Old English Last Names: A List of Traditional Surnames

Looking for an old English last name that evokes a sense of history and tradition? Old English last names, also known as Anglo-Saxon surnames, are steeped in the rich cultural heritage of England. These names often reflect the individual's occupation, place of origin, or even a distinctive physical characteristic. Let's delve into the fascinating world of old English last names and explore their meanings and origins.
1. **Atkinson:** Meaning "son of Atkin," derived from the name "Atkin," which means "little father."
2. **Baker:** A straightforward occupational surname for someone who bakes bread.
3. **Barber:** Another occupational surname, this time for someone who cuts hair.
4. **Barlow:** Meaning "bare hill," indicating the location where the family originated.
5. **Bates:** Meaning "son of Bate," a name derived from the Old English word "bāt," meaning "oath."
6. **Bennett:** Meaning "little Benedict," a name of Latin origin meaning "blessed."
7. **Bishop:** An occupational surname for someone who holds the office of bishop.
8. **Blackburn:** Meaning "black burn," referring to the dark color of the stream or river near the family's residence.
9. **Blake:** Meaning "black," potentially referring to someone with dark hair or complexion.
10. **Bloom:** A surname for someone who lived near a field of flowers or a place known for its blossoms.
11. **Boone:** Meaning "good," likely indicating a person with a good reputation or character.
12. **Bowman:** An occupational surname for someone who makes or uses bows and arrows.
13. **Bradley:** Meaning "broad meadow," referring to the location where the family lived.
14. **Brooks:** A surname for someone who lived near a brook or stream.
15. **Brown:** A surname for someone with brown hair or complexion.
16. **Butler:** An occupational surname for a male servant in a household.
17. **Campbell:** Meaning "bent mouth," possibly referring to a distinctive facial feature or a place with a crooked path.
18. **Carpenter:** An occupational surname for someone who works with wood.
19. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who transports goods using a cart.
20. **Chapman:** An occupational surname for someone who buys and sells goods, essentially a merchant.
21. **Churchill:** Meaning "church on the hill," referring to a location near a church on elevated ground.
22. **Clarke:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a scribe or secretary.
23. **Cleveland:** Meaning "cliff by the stream," describing a location where a cliff is situated near a watercourse.
24. **Collins:** Meaning "son of Colin," derived from the name "Colin," which means "victory."
25. **Cook:** An occupational surname for someone who prepares food.
26. **Cooper:** An occupational surname for someone who makes barrels or casks.
27. **Cox:** Meaning "son of Cox," a name that could refer to a person who is a "cock" (meaning brave) or an occupational term for a driver of a coach.
28. **Crawford:** Meaning "croft by the ford," indicating a location near a ford where a small field is situated.
29. **Davies:** Meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew name "David," meaning "beloved."
30. **Davis:** Another variant of "Davies," meaning "son of David."
31. **Dawson:** Meaning "son of Daw," a name of uncertain origin, potentially related to the Old English word "dæg," meaning "day."
32. **Dean:** Meaning "valley," likely referring to the location where the family lived.
33. **Dodd:** Meaning "son of Dodd," a name derived from the Old English word "doda," meaning "fool."
34. **Edwards:** Meaning "son of Edward," derived from the Old English name "Eadweard," meaning "wealthy guardian."
35. **Ellis:** Meaning "son of Elias," a name of Hebrew origin meaning "my God is Yahweh."
36. **Evans:** Meaning "son of Evan," derived from the Welsh name "Evan," meaning "the Lord is gracious."
37. **Farmer:** An occupational surname for someone who works the land.
38. **Fisher:** An occupational surname for someone who catches fish.
39. **Fletcher:** An occupational surname for someone who makes arrows.
40. **Ford:** A surname for someone who lived near a ford (a shallow crossing point in a river).
41. **Foster:** Meaning "keeper," potentially referring to someone who cared for children or animals.
42. **Fox:** A surname for someone who lived in a place where foxes were common.
43. **Franklin:** Meaning "freeholder," indicating someone who owned land.
44. **Freeman:** Another surname for someone who owned land and was free from feudal obligations.
45. **Gardner:** An occupational surname for someone who works in a garden.
46. **Garrett:** Meaning "spear ruler," likely a combination of the Old English words "gar" (spear) and "regol" (ruler).
47. **Gibson:** Meaning "son of Gib," a name derived from the Old English word "gib," meaning "bright."
48. **Gilbert:** A name of Germanic origin meaning "bright pledge."
49. **Gill:** Meaning "stream," indicating a location near a stream or small river.
50. **Goldsmith:** An occupational surname for someone who works with gold.
51. **Goodman:** Meaning "good man," indicating a person with a good reputation or character.
52. **Gordon:** Meaning "great dune," referring to a location where the family lived.
53. **Graham:** Meaning "gravelly," likely referring to the soil composition of the family's land.
