Victorian Last Names: A Guide to Common Surnames from the 19th Century

Are you researching your Victorian ancestry or simply curious about the common last names of this fascinating era? The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a time of significant social and cultural change, and its impact on naming conventions is evident in the surnames that have endured to this day. This list explores the origins and meanings of some of the most popular Victorian last names, providing a glimpse into the lives and heritage of those who lived during this pivotal period in history.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew, a name of Greek origin meaning "manly" or "strong."
2. **Baker:** One who makes bread or cakes.
3. **Barnett:** Son of Bernard, a name of Germanic origin meaning "brave bear."
4. **Bell:** One who rings a bell.
5. **Bennett:** Son of Benedict, a name of Latin origin meaning "blessed."
6. **Blackburn:** One who lives in a place where blackberries grow.
7. **Blake:** One who is dark or pale.
8. **Brown:** One who has brown hair or skin.
9. **Butler:** One who serves as a steward or manager.
10. **Campbell:** Curved mouth, referring to a place near a bend in a river.
11. **Carter:** One who transports goods by cart.
12. **Clark:** One who works as a scribe or secretary.
13. **Clarke:** Variant of Clark.
14. **Cole:** One who lives near a coal mine or in a place with charcoal.
15. **Cooper:** One who makes barrels or casks.
16. **Davies:** Son of David, a Hebrew name meaning "beloved."
17. **Davis:** Variant of Davies.
18. **Dawson:** Son of David.
19. **Day:** One who works during the day.
20. **Dean:** One who is a head of a chapter in a cathedral.
21. **Edwards:** Son of Edward, an English name meaning "wealthy guardian."
22. **Evans:** Son of Evan, a Welsh form of John meaning "God is gracious."
23. **Fisher:** One who catches fish.
24. **Foster:** One who cares for children or orphans.
25. **Fox:** One who lives in a place inhabited by foxes.
26. **Gardner:** One who works as a gardener.
27. **Garrett:** Variant of Gerard, a Germanic name meaning "spear warrior."
28. **George:** Farmer or land worker.
29. **Gibson:** Son of Gilbert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "pledge" or "bright."
30. **Gill:** One who lives by a stream or creek.
31. **Green:** One who lives in a place with green vegetation.
32. **Hall:** One who lives in a large house or hall.
33. **Harris:** Son of Harry, an English name meaning "home ruler."
34. **Harrison:** Son of Harry.
35. **Harvey:** One who lives by a stony place.
36. **Hawkins:** Son of Hawk, a bird of prey.
37. **Hayes:** One who lives in a place with hedges.
38. **Henderson:** Son of Henry, a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the home."
39. **Hill:** One who lives on a hill.
40. **Hodgson:** Son of Hodge, a nickname for Roger.
41. **Holmes:** One who lives in a hollow.
42. **Hughes:** Son of Hugh, a French name meaning "mind" or "spirit."
43. **Hunter:** One who hunts animals.
44. **Jackson:** Son of Jack, a diminutive of John.
45. **James:** Supplanter.
46. **Jenkins:** Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of John.
47. **Johnson:** Son of John, a Hebrew name meaning "God is gracious."
48. **Jones:** Son of John.
49. **Jordan:** Descendant of the tribe of Judah.
50. **Kelly:** A bright one.
51. **Kennedy:** Descendant of the tribe of Judah.
52. **King:** One who is a ruler.
53. **Knight:** One who is a mounted warrior.
54. **Lewis:** Famous warrior, derived from a German word meaning "famous warrior."
55. **Lloyd:** One who lives near a gray area.
56. **Long:** One who is tall or long.
57. **Lyons:** Lion.
58. **Martin:** One who belongs to Mars, the Roman god of war.
59. **Mason:** One who works with stone.
60. **Matthews:** Son of Matthew, a Hebrew name meaning "gift of God."
61. **May:** One who lives near a place where hawthorn trees grow.
62. **McCarthy:** Son of the great chief.
63. **McDonald:** Son of Donald, a Gaelic name meaning "world ruler."
64. **McGregor:** Son of Gregor, a Greek name meaning "watchful."
65. **Miller:** One who works as a miller.
66. **Mitchell:** Son of Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God."
67. **Morgan:** Sea defender, a Welsh name meaning "sea defender."
68. **Morris:** Dark-skinned one, a Welsh name meaning "dark-skinned one."
69. **Murphy:** Sea warrior, a Gaelic name meaning "sea warrior."
70. **Nelson:** Son of Neil, a Gaelic name meaning "champion."
71. **Newton:** One who lives near a new town.
72. **Nicholson:** Son of Nicholas, a Greek name meaning "victory of the people."
73. **Oliver:** Olive tree.
74. **Owen:** Noble, a Welsh name meaning "noble."
75. **Parker:** One who works as a park keeper.
76. **Patterson:** Son of Patrick, a Latin name meaning "nobleman."
77. **Payne:** One who is a bread maker or baker.
78. **Phillips:** Son of Philip, a Greek name meaning "lover of horses."
79. **Powell:** One who lives near a pool.
80. **Price:** One who is a priest.
81. **Reed:** One who lives near reeds.
82. **Richards:** Son of Richard, a Germanic name meaning "strong ruler."
83. **Richardson:** Son of Richard.
84. **Roberts:** Son of Robert, a Germanic name meaning "bright fame."
85. **Robinson:** Son of Robin, a diminutive of Robert.
86. **Rogers:** Son of Roger, a Germanic name meaning "famous spear."
87. **Ross:** A place with moors.
88. **Russell:** One who lives in a red area.
89. **Ryan:** Little king, a Gaelic name meaning "little king."
90. **Sanders:** Son of Alexander, a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind."
91. **Scott:** One who lives in a place with Scots pine trees.
92. **Shaw:** One who lives in a place with meadows.
93. **Shepherd:** One who cares for sheep.
94. **Simpson:** Son of Simon, a Hebrew name meaning "listener."
95. **Smith:** One who works as a blacksmith.
96. **Smyth:** Variant of Smith.
97. **Snow:** One who lives in a place where snow falls.
98. **Spencer:** One who dispenses food or drink.
99. **Stevens:** Son of Stephen, a Greek name meaning "crown" or "wreath."
100. **Stewart:** One who is a steward or manager.
101. **Taylor:** One who works as a tailor.
102. **Thomas:** Twin.
103. **Thompson:** Son of Thomas.
104. **Turner:** One who works as a turner or woodworker.
105. **Vaughan:** Small valley, a Welsh name meaning "small valley."
106. **Walker:** One who walks.
107. **Ward:** One who guards a place.
108. **Watkins:** Son of Wat, a diminutive of Walter.
109. **Watson:** Son of Walter, a Germanic name meaning "ruler of the army."
110. **Watts:** One who lives by a ford.
111. **Webb:** One who weaves cloth.
112. **Webster:** One who weaves cloth.
113. **Wells:** One who lives near a spring.
114. **West:** One who lives in the west.
115. **White:** One who has white hair or skin.
116. **Williams:** Son of William, a Germanic name meaning "resolute protector."
117. **Wilson:** Son of Will, a diminutive of William.
118. **Wright:** One who works as a craftsman.
119. **Young:** One who is young.
120. **Zimmerman:** One who works as a carpenter.