English Last Names

Groves has yet to secure a place on the baby name charts, but we could see that changing very soon. Groves combines surname style with a nature meaning and a hotter-than-hot S ending. It's a recipe for success — just ask Banks, Brooks, and Wells.

Larimer is an occupational surname that originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other equine hardware. It could be a fitting choice for a child of a horse-enthusiast.

Common surname in the US and UK. Stephens is notably the legal last name of John Legend.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

An old English surname denoting either a servant of one of the Knights Templar, or a person living near or serving at a church.

This common English surname is rarely used as a first. The S ending makes it a preppy way to update Andrew.

A last name as a first name, Redell began to appear in England after the Norman invasion. Likely connected to the names Raymond and Radulf, it could mean "counsel, advice, decision". Another possible interpretation is that it merges the word red with the word dell to form the meaning "red valley". This could also mean it borrows from land feature in the Lake District of England, known as Red Dell.

You occasionally see the German and Danish word for "summer" pop up as a first name -- 16 girls were given it in 2016 -- and that trend may continue, now that the original has risen to Number 202 on the American popularity list.

As surname names for girls become more popular, we could see Catesby catching on among style-conscious parents. Bonus: it easily shortens to the girlish nickname Cate.

This English surname was originally a nickname for someone with a pock-marked face. It's a less-than-ideal meaning, but Greeley's upbeat sound and modern unisex style keep it on our lists.

Brings to mind the romantic and elegant eighteenth century portraits of George Romney.

Friendly-sounding name with big "Sweeney Todd" downside.

Medieval nickname for Mary that became a surname, and could now be a rare but in-trend first name for both sexes.

Skeat is a rare surname name that, like virtually every surname these days, is ripe for importation as a first.

Updates Lindsey for the 21st century.