African American Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

African American last names, often called "surnames," are a fascinating reflection of the rich history and diverse cultural heritage of the African diaspora. These surnames, often adopted during the transatlantic slave trade and later through assimilation, carry with them stories of resilience, identity, and a deep connection to ancestry. This guide provides a comprehensive list of common African American last names along with their origins and meanings, offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of this cultural identity.
1. **Anderson:** Meaning "son of Andrew," a name of Greek origin meaning "manly" or "strong."

2. **Baker:** A common occupational surname for someone who bakes bread or pastries.

3. **Bell:** A name of French origin, derived from the word "belle," meaning "beautiful" or "handsome."

4. **Bennett:** Meaning "blessed" or "good," a name of Hebrew origin.

5. **Black:** A surname that refers to a person with dark skin or hair.

6. **Brown:** A name derived from the color brown, often referring to someone with brown hair or skin.

7. **Butler:** An occupational surname for a servant or attendant.

8. **Campbell:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "crooked field" or "bent mouth."

9. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who transports goods by cart.

10. **Clark:** An occupational surname for a scribe or clerk.

11. **Coleman:** Meaning "dove," a name of Latin origin.

12. **Collins:** Meaning "descendant of Colin," a name of French origin.

13. **Cook:** An occupational surname for someone who cooks food.

14. **Davis:** Meaning "son of David," a name of Hebrew origin.

15. **Edwards:** Meaning "son of Edward," a name of Old English origin.

16. **Evans:** Meaning "son of Evan," a Welsh name meaning "young warrior."

17. **Fisher:** An occupational surname for someone who catches fish.

18. **Foster:** An occupational surname for someone who cares for children or the elderly.

19. **Franklin:** A surname of Old English origin, meaning "free man" or "landowner."

20. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "bear."

21. **Gibson:** Meaning "son of Gilbert," a name of German origin.

22. **Gilbert:** A name of Germanic origin, meaning "bright pledge."

23. **Gordon:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "wide valley."

24. **Gray:** A surname referring to a person with gray hair or a gray complexion.

25. **Green:** A name derived from the color green, often referring to someone with green eyes or a green complexion.

26. **Hall:** A name of Old English origin, meaning "dweller by the hall."

27. **Harris:** Meaning "son of Harry," a name of German origin.

28. **Harrison:** Meaning "son of Henry," a name of German origin.

29. **Harvey:** A name of Norman French origin, meaning "battle" or "war."

30. **Hawkins:** Meaning "son of Hawkin," a name of Old English origin.

31. **Hayes:** A name of Old English origin, meaning "hedged enclosure."

32. **Henderson:** Meaning "son of Henry," a name of German origin.

33. **Henry:** A name of German origin, meaning "ruler of the house."

34. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."

35. **Hill:** A name of Old English origin, meaning "dweller by the hill."

36. **Jackson:** Meaning "son of Jack," a nickname for John.

37. **James:** A name of Hebrew origin, meaning "supplanter" or "he who takes the place of another."

38. **Jenkins:** Meaning "son of Jenkin," a name of Welsh origin.

39. **Johnson:** Meaning "son of John," a name of Hebrew origin.

40. **Jones:** Meaning "son of John," a name of Hebrew origin.

41. **Jordan:** A name of Hebrew origin, meaning "to flow down."

42. **Kelly:** A name of Irish origin, meaning "bright" or "handsome."

43. **Kennedy:** A name of Irish origin, meaning "head of the tribe."

44. **King:** A title of nobility, referring to a male monarch.

45. **Lewis:** A name of French origin, meaning "renowned warrior."

46. **Lee:** A name of English origin, meaning "meadow."

47. **Lincoln:** A place name of English origin, referring to a town in Lincolnshire.

48. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf."

49. **Lucas:** A name of Latin origin, meaning "light" or "bringer of light."

50. **Lyons:** A name of Irish origin, meaning "little lion."

51. **Martin:** A name of Latin origin, meaning "warlike."

52. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."

53. **Mason:** An occupational surname for someone who builds with stone.

54. **Matthews:** Meaning "son of Matthew," a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God."

55. **Maxwell:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "great stream."

56. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who grinds grain.

57. **Mitchell:** Meaning "son of Michael," a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?"

58. **Moore:** A name of English origin, meaning "moor" or "marshland."

59. **Morgan:** A name of Welsh origin, meaning "sea defender."

60. **Morris:** A name of Welsh origin, meaning "sea defender."

61. **Murphy:** A name of Irish origin, meaning "sea warrior."

62. **Nelson:** Meaning "son of Neil," a name of Irish origin.

63. **Nichols:** Meaning "son of Nicholas," a name of Greek origin meaning "victory of the people."

64. **Owen:** A Welsh name meaning "well-born."

65. **Parker:** An occupational surname for someone who keeps a park or enclosure.

66. **Patterson:** Meaning "son of Patrick," a name of Latin origin meaning "nobleman."

67. **Payne:** A name of Old French origin, meaning "bread."

68. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "peregrine falcon."

69. **Phillips:** Meaning "son of Philip," a name of Greek origin meaning "lover of horses."

70. **Pierce:** A name of French origin, meaning "pierced."

71. **Porter:** An occupational surname for someone who carries goods.

72. **Powell:** A name of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Howell."

73. **Price:** A name of Welsh origin, meaning "priest."

74. **Reed:** A name of English origin, meaning "reed."

75. **Richardson:** Meaning "son of Richard," a name of German origin.

76. **Roberts:** Meaning "son of Robert," a name of German origin.

77. **Robinson:** Meaning "son of Robin," a nickname for Robert.

78. **Rodgers:** Meaning "son of Roger," a name of German origin.

79. **Rogers:** Meaning "son of Roger," a name of German origin.

80. **Ross:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "headland."

81. **Russell:** A name of French origin, meaning "red" or "ruddy."

82. **Sanders:** Meaning "son of Alexander," a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of men."

83. **Scott:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "from Scotland."

84. **Shaw:** A name of English origin, meaning "wooded meadow."

85. **Shepherd:** An occupational surname for someone who tends sheep.

86. **Simmons:** Meaning "son of Simon," a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he who listens."

87. **Smith:** An occupational surname for someone who works with metal.

88. **Stewart:** A name of Scottish origin, meaning "steward."

89. **Stokes:** A name of English origin, meaning "dweller at the place of the stocks."

90. **Stone:** A name of English origin, meaning "dweller by the stone."

91. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who cuts cloth.

92. **Thomas:** A name of Aramaic origin, meaning "twin."

93. **Thompson:** Meaning "son of Thomas," a name of Aramaic origin meaning "twin."

94. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who turns wood or metal.

95. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who walks or travels on foot.

96. **Ward:** A name of Old English origin, meaning "guardian" or "protector."

97. **Washington:** A place name of English origin, referring to a town in England.

98. **Watson:** Meaning "son of Walter," a name of German origin.

99. **Weaver:** An occupational surname for someone who weaves cloth.

100. **Williams:** Meaning "son of William," a name of German origin meaning "resolute protector."

101. **Wilson:** Meaning "son of Will," a nickname for William.

102. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who makes things.

103. **Young:** A surname referring to someone who is young or youthful.