54. **Grant:** Meaning "great," potentially referring to a person of importance or a location of significant size.
55. **Green:** Meaning "green," referring to a location with verdant vegetation.
56. **Griffin:** Meaning "strong lord," a name that is often associated with the mythical creature of the same name.
57. **Hall:** Meaning "hall," referring to a large building or the location where the family lived.
58. **Hamilton:** Meaning "hill by the settlement," indicating a location where a hill is situated near a village or town.
59. **Harris:** Meaning "son of Harry," derived from the name "Harry," which is a short form of "Henry," meaning "ruler of the home."
60. **Harvey:** Meaning "army warrior," derived from the Old English words "here" (army) and "weard" (warrior).
61. **Hawkins:** Meaning "son of Hawk," derived from the bird of prey of the same name.
62. **Hayward:** Meaning "keeper of the hedges," an occupational surname for someone who tended to the boundaries of a property.
63. **Heath:** Meaning "heath," referring to a location with a type of open, uncultivated land.
64. **Henderson:** Meaning "son of Henry," derived from the name "Henry," meaning "ruler of the home."
65. **Hewitt:** Meaning "son of Hew," a name derived from the Old English word "heo," meaning "she."
66. **Higgins:** Meaning "son of Hugh," derived from the name "Hugh," meaning "mind."
67. **Hill:** A surname for someone who lived on a hill or near a hilly location.
68. **Hodges:** Meaning "son of Hodge," a name derived from the Old English word "hod," meaning "hood."
69. **Holmes:** Meaning "hollow," indicating a location with a sunken area or valley.
70. **Holt:** Meaning "wood," referring to a forested area.
71. **Howard:** Meaning "brave guardian," derived from the Old English words "heard" (brave) and "weard" (guardian).
72. **Hughes:** Meaning "son of Hugh," derived from the name "Hugh," meaning "mind."
73. **Humphrey:** A name of Germanic origin meaning "powerful guardian."
74. **Hunter:** An occupational surname for someone who hunts animals.
75. **Jackson:** Meaning "son of Jack," derived from the name "Jack," which is a short form of "John," meaning "God is gracious."
76. **James:** A name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter."
77. **Jenkins:** Meaning "son of Jenkin," a name derived from the name "Jenkin," which is a short form of "John," meaning "God is gracious."
78. **Jennings:** Meaning "son of Jenning," a name derived from the name "Jenning," which is a short form of "John," meaning "God is gracious."
79. **Johnson:** Meaning "son of John," derived from the name "John," meaning "God is gracious."
80. **Jones:** Another variant of "Johnson," meaning "son of John."
81. **Jordan:** Meaning "to descend," referring to a location near a stream or river.
82. **Joyner:** Meaning "joiner," an occupational surname for someone who joins wood together.
83. **Kay:** Meaning "keeper," potentially referring to someone who cared for children or animals.
84. **Kennedy:** Meaning "descendant of Conn," derived from the Irish name "Conn," meaning "wisdom."
85. **Kent:** Meaning "headland," likely referring to a location on a peninsula or headland.
86. **King:** An occupational surname for someone who holds the office of king.
87. **Knight:** An occupational surname for someone who served as a mounted warrior.
88. **Lambert:** Meaning "bright fame," derived from the Germanic elements "lambi" (bright) and "berht" (fame).
89. **Lawrence:** A name of Latin origin meaning "laurel wreath."
90. **Lee:** Meaning "clearing," indicating a location with an open area in a forest.
91. **Lewis:** A name of Hebrew origin meaning "famous warrior."
92. **Lincoln:** Meaning "pool in the flax-growing land," describing a location with a body of water near a flax field.
93. **Lloyd:** Meaning "gray," potentially referring to the color of hair or complexion or to a location with gray soil.
94. **Long:** Meaning "long," likely referring to a person of tall stature.
95. **Lucas:** A name of Latin origin meaning "light."
96. **Lyle:** Meaning "meadow," referring to a location with grassy, open land.
97. **MacDonald:** Meaning "son of Donald," derived from the Gaelic name "Donald," meaning "world ruler."
98. **Mackenzie:** Meaning "son of Kenneth," derived from the Gaelic name "Kenneth," meaning "handsome."
99. **Madden:** Meaning "son of Madoc," derived from the Welsh name "Madoc," meaning "good."
100. **Manning:** Meaning "son of Man," a name of Hebrew origin meaning "man."
101. **Marsh:** A surname for someone who lived near a marsh or swampy area.
102. **Martin:** A name of Latin origin meaning "warlike."
103. **Mason:** An occupational surname for someone who works with stone.
104. **Matthews:** Meaning "son of Matthew," derived from the Hebrew name "Matthew," meaning "gift of God."
105. **May:** Meaning "powerful," potentially referring to a person of strength or a location with a prominent feature.
