Old English Surnames: A Journey Through History

Curious about the origins of your last name? Old English surnames, often steeped in history and tradition, offer a glimpse into the past. These names, rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture, reveal fascinating insights into the lives and occupations of our ancestors. Let's delve into the captivating world of old English surnames, exploring their meanings, origins, and enduring legacy.
1. **Atkinson:** Derived from the place name "Atkinson," meaning "son of Atkin." Atkin is itself a diminutive of the name "Aethel," meaning "noble" or "precious."
2. **Baker:** This surname, as you might guess, indicates that the family was involved in the craft of baking bread.
3. **Barlow:** A combination of the Old English words "bearu" (barrow) and "hlaw" (hill), this surname points to someone who lived near a barrow, a burial mound.
4. **Bennett:** Meaning "little son," this name is a diminutive of the name "Benedict," which is of Latin origin and means "blessed."
5. **Blackburn:** This surname, a combination of the words "blaec" (black) and "brun" (brown), suggests a connection to a place with dark-colored soil or water.
6. **Bloomfield:** This surname is derived from "blōma" (bloom) and "feld" (field), suggesting a connection to a meadow or field where flowers flourished.
7. **Bolton:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Boltune," meaning "the dwelling of a person named Bola."
8. **Bowman:** This surname denotes a skilled archer, derived from the Old English words "boga" (bow) and "mann" (man).
9. **Bradley:** A surname that combines "brad" (broad) and "leah" (wood), suggesting a residence near a wide woodland.
10. **Brooks:** Derived from "brōc" (brook), this surname signifies a connection to a stream or small river.
11. **Brown:** This surname reflects a person's hair color, derived from the Old English word "brūn."
12. **Butler:** This surname, derived from "boteler" (a court official responsible for wine), suggests a connection to a royal or noble household.
13. **Carpenter:** This occupation-based surname directly translates to someone who works with wood, from the Old English word "cearpenter."
14. **Chapman:** This surname denotes a merchant or trader, derived from the Old English word "ceapman."
15. **Clarke:** This surname stems from the Old English word "clerc," which originally meant "clerk" but later came to mean "scholar" or "scribe."
16. **Coleman:** Derived from "cōl" (coal) and "mann" (man), this surname suggests a connection to someone who worked with coal or lived near a coal mine.
17. **Cooper:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a cooper, a craftsman who makes barrels and tubs.
18. **Crawford:** This surname, originating from the Old English place name "Crawanford," meaning "crow's ford," suggests a connection to a place where crows congregated near a river crossing.
19. **Davies:** This surname is derived from the Welsh word "Dafydd," meaning "beloved" or "favorite."
20. **Davis:** This surname, a variation of "Davies," is also of Welsh origin and holds the same meaning as "beloved" or "favorite."
21. **Dawson:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "dæg" (day) and "sunu" (son), signifying a person who was born on a particular day.
22. **Denison:** This surname, a variation of "Dennison," is a patronymic meaning "son of Dennis." Dennis is derived from the Latin word "Dionysius," meaning "belonging to Dionysus."
23. **Dodd:** This surname is likely derived from the Old English word "doda" (a kind of bird), or possibly from a personal name meaning "dark."
24. **Edwards:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Edward," a name of Germanic origin meaning "wealthy guardian."
25. **Evans:** This surname is derived from the Welsh word "Evan," a form of the name "John," meaning "God is gracious."
26. **Fisher:** This surname indicates a person's occupation as a fisherman.
27. **Fletcher:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "fleċċere," meaning "arrow maker."
28. **Ford:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "ford," signifying a place where a river could be crossed.
29. **Foster:** This surname stems from the Old English word "fostre," meaning "to nourish" or "to raise."
30. **Franklin:** This surname, derived from "franc" (free) and "leah" (wood), suggests a person who lived in a free woodland or held a freeholding.
31. **Gardner:** This surname reflects an occupation as a gardener, derived from the Old English word "gardener."
32. **Garrett:** This surname is a variation of "Gerard," a Germanic name meaning "spear ruler" or "warrior."
33. **Gibson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Gilbert," a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright hostage."
34. **Gilbert:** A name of Germanic origin meaning "bright hostage," this surname is often associated with courage and loyalty.
35. **Gill:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "gille," meaning "youth" or "servant."
