Last Name Apostrophe S: Meaning and Origin

Last names with an apostrophe "s" at the end are often a source of curiosity. This suffix indicates a genealogical connection, often signifying a patronymic or a possessive form. The "s" denotes a relationship to the preceding name, whether it's a father's name, a place of origin, or a profession. Let's explore the meaning and origin of some common last names with the 's' ending, shedding light on their unique histories and the stories they hold.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew; derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "strong."
2. **Bakers:** A person who bakes bread or pastries; an occupational surname.
3. **Barnes:** A person who lived near a barn or worked with them; an occupational surname.
4. **Beckett:** A diminutive form of Beck, meaning "brook" or "stream"; a topographic surname.
5. **Bennett:** A shortened form of Benedict, meaning "blessed" or "happy"; a religious surname.
6. **Blackwell:** A person who lived near a black well or worked with them; a topographic surname.
7. **Bloomfield:** A person who lived near a field of wildflowers; a topographic surname.
8. **Bolton:** A person who lived in or near Bolton, a town in England; a locational surname.
9. **Brooks:** A person who lived near a stream or brook; a topographic surname.
10. **Brown:** A person with brown hair or complexion; a descriptive surname.
11. **Burns:** A person who lived near a burn or stream; a topographic surname.
12. **Butler:** A person who served as a butler; an occupational surname.
13. **Byrne:** A person who lived near a burn or stream; a topographic surname.
14. **Campbell:** A person who lived near a curved field; a topographic surname.
15. **Carter:** A person who transported goods using a cart; an occupational surname.
16. **Chapman:** A person who bought and sold goods; a merchant surname.
17. **Clark:** A person who worked as a clerk; an occupational surname.
18. **Collins:** A person who lived near a hill or ridge; a topographic surname.
19. **Cunningham:** A person who lived in or near Cunningham, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
20. **Davies:** Son of David; derived from the Hebrew name David, meaning "beloved" or "friend."
21. **Davis:** Son of David; derived from the Hebrew name David, meaning "beloved" or "friend."
22. **Dawson:** Son of Dawson; derived from the name Dawson, meaning "son of David."
23. **Edwards:** Son of Edward; derived from the Old English name Eadweard, meaning "wealthy guardian."
24. **Evans:** Son of Evan; derived from the Welsh name Evan, meaning "the Lord is gracious."
25. **Evans:** A person who lived in a place with many oaks; a topographic surname.
26. **Fisher:** A person who caught fish; an occupational surname.
27. **Fitzgerald:** Son of Gerald; derived from the Germanic name Gerald, meaning "spear ruler."
28. **Fleming:** A person who lived in a place where flax was grown; a topographic surname.
29. **Ford:** A person who lived near a ford (a shallow crossing point in a river); a topographic surname.
30. **Foster:** A person who cared for children or orphans; an occupational surname.
31. **Fox:** A person who lived near a place where foxes were common; a topographic surname.
32. **Franklin:** A person who was free from feudal obligations; a social class surname.
33. **Gardner:** A person who tended gardens; an occupational surname.
34. **Garrett:** A person who lived near a spear-shaped hill; a topographic surname.
35. **Gibson:** Son of Gilbert; derived from the Germanic name Gilbert, meaning "bright hostage."
36. **Gilmore:** A person who lived in or near Gilmore, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
37. **Gordon:** A person who lived in or near Gordon, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
38. **Gray:** A person with gray hair or complexion; a descriptive surname.
39. **Green:** A person who lived in or near a green space; a topographic surname.
40. **Harris:** Son of Harry; derived from the Germanic name Henry, meaning "ruler of the house."
41. **Harrison:** Son of Harry; derived from the Germanic name Henry, meaning "ruler of the house."
42. **Harvey:** A person who lived near a wooded area or a place where hawks lived; a topographic surname.
43. **Hawkins:** Son of Hawk; a patronymic surname.
44. **Hayes:** A person who lived in or near Hayes, a place in England; a locational surname.
45. **Henderson:** Son of Henry; derived from the Germanic name Henry, meaning "ruler of the house."
46. **Henry:** A person who lived in or near Henry, a place in England; a locational surname.
47. **Herbert:** A person who lived near a bright field; a topographic surname.
48. **Hill:** A person who lived on a hill or near one; a topographic surname.
49. **Hodges:** Son of Hodge; a patronymic surname.
50. **Holmes:** A person who lived near a holm (a small island or riverbank); a topographic surname.
51. **Hopkins:** Son of Hopkin; a patronymic surname.
52. **Howard:** A person who lived near a white hill; a topographic surname.
53. **Hunter:** A person who hunted animals; an occupational surname.
54. **Jackson:** Son of Jack; a patronymic surname, derived from the nickname for John.
55. **James:** Son of James; derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter."
56. **Jenkins:** Son of Jenkin; a patronymic surname, derived from the nickname for John.
57. **Johnson:** Son of John; a patronymic surname, derived from the Hebrew name John, meaning "God is gracious."
