Old English Last Names: A Look at History and Meaning

Looking for an old English last name that evokes a sense of history and tradition? This list explores some of the most common and intriguing last names with origins in the English language. From descriptive surnames that reflect occupations and physical traits to names derived from places and patronymics, these names offer a glimpse into the lives and heritage of our ancestors.
1. **Abbott:** Meaning "father" or "abbot," a religious leader in a monastery.
2. **Ackerley:** Meaning "meadow near an oak tree."
3. **Adams:** Meaning "son of Adam," a common patronymic surname.
4. **Addison:** Meaning "son of Adam" or "son of the son of Adam."
5. **Ainsworth:** Meaning "near the ash grove."
6. **Aldridge:** Meaning "old ridge" or "ancient ridge."
7. **Alexander:** Meaning "defender of mankind."
8. **Allen:** Meaning "handsome" or "noble."
9. **Anderson:** Meaning "son of Andrew."
10. **Andrews:** Meaning "son of Andrew."
11. **Arnold:** Meaning "strong as an eagle."
12. **Ashby:** Meaning "near the ash tree."
13. **Ashcroft:** Meaning "ash tree cross" or "field of ash trees."
14. **Ashley:** Meaning "ash tree meadow."
15. **Astley:** Meaning "ash tree meadow" or "meadow of ash trees."
16. **Atkins:** Meaning "son of Atkin."
17. **Atkinson:** Meaning "son of Atkin."
18. **Austin:** Meaning "august," "venerable," or "worthy."
19. **Baker:** Meaning "one who bakes bread."
20. **Ballard:** Meaning "bold" or "brave."
21. **Banks:** Meaning "one who lives near the banks of a river or stream."
22. **Barber:** Meaning "one who shaves or cuts hair."
23. **Barker:** Meaning "one who tans hides."
24. **Barnes:** Meaning "son of Barnabas."
25. **Barnett:** Meaning "son of Barnabas."
26. **Barton:** Meaning "barley farm" or "farm near barley."
27. **Bates:** Meaning "one who bakes."
28. **Bateman:** Meaning "son of Bateman."
29. **Baxter:** Meaning "baker."
30. **Bayley:** Meaning "bailiff" or "one who manages an estate."
31. **Beaumont:** Meaning "beautiful mountain."
32. **Beckett:** Meaning "little stream" or "small brook."
33. **Bedford:** Meaning "ford near the beech tree."
34. **Bell:** Meaning "one who makes bells."
35. **Bennett:** Meaning "blessed" or "holy."
36. **Bentley:** Meaning "meadow near the bend of a river."
37. **Bernard:** Meaning "brave bear."
38. **Berry:** Meaning "one who gathers berries."
39. **Blackburn:** Meaning "black stream."
40. **Blake:** Meaning "black" or "dark."
41. **Bland:** Meaning "gentle" or "mild."
42. **Bloomfield:** Meaning "field of flowers."
43. **Boone:** Meaning "dweller in a grove of trees."
44. **Booth:** Meaning "dwelling."
45. **Bowden:** Meaning "dwelling in a valley."
46. **Bowman:** Meaning "archer."
47. **Boyd:** Meaning "dweller in a grove of trees."
48. **Boyle:** Meaning "one who lives near a boiling spring."
49. **Bradford:** Meaning "broad ford."
50. **Bradley:** Meaning "broad meadow" or "wide clearing."
51. **Bradshaw:** Meaning "broad meadow" or "wide clearing."
52. **Brawn:** Meaning "brown" or "dark."
53. **Bray:** Meaning "hill or ridge."
54. **Brewer:** Meaning "one who makes beer."
55. **Bridgeman:** Meaning "one who builds bridges."
56. **Briggs:** Meaning "bridge."
57. **Bright:** Meaning "shining" or "radiant."
58. **Brooks:** Meaning "one who lives near a brook."
59. **Brown:** Meaning "one who has brown hair or skin."
60. **Bruce:** Meaning "broom" or "thicket."
61. **Bryant:** Meaning "strong" or "vigorous."
62. **Buckingham:** Meaning "dweller by the beech tree."
63. **Bullard:** Meaning "one who works with bulls."
64. **Burnett:** Meaning "strong protector" or "warrior."
65. **Burton:** Meaning "fort" or "settlement."
66. **Bush:** Meaning "dweller in a bush or thicket."
67. **Butler:** Meaning "bottle bearer" or "server of drinks."
68. **Byrd:** Meaning "bird."
69. **Byrom:** Meaning "dweller near the brook."
70. **Calvert:** Meaning "bald head."
71. **Campbell:** Meaning "crooked mouth."
72. **Cannon:** Meaning "one who makes cannons."
73. **Carlisle:** Meaning "castle on the hill."
74. **Carpenter:** Meaning "one who works with wood."
75. **Carr:** Meaning "rock" or "stone."
76. **Carter:** Meaning "one who transports goods by cart."
77. **Cartwright:** Meaning "one who makes carts."
78. **Cary:** Meaning "dear" or "beloved."
79. **Case:** Meaning "house" or "dwelling."
80. **Castle:** Meaning "dweller in a castle."
81. **Cavendish:** Meaning "hollow" or "valley."
82. **Chadwick:** Meaning "one who lives on the hillside."
83. **Chapman:** Meaning "merchant" or "trader."
84. **Charlesworth:** Meaning "farm near the ford."
85. **Chase:** Meaning "forest" or "hunting ground."
86. **Chatfield:** Meaning "field of chat."
87. **Cheek:** Meaning "one who lives near a cheek."
88. **Chester:** Meaning "camp" or "fort."
89. **Child:** Meaning "one who is young or small."
90. **Church:** Meaning "one who lives near a church."
91. **Clack:** Meaning "one who makes a clicking noise."
92. **Clarendon:** Meaning "clear field."
93. **Clark:** Meaning "clerk" or "scribe."
94. **Clay:** Meaning "one who works with clay."
95. **Clayton:** Meaning "clay town."
96. **Clemens:** Meaning "merciful" or "kind."
97. **Cleveland:** Meaning "cliff near a meadow."
98. **Clifford:** Meaning "ford near a cliff."
99. **Clifton:** Meaning "cliff town."
100. **Clinton:** Meaning "cliff town."