Last Name Change After Marriage: A Guide to Choosing Your New Name

Are you getting married and wondering what to do with your last name? Changing your last name after marriage is a personal choice with many factors to consider. This guide will explore the common options, legal considerations, and cultural nuances surrounding last name changes. From hyphenating to keeping your maiden name, we'll examine the various approaches couples take and the implications of each choice.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew; a common surname of Scottish and English origin.
2. **Baker:** One who bakes; a common occupational surname, suggesting a person who makes bread or other baked goods.
3. **Bell:** A person who rings a bell; a common surname of English origin, with a variety of possible meanings.
4. **Bennett:** Little son; a common surname of English origin, derived from the Old French "benet," meaning "blessed."
5. **Brown:** Someone with brown hair or skin; a common surname of English origin, often associated with the color of hair or skin.
6. **Campbell:** Curved mouth; a surname of Scottish origin, believed to have originated from a place name.
7. **Carter:** One who transports goods; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who hauls goods.
8. **Clark:** Scholar, scribe; a surname of English origin, originally referring to a person who was educated.
9. **Collins:** Son of Colin; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
10. **Davis:** Son of David; a common surname of English origin, derived from a biblical name.
11. **Edwards:** Wealthy guardian; a surname of English origin, derived from the personal name "Edward."
12. **Evans:** Son of Evan; a common surname of Welsh origin, derived from a personal name.
13. **Fisher:** One who catches fish; a common occupational surname, indicating a person who fishes.
14. **Foster:** A foster parent; a common surname of English origin, often associated with someone who cares for others.
15. **Garcia:** Little wolf; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from the given name "Garcia."
16. **Gonzalez:** Son of Gonzalez; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
17. **Green:** Someone who lives near a green space; a common surname of English origin, often associated with nature.
18. **Hall:** A large house; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived in a large house.
19. **Harris:** Son of Harry; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
20. **Hayes:** From the hedge; a common surname of English origin, indicating a person who lived near a hedge.
21. **Henderson:** Son of Henry; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
22. **Hernandez:** Son of Hernando; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
23. **Hill:** One who lives on a hill; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived on a hill.
24. **Jackson:** Son of Jack; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
25. **James:** Supplanter; a common surname of English origin, derived from a biblical name.
26. **Jenkins:** Son of Jenkin; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
27. **Johnson:** Son of John; a common surname of English origin, derived from a biblical name.
28. **Jones:** Son of John; a common surname of Welsh origin, derived from a biblical name.
29. **Kelly:** Bright-headed; a common surname of Irish origin, derived from a personal name.
30. **King:** A ruler; a common surname of English origin, indicating a person of royal lineage.
31. **Lee:** Meadow; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived near a meadow.
32. **Lewis:** Famous warrior; a common surname of Welsh origin, derived from a personal name.
33. **Lopez:** Son of Lopez; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
34. **Martin:** Dedicated to Mars; a common surname of English origin, derived from a Roman god.
35. **Martinez:** Son of Martin; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
36. **Miller:** One who grinds grain; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works in a mill.
37. **Moore:** Moor, bog; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived near a moor or bog.
38. **Morgan:** Sea defender; a common surname of Welsh origin, derived from a personal name.
39. **Murphy:** Sea warrior; a common surname of Irish origin, derived from a personal name.
40. **Nelson:** Son of Neil; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
41. **Parker:** One who keeps a park; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works in a park.
42. **Patterson:** Son of Patrick; a common surname of Scottish origin, derived from a personal name.
43. **Perez:** Pere; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
44. **Phillips:** Son of Philip; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
45. **Powell:** One who lives near a pool; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived near a pool.
46. **Price:** Priest; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who was a priest.
47. **Ramirez:** Strong ram; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
48. **Reed:** One who lives near reeds; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived near reeds.
49. **Reyes:** Kings; a common surname of Spanish origin, indicating someone of royal lineage.
50. **Richardson:** Son of Richard; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
51. **Rivera:** One who lives near a river; a common surname of Spanish origin, indicating someone who lived near a river.
52. **Roberts:** Son of Robert; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
53. **Robinson:** Son of Robin; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
54. **Rodriguez:** Son of Rodrigo; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a personal name.
55. **Rogers:** Son of Roger; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
56. **Ross:** Headland; a common surname of Scottish origin, indicating someone who lived near a headland.
57. **Russell:** Red-haired; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone with red hair.
58. **Sanchez:** Saint John; a common surname of Spanish origin, derived from a biblical name.
59. **Sanders:** Son of Alexander; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
60. **Scott:** From Scotland; a common surname of Scottish origin, indicating someone from Scotland.
61. **Shaw:** Woodland clearing; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who lived in a clearing.
62. **Simmons:** Son of Simon; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
63. **Smith:** One who works with metal; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works in metal.
64. **Stewart:** Steward; a common surname of Scottish origin, indicating someone who was a steward.
65. **Taylor:** One who cuts cloth; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works as a tailor.
66. **Thomas:** Twin; a common surname of English origin, derived from a biblical name.
67. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
68. **Turner:** One who makes things; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works as a turner.
69. **Walker:** One who walks; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who walks.
70. **Wallace:** Welshman; a common surname of Scottish origin, indicating someone from Wales.
71. **Ward:** One who guards; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who guards.
72. **Washington:** Place name; a common surname of English origin, derived from a place name.
73. **Watson:** Son of Walter; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
74. **Williams:** Son of William; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
75. **Wilson:** Son of William; a common surname of English origin, derived from a personal name.
76. **Wright:** A craftsman; a common occupational surname, indicating someone who works as a craftsman.
77. **Young:** Young; a common surname of English origin, indicating someone who was young.