58. **Jones:** Son of John; a patronymic surname, derived from the Hebrew name John, meaning "God is gracious."
59. **Jordan:** A person who lived near a place with a flowing river; a topographic surname.
60. **Kennedy:** A person who lived in or near Kennedy, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
61. **King:** A person who ruled a kingdom; an occupational surname.
62. **Kirk:** A person who lived near a church; a topographic surname.
63. **Knight:** A person who served as a knight; an occupational surname.
64. **Knox:** A person who lived near a knoll or hill; a topographic surname.
65. **Lawrence:** A person who lived near a laurel tree; a topographic surname.
66. **Lee:** A person who lived near a meadow; a topographic surname.
67. **Lewis:** Son of Louis; derived from the Germanic name Louis, meaning "famous warrior."
68. **Lincoln:** A person who lived in or near Lincoln, a city in England; a locational surname.
69. **Lloyd:** A person who lived in a place with gray soil; a topographic surname.
70. **Long:** A person who was tall or who lived in a long place; a descriptive surname.
71. **Lopez:** Son of Lope; derived from the Spanish name Lope, meaning "wolf."
72. **Lucas:** Son of Luke; derived from the Greek name Lucas, meaning "light."
73. **MacDonald:** Son of Donald; derived from the Gaelic name Donald, meaning "world ruler."
74. **MacGregor:** Son of Gregor; derived from the Gaelic name Gregor, meaning "watchful."
75. **MacKenzie:** Son of Kenneth; derived from the Gaelic name Kenneth, meaning "born of fire."
76. **Madison:** A person who lived in or near Madison, a place in England; a locational surname.
77. **Martin:** A person who was dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war; a religious surname.
78. **Mason:** A person who worked with stone; an occupational surname.
79. **Matthews:** Son of Matthew; derived from the Hebrew name Matthew, meaning "gift of God."
80. **Maxwell:** A person who lived in or near Maxwell, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
81. **Mayer:** A person who was a mayor; an occupational surname.
82. **McCarthy:** Son of Carthaigh; a patronymic surname, meaning "lover of love."
83. **McConnell:** Son of Connell; a patronymic surname, meaning "strong-headed."
84. **McDonald:** Son of Donald; a patronymic surname, meaning "world ruler."
85. **McDowell:** Son of Domhnall; a patronymic surname, meaning "world ruler."
86. **McFarland:** Son of Fearchar; a patronymic surname, meaning "strong man."
87. **McGregor:** Son of Gregor; a patronymic surname, meaning "watchful."
88. **McGuire:** Son of Goire; a patronymic surname, meaning "gentleman."
89. **McKinney:** Son of Cinaed; a patronymic surname, meaning "fire."
90. **McKnight:** Son of Cionaod; a patronymic surname, meaning "fire."
91. **McLain:** Son of Laimh; a patronymic surname, meaning "hand."
92. **McLean:** Son of Liam; a patronymic surname, meaning "strong-willed."
93. **Miller:** A person who worked as a miller; an occupational surname.
94. **Mitchell:** Son of Michael; a patronymic surname, derived from the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?"
95. **Moore:** A person who lived near a moor (a boggy area); a topographic surname.
96. **Morgan:** A person who lived near the sea; a topographic surname.
97. **Morris:** Son of Maurice; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Maurice, meaning "dark-skinned."
98. **Murphy:** Son of Murchadh; a patronymic surname, meaning "sea warrior."
99. **Nelson:** Son of Neil; a patronymic surname, derived from the Gaelic name Neil, meaning "champion."
100. **Newman:** A person who was a new inhabitant of a place; a descriptive surname.
101. **Newton:** A person who lived near a new town; a topographic surname.
102. **Nichols:** Son of Nicholas; a patronymic surname, derived from the Greek name Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people."
103. **Noble:** A person of high rank or standing; a descriptive surname.
104. **Norman:** A person who came from Normandy; a locational surname.
105. **Norton:** A person who lived in or near Norton, a place in England; a locational surname.
106. **O'Brien:** Son of Brian; a patronymic surname, derived from the Gaelic name Brian, meaning "strong."
107. **O'Connell:** Son of Connell; a patronymic surname, meaning "strong-headed."
108. **O'Connor:** Son of Conchobhar; a patronymic surname, meaning "lover of hounds."
109. **O'Donnell:** Son of Domhnall; a patronymic surname, meaning "world ruler."
110. **O'Hara:** Son of Aodh; a patronymic surname, meaning "fire."
111. **Oliver:** A person who lived near an olive tree; a topographic surname.
112. **Owen:** A person who was born in a noble place; a descriptive surname.
113. **Parker:** A person who kept or looked after parks; an occupational surname.
114. **Patterson:** Son of Patrick; a patronymic surname, derived from the Latin name Patrick, meaning "nobleman."
115. **Paul:** Son of Paul; derived from the Latin name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble."
