
55. **Martins:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Martin," which is a Latin name meaning "warlike."
56. **Matthews:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Matthew," which is a Hebrew name meaning "gift of Yahweh."
57. **Mayos:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "máigh," meaning "plain" or "field."
58. **McGregors:** This surname is of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Gregor," which is a Gaelic name meaning "watchful" or "vigilant."
59. **Millers:** This occupational surname indicates a person who worked as a miller, grinding grain to make flour.
60. **Mitchells:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Michael," which is a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God?"
61. **Murphys:** This surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "murchadh," meaning "sea warrior."
62. **Norrises:** This surname is of Norse origin, derived from the Old Norse word "norðr," meaning "north," suggesting that the original bearer lived in the north of a country or region.
63. **Parkers:** This occupational surname denotes a person who worked as a keeper of a park, often involved in managing and protecting the land.
64. **Peters:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Peter," which is a Greek name meaning "stone."
65. **Phillips:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Philip," which is a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
66. **Pritchard:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Richard," which is a Germanic name meaning "strong ruler."
67. **Richards:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Richard," which is a Germanic name meaning "strong ruler."
68. **Roberts:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Robert," which is a Germanic name meaning "bright fame."
69. **Rodgers:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Roger," which is a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
70. **Rogers:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Roger," which is a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
71. **Roscoes:** This surname is of English origin, possibly derived from the place name "Roscoe," which means "place of the rose."
72. **Russells:** This surname is of Norman origin, derived from the French word "russel," meaning "red" or "ruddy."
73. **Saunders:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Alexander," which is a Greek name meaning "defender of men."
74. **Schmidts:** This surname is of German origin, meaning "smith," an occupational surname indicating a person who worked as a blacksmith.
75. **Scotts:** This surname is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "sgòt," meaning "gael" or "irish person."
76. **Sellers:** This surname is an occupational surname indicating a person who sold goods or wares.
77. **Sheppards:** This occupational surname indicates a person who tended to sheep, often referred to as a shepherd.
78. **Simpsons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Simon," which is a Hebrew name meaning "hearing."
79. **Smiths:** This surname is a straightforward occupational surname indicating a person whose profession was that of a blacksmith or metalworker.
80. **Stewarts:** This surname is of Scottish origin, meaning "steward," an officer responsible for managing the affairs of a household or estate.
81. **Sullys:** This surname is derived from the Old French word "suli," meaning "dirty" or "sullied," possibly referencing a person's appearance or place of residence.
82. **Thomases:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Thomas," which is an Aramaic name meaning "twin."
83. **Thornton:** This surname is derived from the Old English words "þorn" meaning "thorn" and "tūn" meaning "enclosure" or "settlement," suggesting that the original bearer lived near a place where thorns grew or had a thorn-covered enclosure.
84. **Walters:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Walter," which is a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
85. **Watkins:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Wat," which is a diminutive form of the name "Walter," which is a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
86. **Webbs:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "webb," meaning "weaver," suggesting that the original bearer was a weaver or that they lived in a place where weaving was common.
87. **Wests:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who lived in the west or who travelled from the west.
88. **Whites:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who had white hair or skin, or who lived in a place with white soil.
89. **Williams:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of William," which is a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
90. **Willis:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Will," which is a diminutive form of the name "William," which is a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
91. **Wilson:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Will," which is a diminutive form of the name "William," which is a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
92. **Wilsons:** This surname is a patronymic, meaning "son of Will," which is a diminutive form of the name "William," which is a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
93. **Wrights:** This occupational surname denotes a person who worked as a craftsman, often involved in making or repairing things.
94. **Youngs:** This surname is a descriptive surname indicating a person who was young or who was considered to be young.