Last Names Medieval: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Medieval Surnames

This page explores the fascinating world of medieval last names. These surnames, often reflecting a person's occupation, lineage, or physical characteristic, provide a window into the lives and social structures of medieval times. We will delve into the origins and meanings of popular medieval last names, offering a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of this historical era.
1. **Abernathy:** From the Gaelic "Abhainn a' Bhatha," meaning "river of the ford."
2. **Adams:** Son of Adam, a common patronymic.
3. **Ainsworth:** From the Old English "Aethel," meaning "noble," and "worth," meaning "enclosure or homestead."
4. **Albright:** From the Old English "Aethel," meaning "noble," and "bryht," meaning "bright."
5. **Aldridge:** From the Old English "ald," meaning "old," and "hrycg," meaning "ridge."
6. **Alexander:** Greek origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
7. **Allen:** From the Old English "eall," meaning "all," and "an," meaning "one."
8. **Anderson:** Son of Andrew, a common patronymic.
9. **Andrews:** Son of Andrew, a common patronymic.
10. **Arnold:** From the Old German "arn," meaning "eagle," and "wald," meaning "rule."
11. **Ashworth:** From the Old English "aesce," meaning "ash tree," and "worth," meaning "enclosure or homestead."
12. **Atkinson:** Son of Atkin, a common patronymic, likely derived from a diminutive form of "Atticus."
13. **Austin:** From the Latin "Augustinus," meaning "venerable."
14. **Baker:** A person who bakes bread.
15. **Baldwin:** From the Old German "bald," meaning "bold," and "win," meaning "friend."
16. **Barclay:** From the Old English "beorc," meaning "birch tree," and "leah," meaning "clearing."
17. **Barker:** A person who makes or sells bark.
18. **Barnes:** From the Old English "beorn," meaning "man," and "earn," meaning "eagle."
19. **Barrett:** From the Old French "bar," meaning "gate," and "et," meaning "and."
20. **Bates:** From the Old English "bat," meaning "battle," and "es," meaning "son of."
21. **Baxter:** A person who bakes bread.
22. **Beaumont:** From the Old French "beau," meaning "beautiful," and "mont," meaning "mountain."
23. **Beckett:** From the Old English "bece," meaning "beech tree," and "cot," meaning "small cottage."
24. **Bell:** A person who makes or sells bells.
25. **Bennett:** From the Old German "beni," meaning "bear," and "heid," meaning "heath."
26. **Bentley:** From the Old English "bent," meaning "bent grass," and "leah," meaning "clearing."
27. **Bernard:** From the Old German "beorn," meaning "man," and "hard," meaning "strong."
28. **Blackburn:** From the Old English "blaec," meaning "black," and "burn," meaning "stream."
29. **Blake:** From the Old English "blaec," meaning "black."
30. **Bloom:** From the Old English "blomma," meaning "flower."
31. **Bolton:** From the Old English "bol," meaning "ball," and "tun," meaning "enclosure."
32. **Bond:** A person who is bound or obligated to another.
33. **Booth:** From the Old English "buth," meaning "booth or stall."
34. **Bowman:** A person who shoots arrows with a bow.
35. **Bradley:** From the Old English "brad," meaning "broad," and "leah," meaning "clearing."
36. **Bradshaw:** From the Old English "brad," meaning "broad," and "scaga," meaning "wood."
37. **Brown:** A person with brown hair or complexion.
38. **Bruce:** From the Old French "bruise," meaning "bramble bush."
39. **Bryant:** From the Old French "briant," meaning "shining."
40. **Buckingham:** From the Old English "buc," meaning "buck," and "ing," meaning "people of."