Changing Your Last Name: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your last name is a significant decision with various personal and legal implications. Whether you're getting married, going through a divorce, or simply wish to adopt a new identity, understanding the process and requirements is crucial. This guide outlines the steps involved in changing your last name, including legal procedures, documentation, and potential consequences.
1. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew; from the Scottish word "anndra" meaning "manly" and "son"
2. **Abernathy:** From the Scottish word "abernathy" meaning "mouth of the river"
3. **Adams:** Son of Adam; from the Hebrew word "adam" meaning "man"
4. **Allen:** Handsome; from the Old English word "alen" meaning "handsome" or "noble"
5. **Allison:** Son of "Alis" which is an anglicized form of the Greek name "Alice" meaning "noble"
6. **Andrews:** Son of Andrew; from the Scottish word "anndra" meaning "manly" and "son"
7. **Armstrong:** Strong man; from the Old English words "arm" meaning "arm" and "streng" meaning "strength"
8. **Arnold:** Strong ruler; from the German words "arn" meaning "eagle" and "wald" meaning "rule"
9. **Asher:** Happy; from the Hebrew word "asher" meaning "happy"
10. **Atkinson:** Son of Atkin; from the Old English word "atkin" meaning "son of Atticus" which is a diminutive of "Atticus" meaning "he who comes from Attica"
11. **Austin:** Magnificent; from the Latin word "augustus" meaning "magnificent"
12. **Bailey:** Bailiff; from the Old French word "bailli" meaning "bailiff"
13. **Baker:** One who bakes; from the Old English word "baker" meaning "one who bakes"
14. **Baldwin:** Brave friend; from the Old German words "bald" meaning "brave" and "win" meaning "friend"
15. **Ballard:** Brave; from the Old French word "ballard" meaning "brave"
16. **Banks:** One who lives by the bank; from the Old English word "banc" meaning "bank"
17. **Barber:** One who shaves; from the Old French word "barbier" meaning "one who shaves"
18. **Barker:** One who barks; from the Old English word "barker" meaning "one who barks"
19. **Barnes:** Son of Barnaby; from the Aramaic word "bar nabai" meaning "son of the prophet"
20. **Barr:** From the Gaelic word "barr" meaning "top" or "summit"
21. **Barrett:** Brave; from the Old French word "barret" meaning "brave"
22. **Barton:** From the Old English word "bar tun" meaning "barley farm"
23. **Bates:** One who bates; from the Old English word "bate" meaning "to abate" or "to reduce"
24. **Bauer:** Farmer; from the German word "bauer" meaning "farmer"
25. **Bell:** One who rings the bell; from the Old English word "belle" meaning "bell"
26. **Bennett:** Blessed; from the Old English word "benet" meaning "blessed"
27. **Benson:** Son of Ben; from the Hebrew word "ben" meaning "son"
28. **Bentley:** From the Old English word "bentley" meaning "meadow by the bend"
29. **Bernard:** Brave bear; from the German words "bern" meaning "bear" and "hard" meaning "brave"
30. **Berry:** From the Old English word "berie" meaning "berry"
31. **Best:** Best; from the Old English word "best" meaning "best"
32. **Bishop:** Overseer; from the Old English word "biscop" meaning "overseer"
33. **Black:** Dark; from the Old English word "blac" meaning "dark"
34. **Blair:** Plain; from the Gaelic word "blair" meaning "plain"
35. **Blake:** Dark; from the Old English word "blac" meaning "dark"
36. **Bloom:** Flower; from the Old English word "blōma" meaning "flower"
37. **Blossom:** Flower; from the Old English word "blōma" meaning "flower"
38. **Blue:** Blue; from the Old English word "blāw" meaning "blue"
39. **Boone:** From the Old French word "bonne" meaning "good"
40. **Bowen:** Son of Owen; from the Welsh word "owen" meaning "noble"