116. **Payne:** A person who was a baker; an occupational surname.
117. **Pearson:** Son of Piers; a patronymic surname, derived from the English name Piers, meaning "stone."
118. **Peterson:** Son of Peter; a patronymic surname, derived from the Greek name Peter, meaning "stone."
119. **Phillips:** Son of Philip; a patronymic surname, derived from the Greek name Philip, meaning "lover of horses."
120. **Powell:** A person who lived in a valley; a topographic surname.
121. **Price:** A person who had a high social standing; a descriptive surname.
122. **Prior:** A person who was a priest or monk; an occupational surname.
123. **Quinn:** A person who was descended from a leader; a descriptive surname.
124. **Ramirez:** Son of Ramiro; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Ramiro, meaning "famous counsel."
125. **Reed:** A person who lived near a reed-filled area; a topographic surname.
126. **Reynolds:** Son of Reginald; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Reginald, meaning "powerful ruler."
127. **Rice:** A person who lived near a rice field; a topographic surname.
128. **Richards:** Son of Richard; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Richard, meaning "strong ruler."
129. **Roberts:** Son of Robert; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Robert, meaning "bright fame."
130. **Robinson:** Son of Robin; a patronymic surname, derived from the English name Robin, meaning "bright fame."
131. **Rodgers:** Son of Roger; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Roger, meaning "famous spear."
132. **Rogers:** Son of Roger; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name Roger, meaning "famous spear."
133. **Ross:** A person who lived in or near Ross, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
134. **Russell:** A person who lived in or near Russell, a place in England; a locational surname.
135. **Ryan:** Son of Rían; a patronymic surname, meaning "little king."
136. **Sanders:** Son of Alexander; a patronymic surname, derived from the Greek name Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind."
137. **Scott:** A person who lived in or near Scott, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
138. **Seaman:** A person who worked as a sailor; an occupational surname.
139. **Shepherd:** A person who looked after sheep; an occupational surname.
140. **Simmons:** Son of Simon; a patronymic surname, derived from the Hebrew name Simon, meaning "listener."
141. **Smith:** A person who worked as a blacksmith; an occupational surname.
142. **Snyder:** A person who was a tailor; an occupational surname.
143. **Solomon:** A person who was wise and prosperous; a biblical surname.
144. **Spencer:** A person who was the dispenser of food and drink; an occupational surname.
145. **Stevens:** Son of Stephen; a patronymic surname, derived from the Greek name Stephen, meaning "crown."
146. **Stewart:** A person who held a high position in the royal court; an occupational surname.
147. **Stone:** A person who lived near a stone quarry or worked with stone; a topographic surname.
148. **Sullivan:** Son of Súilleabháin; a patronymic surname, meaning "dark-eyed."
149. **Taylor:** A person who worked as a tailor; an occupational surname.
150. **Thomas:** Son of Thomas; derived from the Aramaic name Thomas, meaning "twin."
151. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas; a patronymic surname, derived from the Aramaic name Thomas, meaning "twin."
152. **Turner:** A person who worked as a turner (a woodworker); an occupational surname.
153. **Vargas:** A person who lived near a place with many reeds; a topographic surname.
154. **Vasquez:** Son of Vasco; a patronymic surname, derived from the Basque name Vasco, meaning "strong."
155. **Velasquez:** Son of Velasco; a patronymic surname, derived from the Basque name Velasco, meaning "little wolf."
156. **Vincent:** A person who conquered; a descriptive surname.
157. **Walker:** A person who walked long distances; an occupational surname.
158. **Wallace:** A person who lived in or near Wallace, a place in Scotland; a locational surname.
159. **Walter:** A person who was strong and powerful; a descriptive surname.
160. **Ward:** A person who guarded a place; an occupational surname.
161. **Warner:** A person who warned people of danger; an occupational surname.
162. **Warren:** A person who lived in a place with many rabbits; a topographic surname.
163. **Washington:** A person who lived in or near Washington, a place in England; a locational surname.
164. **Watson:** Son of Walter; a patronymic surname, meaning "strong and powerful."
165. **Watts:** A person who lived near a watchtower or a place where people were watchful; a topographic surname.
166. **Weaver:** A person who made cloth; an occupational surname.
167. **Webb:** A person who worked with weaving; an occupational surname.
168. **Webster:** A person who wove cloth; an occupational surname.
169. **Wells:** A person who lived near a well; a topographic surname.
170. **West:** A person who lived in the western part of a country; a locational surname.
171. **Wheeler:** A person who made or repaired wheels; an occupational surname.
172. **White:** A person with white hair or complexion; a descriptive surname.
173. **Williams:** Son of William; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name William, meaning "resolute protector."
174. **Wilson:** Son of William; a patronymic surname, derived from the Germanic name William, meaning "resolute protector."
175. **Wood:** A person who lived near a forest; a topographic surname.
176. **Wright:** A person who worked as a craftsman; an occupational surname.
177. **Young:** A person who was young; a descriptive surname.