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English Last Names

  1. Durward

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "doorkeeper"

    • Description:

      Literary, occupational, and very neglected.
  2. Jenkins

    • Description:

      Jenkins began as an English and Welsh surname derived from the personal name Jenkin, a medieval diminutive of John meaning 'God is gracious.' As a first name, Jenkins represents the trend of transforming traditional surnames into given names, though it remains quite uncommon in this usage. The name carries connotations of reliability and steadfastness, perhaps influenced by its long-standing presence in professional settings. In popular culture, Jenkins often appears as a stereotypical butler or staff name, giving it a somewhat formal, traditional character. While rare as a first name, it gained some recognition through notable bearers of the surname, including musicians and athletes. The name projects an image of dignified service and traditional values when used as a given name.

  3. Hastings

    • Origin:

      English

    • Description:

      English place name derived from the Anglo-Norman personal name Hasten or Haesta, made famous by the battle of 1066.
  4. Hooker

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "shepherd's hook"

    • Description:

      fuhgeddaboutit.
  5. Farrow

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "smith, iron worker, to shoe horses"

    • Description:

      With Marlowe, Harlowe, Milo, and Arlo in the charts, this occupational surname with its strong -o ending might hold appeal. Derived from ferrum meaning "iron" or "horseshoe", it has a solid yet adventurous feel. Actress Mia Farrow is a notable holder of the surname,
  6. Green

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Description:

      Middle name possibility for a nature-loving family -- Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke used it for their son's middle name.
  7. Lanford

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "narrow way"

    • Description:

      Surname choice that could be used to honor the playwright Lanford Wilson.
  8. Lambert

    • Origin:

      French and German

    • Meaning:

      "land brilliant"

    • Description:

      Ancient saint's name used for cowardly cartoon lion.
  9. Matthews

    • Description:

      Matthews is primarily known as an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the given name Matthew, which comes from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." As a first name, Matthews is uncommon but represents a trend of using traditional surnames as given names. It carries a formal, distinguished quality with its plural form distinguishing it from the more common Matthew. The name has biblical associations through the apostle Matthew and projects reliability and tradition. While not ranked among popular first names in most countries, Matthews has occasional usage, particularly in families looking to honor ancestors with the Matthews surname or seeking a slightly distinctive variation on Matthew.
  10. Calbert

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "calf-herder"

    • Description:

      Putting a C before Albert doesn't make this old occupational name any more contempo.
  11. Stokes

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "person from Stoke"

    • Description:

      Stokes is ultimately an English surname, although it's been used in Ireland and Scotland for generations as well. It's a variation of Stoke, a habitational surname, as there were many towns named Stoke in England. The origin of the word stoke, however, is contested. Some say it simply means "place," while others contest it designated a small hamlet. There's also evidence that connects it to the Old English word stocc, meaning "tree trunk."
  12. Colvin

    • Origin:

      English surname name

    • Description:

      Colvin is an English surname with a distinguished history; the Colvins were one of the leading colonial families of early British India, and Shawn Colvin is a popular American singer. We suspect, however, that most of the 18 parents who used Colvin as a boys' name in 2016 were thinking of it as a less popular alternative to other "Col-" names, like Colin and Colton.
  13. Swayze

    • Origin:

      English from German

    • Meaning:

      "Swiss"

    • Description:

      Swayze is an Anglicization of the German surname Schweiz or Schweizer, referring to a Swiss person. It's most commonly associated with late actor Patrick Swayze, of Dirty Dancing fame. Interestingly, it's overwhelmingly feminine, with over 83% of babies born with the name girls.
  14. Carey

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark, black"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      English Surname

    • Meaning:

      "newly come"

    • Description:

      Julia Styles used Newcomb as the middle name for her son Strummer.
  16. Bettany

    • Origin:

      English surname and herb name

    • Description:

      A jaunty English surname which may derive from "betony", the name of a pretty purple-flowering shrub. A famous bearer is British historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes.
  17. Butler

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Description:

      We don't see that bright a future for this one either.
  18. Jenner

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "engineer"

    • Description:

      Surname known as the last name of the other side of the Kardashian clan.
  19. Charlton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Charles' town"

    • Description:

      A surname name, most popularly associated with actor Heston, has a blue-blooded ring to it. Charlton is also a more unusual pathway to evergreen nickname Charlie.
  20. Raines

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from Rayne or Rennes"

    • Description:

      The final s turns a nature name into a Waspy surname.