106. **McCarthy:** Meaning "son of Carthaigh," derived from the Irish name "Carthaigh," meaning "love."
107. **McGregor:** Meaning "son of Gregor," derived from the Gaelic name "Gregor," meaning "watchful."
108. **McIntyre:** Meaning "son of Intire," derived from the Gaelic name "Intire," meaning "strong lord."
109. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who works in a mill.
110. **Mitchell:** Meaning "son of Michael," derived from the Hebrew name "Michael," meaning "who is like God?"
111. **Moore:** Meaning "moor," referring to a location with a type of open, treeless land.
112. **Morgan:** Meaning "sea-born," derived from the Welsh name "Morgan," which is associated with the sea god Morrigan.
113. **Morris:** Meaning "dark-skinned," potentially referring to a person with a tanned complexion.
114. **Morton:** Meaning "hill farm," indicating a location where a farm is situated on a hill.
115. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior," derived from the Irish name "Murchadh," meaning "sea warrior."
116. **Murray:** Meaning "sea warrior," another variant of "Murphy," derived from the Irish name "Murchadh."
117. **Nelson:** Meaning "son of Neil," derived from the Gaelic name "Neil," meaning "champion."
118. **Newman:** Meaning "new man," potentially referring to someone who was born in a new place or who had a new beginning.
119. **Newton:** Meaning "new town," indicating a location where a new settlement was established.
120. **Nichols:** Meaning "son of Nicholas," derived from the Greek name "Nicholas," meaning "victory of the people."
121. **Noble:** Meaning "noble," referring to a person of high rank or standing.
122. **Norman:** A surname of Norman origin, meaning "northman," referring to the Vikings who settled in Normandy.
123. **Norton:** Meaning "north town," indicating a location in the northern part of a town.
124. **Oliver:** A name of Latin origin meaning "olive tree."
125. **Owen:** A name of Welsh origin meaning "noble."
126. **Page:** An occupational surname for someone who served as a young attendant to a lord or lady.
127. **Palmer:** An occupational surname for someone who traveled to the Holy Land as a pilgrim.
128. **Parker:** Meaning "keeper of the park," an occupational surname for someone who tended to a park or woodland.
129. **Patterson:** Meaning "son of Patrick," derived from the Latin name "Patrick," meaning "nobleman."
130. **Payne:** Meaning "bread," potentially referring to someone who baked bread or lived in a place where bread was made.
131. **Pearce:** Meaning "son of Piers," derived from the name "Piers," which is a short form of "Peter," meaning "rock."
132. **Pearson:** Meaning "son of Peter," derived from the name "Peter," meaning "rock."
133. **Perry:** Meaning "pear orchard," referring to a location with a pear orchard.
134. **Peters:** Meaning "son of Peter," derived from the name "Peter," meaning "rock."
135. **Phillips:** Meaning "son of Philip," derived from the Greek name "Philip," meaning "lover of horses."
136. **Powell:** Meaning "pool," referring to a location near a pond or lake.
137. **Price:** Meaning "priest," potentially referring to a person who was a priest or lived near a church.
138. **Pritchard:** Meaning "son of Richard," derived from the Germanic name "Richard," meaning "strong ruler."
139. **Reed:** Meaning "reed," referring to a location with a type of tall, grass-like plant.
140. **Reese:** Meaning "ardor," potentially referring to a person with a fiery personality or a location with a fiery landscape.
141. **Reynolds:** Meaning "son of Reginald," derived from the Germanic name "Reginald," meaning "wise ruler."
142. **Richards:** Meaning "son of Richard," derived from the Germanic name "Richard," meaning "strong ruler."
143. **Robinson:** Meaning "son of Robin," derived from the name "Robin," which is a short form of "Robert," meaning "bright fame."
144. **Rogers:** Meaning "son of Roger," derived from the Germanic name "Roger," meaning "famous spear."
145. **Rose:** Meaning "rose," referring to the flower of the same name or to a location with rose bushes.
146. **Ross:** Meaning "headland," likely referring to a location on a peninsula or headland.
147. **Russell:** Meaning "red," potentially referring to a person with red hair or complexion.
148. **Ryan:** Meaning "little king," derived from the Irish name "Ríain," meaning "little king."
149. **Sanders:** Meaning "son of Alexander," derived from the Greek name "Alexander," meaning "defender of mankind."
150. **Savage:** Meaning "wild," potentially referring to someone who lived in a wild or untamed area.
151. **Sawyer:** An occupational surname for someone who saws wood.
152. **Scott:** Meaning "Scot," referring to someone who came from Scotland.
153. **Seaman:** An occupational surname for someone who works on ships.
154. **Sellers:** An occupational surname for someone who sells goods.
155. **Shepherd:** An occupational surname for someone who cares for sheep.
