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

Are you curious about how to form the possessive of last names ending in "s"? This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of grammar rules and explore various names, providing detailed explanations for each. Whether you're struggling with the possessive of "Jones" or "Williams", this guide will clarify the proper usage and provide helpful examples to solidify your understanding.
1. **Adams:** Derived from the Old English words "ad" meaning "at" and "ham" meaning "home," indicating a place of residence.
2. **Andrews:** Meaning "son of Andrew," a Greek name meaning "manly" or "strong."
3. **Barnes:** Originating from the Old English word "beorn," meaning "man" or "warrior," suggesting a location where warriors resided.
4. **Brooks:** A place name derived from the Old English word "brōc," meaning "brook" or "small stream," indicating a location near a stream.
5. **Brown:** Derived from the Old English word "brūn," meaning "brown," likely referencing a person's hair color or complexion.
6. **Burns:** A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word "bròn," meaning "grief" or "sorrow," possibly referencing a place of sorrow or a person who experienced hardship.
7. **Carter:** An occupational surname denoting someone who transports goods by cart.
8. **Davis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of David," a Hebrew name meaning "beloved" or "friend."
9. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Edward," an Old English name meaning "wealthy guardian."
10. **Evans:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh name meaning "the Lord is gracious."
11. **Evans:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh name meaning "the Lord is gracious."
12. **Francis:** Derived from the Latin name "Franciscus," meaning "Frenchman."
13. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "bear" or "warrior," possibly referencing a person's strength or courage.
14. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "bear" or "warrior," possibly referencing a person's strength or courage.
15. **Harris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry," an English form of the name Henry, meaning "ruler of the home."
16. **Harris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry," an English form of the name Henry, meaning "ruler of the home."
17. **Hayes:** A place name derived from the Old English word "hēah," meaning "high" or "elevated," indicating a place on high ground.
18. **Hayes:** A place name derived from the Old English word "hēah," meaning "high" or "elevated," indicating a place on high ground.
19. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a variant of the name Ferdinand, meaning "brave" or "peaceful journey."
20. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a variant of the name Ferdinand, meaning "brave" or "peaceful journey."
21. **Hill:** A descriptive surname referencing a person who lived on a hill.
22. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jack," a short form of the name John, meaning "God is gracious."
23. **James:** A Hebrew name meaning "supplanter" or "he who takes the heel."
24. **Jenkins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jenkin," a diminutive form of the name John, meaning "God is gracious."
25. **Jenkins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jenkin," a diminutive form of the name John, meaning "God is gracious."
26. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John," meaning "God is gracious."
27. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John," meaning "God is gracious."
28. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John," meaning "God is gracious."
29. **King:** An occupational surname denoting a person who ruled as a king.
30. **Lawrence:** Derived from the Latin name "Laurentius," meaning "from Laurentum," a place in ancient Italy.
31. **Lewis:** A French surname meaning "famous warrior."
32. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf," possibly referencing a person's strength or bravery.
33. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf," possibly referencing a person's strength or bravery.
34. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin," a Latin name meaning "warlike" or "devoted to Mars."
35. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin," a Latin name meaning "warlike" or "devoted to Mars."
36. **Miller:** An occupational surname denoting someone who grinds grain into flour.
37. **Morris:** A Welsh surname meaning "sea defender" or "sea warrior."
38. **Murphy:** An Irish surname meaning "sea warrior" or "sea defender."
39. **Murphy:** An Irish surname meaning "sea warrior" or "sea defender."
40. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil," a Gaelic name meaning "champion" or "bright."
41. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil," a Gaelic name meaning "champion" or "bright."
42. **Nichols:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nicholas," a Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
43. **Nichols:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nicholas," a Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
44. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Philip," a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
45. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Philip," a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
46. **Richards:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Richard," a Germanic name meaning "powerful ruler."
47. **Richards:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Richard," a Germanic name meaning "powerful ruler."
48. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
49. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a Germanic name meaning "famous ruler."
50. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Roger," a Germanic name meaning "famous spearman."
51. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Roger," a Germanic name meaning "famous spearman."
52. **Ross:** A Scottish surname meaning "moorland" or "headland."
53. **Russell:** A French surname meaning "redhead" or "red-haired."
54. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "holy warrior."
55. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Sancho," a Germanic name meaning "holy warrior."
56. **Sanders:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alexander," a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
57. **Sanders:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alexander," a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
58. **Scott:** A Scottish surname meaning "from Scotland."
59. **Smith:** An occupational surname denoting a person who works with metal.
60. **Smith:** An occupational surname denoting a person who works with metal.
61. **Stevens:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Stephen," a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
62. **Stevens:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Stephen," a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
63. **Stewart:** A Scottish surname meaning "steward" or "caretaker."
64. **Taylor:** An occupational surname denoting a person who makes or repairs clothes.
65. **Thomas:** A Hebrew name meaning "twin."
66. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," meaning "twin."
67. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," meaning "twin."
68. **Torres:** A Spanish surname meaning "towers," possibly referencing a person's strength or stature.
69. **Torres:** A Spanish surname meaning "towers," possibly referencing a person's strength or stature.
70. **Turner:** An occupational surname denoting someone who turns wood or metal.
71. **Walker:** An occupational surname denoting someone who walks or travels.
72. **Wallace:** A Scottish surname meaning "from the forest."
73. **Walter:** A German name meaning "ruler of the army."
74. **Ward:** A place name derived from the Old English word "weard," meaning "guard" or "protector," indicating a place of defense.
75. **Washington:** A place name derived from the Old English word "wæsten," meaning "wasteland" or "desolate place," indicating a location that was once uninhabited.
76. **Watson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Wat," a diminutive form of the name Walter, meaning "ruler of the army."
77. **Watson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Wat," a diminutive form of the name Walter, meaning "ruler of the army."
78. **Williams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William," a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
79. **Williams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William," a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
80. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Will," a short form of the name William, meaning "resolute protector."
81. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Will," a short form of the name William, meaning "resolute protector."
82. **Wright:** An occupational surname denoting someone who makes or repairs things.
83. **Young:** A descriptive surname referencing a person who was young or youthful.