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English Last Names

  1. Sanders

    • Origin:

      Scottish diminutive of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Sanders is one of the S-ending surnames gaining traction as a first name for boys in the US. It jumped nearly 2000 points in popularity this year.
  2. Rooney

    • Origin:

      English or Gaelic surname

    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the champion"

    • Description:

      Rooney is one of many bouncy Irish surnames that could make an agreeable first, once tied to Mickey Rooney (who was actually born Joseph Yule) in his young and spunky Andy Hardy period.
  3. Tallis

    • Origin:

      English, Old French

    • Meaning:

      "clearing of woodland"

    • Description:

      An English surname derived from the Old French taillis, this nature inspired choice could be an alternative to Wallis or Travis. Tallis appears as the surname of the central characters in Ian McEwan's book, Atonement and the subsequent film.
  4. Ashby

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree farm"

    • Description:

      Ashley substitute with a slightly more unisex feel; it was picked for her daughter by TV host Nancy O'Dell.
  5. Pendleton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "overhanging settlement"

    • Description:

      Pembroke's brother.
  6. Bond

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "peasant farmer"

    • Description:

      For 007 fans, a great middle name choice -- or even a first.
  7. Mosley

    • Origin:

      English place name and surname

    • Meaning:

      "peat bog, mouse clearing"

    • Description:

      Mosley has seen a handful of uses — mostly among baby girls — since 2012, the year after Peyton Manning gave it to his daughter. It's much more familiar as a surname, such as that of novelist Walter Mosley.
  8. Warne

    • Origin:

      German, English

    • Meaning:

      "one who watches over, defends and protects; one who cautions; army; park-keeper; alder-tree"

    • Description:

      Robust and strong in sound and more often used as a surname, Warne has a variety of meanings depending on what root you follow.
  9. Caldwell

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cold stream"

    • Description:

      English place name turned handsome surname name.
  10. Dixon

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Dick"

    • Description:

      A relatively common surname, Dixon would be an inventive way to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick, the X form a lot livelier than the Dickson spelling, just as Dix is a more modern short form than Dick; it would be right at home alongside Dax and Jax.
  11. Garrison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Garret"

    • Description:

      As Harrison is to Harry, Garrison is to Gary: both of the longer versions sound more modern and appealing. NPR's Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor was born Gary.
  12. Adams

    • Description:

      Adams originated as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam,' derived from the Hebrew name Adam ('man' or 'earth'). As a given name, Adams represents a modern trend of using surnames as first names, projecting strength and tradition. While primarily masculine, it sometimes appears as a middle name for both genders. In the United States, Adams carries historical significance through founding father John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, both presidents. The name has never been highly common as a first name but has steady, modest usage. It appeals to parents seeking a distinguished, intellectual-sounding name with historical resonance. Adams possesses a dignified, refined quality while maintaining simplicity and clear pronunciation.

  13. Weaver

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Description:

      Weaver, which made an appearance as a first name on the U.S. Top 1000 in the late 19th century and then vanished, may rise again along with its occupational brethren, from already-popular choices such as Cooper and Parker to au courant ones like Archer to occupational hotties of the future, including Booker and Sayer.
  14. Orwell

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "the branch of the river"

    • Description:

      Most closely associated with famed English novelist George Orwell (whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair), this English surname is now occasionally sported as a literary first name. Given its meaning, Orwell could also be used by those looking for a more subtle alternative to River.
  15. Stark

    • Origin:

      Word name, surname, and literary name

    • Description:

      Stark is an ancient surname derived from the Old English word stearc, meaning firm and unyielding. In modern parlance, stark means severe or plain. But Stark's use as a first name -- 15 boys were named Stark in the US in 2017 -- stems from its prominence in Game of Thrones, which has inspired so many new baby names. House Stark is a ruling family on GoT; its motto is fittingly "Winter is coming," so Stark and other names from the show might make creative names for winter babies.
  16. Prentice

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "apprentice"

    • Description:

      Long-used surname name that's up for promotion to greater popularity.
  17. Johnson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of John"

    • Description:

      No competition for Jackson.
  18. Hyde

    • Origin:

      Medieval measure of land, or English surname

    • Meaning:

      "hide"

    • Description:

      Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.
  19. Falconer

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "falcon trainer"

    • Description:

      Falconer is one choice that has morphed rapidly from outlandish to possible, even attractive, thanks to the fashion for occupational names. And really, if Archer is getting popular and Miller seems normal, why not Falconer?
  20. Dover

    • Origin:

      British place-name

    • Description:

      Two-syllable place-names are stylish, and this one is attached to a British city noted for its white chalk cliffs, but there are a couple of minuses: associated with the fish, Dover sole, and also rhymes with the doggy Rover.