South African Last Names: A Comprehensive List of Popular Surnames

Looking for a list of common South African last names? This comprehensive guide provides a detailed overview of popular surnames in South Africa, exploring their origins, meanings, and cultural significance. Discover the rich tapestry of South African heritage reflected in these diverse surnames.
1. Smith: A common surname of English origin, meaning "one who works with metal".
2. Jones: Another popular English surname, derived from "John's son".
3. Brown: An English surname with origins in the colour brown, likely referencing a person's occupation, appearance, or place of residence.
4. Davis: An English surname meaning "son of David", a popular biblical name.
5. Miller: An English surname referring to someone who works as a miller, grinding grain.
6. Wilson: An English surname meaning "son of William".
7. Moore: An English surname derived from the word "moor", indicating someone who lived near a bog or wetland.
8. Taylor: An English surname referring to someone who works as a tailor, making clothes.
9. Anderson: An English surname meaning "son of Andrew".
10. Thomas: A common English surname derived from the biblical name "Thomas".
11. Jackson: An English surname meaning "son of Jack".
12. White: An English surname referring to a person with fair skin or hair.
13. Harris: An English surname with origins in the word "Harry", a popular name.
14. Martin: A Latin surname meaning "Mars' warrior", referencing the Roman god of war.
15. Thompson: An English surname meaning "son of Thomas".
16. Garcia: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcia".
17. Martinez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin".
18. Rodriguez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo".
19. Hernandez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando".
20. Lopez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope".
21. Gonzalez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo".
22. Perez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro".
23. Robinson: An English surname meaning "son of Robin".
24. Lewis: An English surname derived from the name "Lewis", of Germanic origin.
25. Lee: An English surname meaning "meadow" or "clearing".
26. Walker: An English surname referring to someone who works as a walker, carrying goods.
27. Hall: An English surname meaning "dwelling" or "house".
28. Allen: An English surname derived from the word "Alan", a popular name.
29. Young: An English surname meaning "young" or "youthful".
30. Hernandez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando".
31. King: An English surname referring to a person of royal lineage.
32. Wright: An English surname meaning "craftsman" or "artisan".
33. Lopez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope".
34. Hill: An English surname referring to someone who lives on a hill.
35. Scott: An English surname derived from the word "Scots", referring to a person from Scotland.
36. Green: An English surname referring to a person with green eyes or who lives near a green area.
37. Adams: An English surname meaning "son of Adam".
38. Baker: An English surname referring to someone who works as a baker.
39. Gonzalez: A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo".
40. Nelson: An English surname meaning "son of Neil".