156. **Sherman:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a shoemaker.
157. **Shirley:** Meaning "bright meadow," referring to a location with a grassy, open area.
158. **Simmons:** Meaning "son of Simon," derived from the Hebrew name "Simon," meaning "hearing."
159. **Smith:** An occupational surname for someone who works with metal.
160. **Snow:** A surname for someone who lived in a place where snow was common.
161. **Snyder:** Meaning "tailor," an occupational surname for someone who makes clothes.
162. **Solomon:** A name of Hebrew origin meaning "peaceful."
163. **Spencer:** Meaning "steward," an occupational surname for someone who manages a household or estate.
164. **Spence:** Meaning "storehouse," referring to a building where goods are kept.
165. **Spicer:** An occupational surname for someone who makes or sells spices.
166. **Stanley:** Meaning "stone clearing," referring to a location with a cleared area near a rocky outcrop.
167. **Steele:** Meaning "steel," referring to the metal of the same name or to a location where steel was produced.
168. **Stevens:** Meaning "son of Stephen," derived from the Greek name "Stephen," meaning "crown."
169. **Stewart:** Meaning "steward," another variant of "Spencer," an occupational surname for someone who manages a household or estate.
170. **Stone:** A surname for someone who lived near a stone quarry or who worked with stone.
171. **Stowe:** Meaning "place," referring to a specific location or settlement.
172. **Strong:** Meaning "strong," likely referring to a person with physical strength or a location with a strong feature.
173. **Stuart:** Another variant of "Stewart," meaning "steward," an occupational surname for someone who manages a household or estate.
174. **Summers:** Meaning "summer," potentially referring to a location where summer was pleasant or a person born in the summer.
175. **Sutton:** Meaning "south town," indicating a location in the southern part of a town.
176. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who makes clothes.
177. **Thomas:** A name of Aramaic origin meaning "twin."
178. **Thompson:** Meaning "son of Thomas," derived from the Aramaic name "Thomas," meaning "twin."
179. **Thornton:** Meaning "thorn clearing," indicating a location where a thorn bush was cleared.
180. **Tillman:** Meaning "tiller," an occupational surname for someone who plows land.
181. **Todd:** Meaning "fox," potentially referring to someone who lived in a place where foxes were common.
182. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a wood turner.
183. **Vaughan:** A name of Welsh origin meaning "little."
184. **Vincent:** A name of Latin origin meaning "conquering."
185. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who walks or travels.
186. **Wallace:** Meaning "Welshman," referring to someone who came from Wales.
187. **Walter:** A name of Germanic origin meaning "ruler of the army."
188. **Ward:** Meaning "guardian," likely referring to someone who protected a property or person.
189. **Warren:** Meaning "rabbit warren," referring to a location with a rabbit warren.
190. **Washington:** Meaning "settlement on the bog," describing a location where a settlement was established on a marshy area.
191. **Watson:** Meaning "son of Wat," a name derived from the Old English word "wæt," meaning "wet."
192. **Watts:** Meaning "wealthy," potentially referring to a person of wealth or a location with rich resources.
193. **Webb:** Meaning "weaver," an occupational surname for someone who makes cloth.
194. **Webster:** Another variant of "Webb," meaning "weaver," an occupational surname for someone who makes cloth.
195. **Wells:** A surname for someone who lived near a well or spring.
196. **West:** Meaning "west," indicating a location in the western part of a region.
197. **Wheeler:** An occupational surname for someone who makes or repairs wheels.
198. **White:** Meaning "white," potentially referring to a person with fair hair or complexion.
199. **Wilcox:** Meaning "son of Will," derived from the name "Will," which is a short form of "William," meaning "resolute protector."
200. **Wilkins:** Meaning "son of Will," another variant of "Wilcox," derived from the name "Will," which is a short form of "William," meaning "resolute protector."
201. **Williams:** Meaning "son of William," derived from the name "William," meaning "resolute protector."
202. **Wilson:** Meaning "son of Will," another variant of "Wilcox," derived from the name "Will," which is a short form of "William," meaning "resolute protector."
203. **Winchester:** Meaning "white settlement," describing a location where a white settlement was established.
204. **Windsor:** Meaning "winding river," referring to a location near a meandering river.
205. **Winter:** Meaning "winter," potentially referring to a location where winter was harsh or a person born in the winter.
206. **Wise:** Meaning "wise," likely referring to a person with knowledge or wisdom.
207. **Wood:** Meaning "wood," referring to a forested area.
208. **Woodward:** Meaning "keeper of the woods," an occupational surname for someone who tended to a forest or woodland.
209. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who works with wood or builds things.
210. **Wyatt:** Meaning "brave," potentially referring to a person with courage or a location with a strong feature.
211. **Young:** Meaning "young," likely referring to a person who was young or a location where young people lived.