English Last Names

Hunter is gaining favor among girls—for those in search of something less common, we recommend Hutton.

Updates Lindsey for the 21st century.

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

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.

Stevens edges out Stephens for the more popular form of this surname in the US and the UK.

One of many common surnames that was derived from Peter, along with Peterson, Parks, Parkinson, and Perkins.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

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

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.

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

A small number of girls are given this Irish surname as a first name each year.

An English surname derived from the Old French taillis, this nature inspired choice could be an alternative to Wallis, Alice, Tallie, or Ellis. Other sources suggest it could derive from the Greek name Thales (TA-LEHS) meaning "to blossom".

Ellington's popularity may be inspired by jazz great Duke, but the name is used slightly more often for girls today, perhaps because of its trendy El- beginning. Like a host of other El- names, from the familiar Ella to Eleanor to the more niche Elodie and Elula, Ellington carries the popular Ellie nickname.

Variously spelled trendy name in the 1970s that hasn't even been in the Top 1000 in a decade.

Luckey can be considered an alternative spelling for the felicitous word name Lucky, or as an English surname derived from Lukey, a diminutive of Lucas or Luke. This option was chosen by (disgraced) former Congressman Matt Gaetz and his wife Ginger in 2025, to honor her maiden name.