36. **Godfrey:** This surname, of Germanic origin, means "peaceful ruler" and is associated with strength and wisdom.
37. **Goodwin:** This surname is derived from the Old English words "gōd" (good) and "wine" (friend), signifying a kind and friendly person.
38. **Gray:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "græg," meaning "grey" or "gray," reflecting hair color.
39. **Green:** This surname, derived from the Old English word "grēne," signifies a connection to a green field or area.
40. **Griffin:** This surname, of Welsh origin, means "strong lord" and is associated with power and strength.
41. **Hall:** This surname, derived from the Old English word "hēall," signifies a large building or dwelling.
42. **Harris:** This surname is a variation of "Henry," a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the house."
43. **Harrison:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Harry," a diminutive of "Henry."
44. **Harvey:** This surname is derived from the Old English words "heor" (army) and "fæger" (beautiful), suggesting a person who is strong and fair.
45. **Hawkins:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hafoc," meaning "hawk," possibly indicating a person who lived near a hawk's nest.
46. **Heath:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hēaþ," meaning "heath," a type of open, uncultivated land.
47. **Henderson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Henry," a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the house."
48. **Hewitt:** This surname, derived from "Hugh" (Germanic name meaning "mind, spirit") and "wit" (Old English for "mind, understanding"), signifies a person with a keen mind.
49. **Hill:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hyll," signifying a raised area of land.
50. **Hobbs:** This surname is a variation of "Robert," a Germanic name meaning "bright fame."
51. **Hodges:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Hodge," a diminutive of "Roger."
52. **Holmes:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "holm," meaning "island" or "small wooded area."
53. **Howard:** This surname, of Germanic origin, means "brave guardian" and is associated with courage and protection.
54. **Hughes:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Hugh," a Germanic name meaning "mind, spirit."
55. **Hunter:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a hunter.
56. **Jackson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Jack," a diminutive of "John."
57. **James:** This surname is derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," meaning "he who supplants."
58. **Jenkins:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Jenkin," a diminutive of "John."
59. **Jennings:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Jenning," a diminutive of "John."
60. **Johnson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of John," a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
61. **Jones:** This surname is derived from the Welsh word "John," meaning "God is gracious."
62. **Jordan:** This surname is derived from the Hebrew word "Yarden," meaning "to descend" or "to flow down," referencing the Jordan River.
63. **Joyce:** This surname is derived from the French word "joie," meaning "joy."
64. **Kelly:** This surname is of Irish origin, meaning "bright" or "handsome."
65. **Kennedy:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "head" or "leader."
66. **King:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "cyning," meaning "king," indicating a person of royal lineage or high status.
67. **Knight:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "cniht," meaning "youth" or "servant," but later came to denote a mounted warrior or nobleman.
68. **Lewis:** This surname is derived from the French word "Louis," a Germanic name meaning "famous warrior."
69. **Lincoln:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Lincolne," meaning "pool of the Romans."
70. **Lloyd:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "grey" or "dark."
71. **Long:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "lang," meaning "long," reflecting a person's physical attribute or perhaps a place name.
72. **Lucas:** This surname is derived from the Latin name "Lucas," meaning "bringer of light."
73. **Lyons:** This surname is of Irish origin, meaning "little wolf."
74. **Martin:** This surname is derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike" or "dedicated to Mars."
75. **Mason:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a stonemason.
76. **Matthews:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Matthew," a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
77. **Maynard:** This surname is of French origin, meaning "powerful guardian."
78. **McAllister:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the strong one."
79. **McCarthy:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the stout one."
80. **McCormick:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the reaper."
81. **McDonald:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of Donald."
82. **McGregor:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the watchful one."
83. **McKinney:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the handsome one."
84. **McLaughlin:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of the young one."
85. **Miller:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a miller, someone who grinds grain.
86. **Mitchell:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Michael," a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God?"
87. **Moore:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "mōr," meaning "moor" or "swampy land."
88. **Morgan:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "sea warrior."
89. **Morris:** This surname is a variation of "Maurice," a Germanic name meaning "dark-skinned."
90. **Murphy:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "sea warrior."
91. **Nelson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Neil," a Gaelic name meaning "champion."
92. **Newton:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Niwetune," meaning "new dwelling."
93. **Nichols:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Nicholas," a Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
94. **Norman:** This surname is of French origin, meaning "northern man."
95. **Oliver:** This surname is derived from the Latin name "Olivarius," meaning "olive tree."
96. **Owen:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "noble" or "well-born."
97. **Parker:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "parca," meaning "park," suggesting a person who lived near a park or enclosure.
98. **Patterson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Patrick," a Latin name meaning "nobleman."
99. **Payne:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "pēgen," meaning "pagan" or "free man," possibly indicating a person of non-Christian origin.
100. **Perry:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "pere," meaning "pear tree."
101. **Peters:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Peter," a Greek name meaning "rock" or "stone."
102. **Phillips:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Philip," a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
103. **Powell:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Howell."
104. **Price:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Rhys."
105. **Pritchard:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Pryderi."
106. **Quinn:** This surname is of Irish origin, meaning "descendant of Conn."
107. **Reed:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "rīd," meaning "reed," possibly indicating a person who lived near a reed bed.
108. **Reynolds:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Reginald," a Germanic name meaning "advice ruler."
109. **Rice:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Rhys."
110. **Richards:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Richard," a Germanic name meaning "powerful ruler."
111. **Robertson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Robert," a Germanic name meaning "bright fame."
112. **Robinson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Robin," a diminutive of "Robert."
113. **Rogers:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Roger," a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
114. **Ross:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "headland" or "promontory."
115. **Russell:** This surname is of Norman origin, meaning "red."
116. **Ryan:** This surname is of Irish origin, meaning "little king."
117. **Sanders:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Alexander," a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
118. **Scott:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "Scot."
119. **Sears:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "seare," meaning "shearer" or "cutter," possibly reflecting an occupation.
120. **Shaw:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "scēa," meaning "wood," suggesting a person who lived near a woodland.
121. **Shepherd:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a shepherd, a person who tends to sheep.
122. **Simmons:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Simon," a Hebrew name meaning "hearing."
123. **Smith:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a blacksmith, a person who works with metal.
124. **Snider:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "snīþere," meaning "cutter" or "carver."
125. **Snow:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "snāw," meaning "snow."
126. **Spencer:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "spensa," meaning "storehouse" or "pantry."
127. **Stanley:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Stānleah," meaning "stone clearing."
128. **Stevens:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Stephen," a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
129. **Stewart:** This surname is of Scottish origin, meaning "steward."
130. **Stokes:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "stoc," meaning "stock" or "trunk" of a tree, perhaps referring to a place name or a person who lived near a particular type of tree.
131. **Stone:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "stān," meaning "stone."
132. **Taylor:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a tailor, someone who makes or repairs clothing.
133. **Thomas:** This surname is derived from the Aramaic name "T'oma," meaning "twin."
134. **Thompson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Thomas."
135. **Thornton:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Þorn-tūn," meaning "thorn enclosure."
136. **Turner:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a turner, someone who works with wood or metal on a lathe.
137. **Vaughan:** This surname is of Welsh origin, meaning "little."
138. **Vincent:** This surname is derived from the Latin name "Vincencius," meaning "conqueror."
139. **Walker:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a walker, someone who travels on foot.
140. **Wallace:** This surname is of Gaelic origin, meaning "Welshman."
141. **Walter:** This surname is derived from the Germanic name "Walhteri," meaning "ruler of the army."
142. **Ward:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "weard," meaning "guardian" or "keeper."
143. **Warren:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "warēn," meaning "warren" or "rabbit burrow."
144. **Watson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Walter."
145. **Weaver:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a weaver, someone who makes cloth.
146. **Webb:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "webb," meaning "web," possibly referring to a person who was a weaver or a place name.
147. **Welch:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "Wēalas," meaning "foreigner" or "Welshman."
148. **Wells:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "well," signifying a spring or a source of water.
149. **West:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "west," indicating a direction.
150. **White:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "hwīt," meaning "white," reflecting a person's hair color or complexion.
151. **Williams:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of William," a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
152. **Wilson:** This surname is a patronymic meaning "son of Will," a diminutive of "William."
153. **Winchester:** This surname is derived from the Old English place name "Wīnčester," meaning "wine city."
154. **Wood:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "wud," meaning "wood."
155. **Wright:** This surname reflects a person's occupation as a wright, someone who works with wood or metal.
156. **Young:** This surname is derived from the Old English word "geong," meaning "young."
157. **Zimmerman:** This surname is of German origin, meaning "room builder" or "carpenter."