English Last Names

Bingham is the unusual surname name chosen by Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy for their son. It was Bellamy's mother's maiden name, and the nickname Bing, coincidentally, belongs to almost-stepfather Kurt Russell's dad. We haven't heard Bing since crooner Crosby, but it does have a lot of zing.

Burton originated as a habitation surname that now feels like a appropriate first. Actor Richard Burton, two-time husband of Elizabeth Taylor, was the most famous bearer. Burtie makes an adorable short form.

Pembroke's brother.

A pretty alternative to Hadley, but perhaps a little too close to sound distinctive. Hedy would be a cool nickname, after legendary actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.

Byrne is a masculine name of Irish and Gaelic origin, derived from Ó Broin, meaning "descendant of Bran." The name Bran translates to "raven" in Gaelic, giving Byrne associations with this intelligent and mystical bird. Originally a surname common throughout Ireland, particularly in Counties Dublin and Wicklow, Byrne has transitioned to occasional use as a given name. It carries a strong Celtic heritage and projects a sense of ruggedness and tradition. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Byrne appeals to parents seeking a distinctive Irish name with historical depth. Its single-syllable strength and unique sound set it apart from more common Celtic names.

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

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.

Sparks was originally used as a nickname in Medieval England, typically as a pet name for a lively person (or in an ironic sense, for one who was not). It was also likely used as a nickname for blacksmiths and other professionals whose work created literal fiery sparks.

Blunt. Stick to Hunter.

Paterson is a surname-name to continue a line of Peters and also the name of a city in New Jersey, hometown of poets William Carlos Williams and Allen Ginsberg.

Epes is often considered a variation of the surname Epps, which typically refers to the aspen tree, from the Old English word æpse. Some branches of Epes may have derived from the Middle English given name Eppe — Eoppa in Old English — from a root meaning "red". It has also been proposed the Eppe came from the Old Norse Øpi, meaning "cry out" or "shriek".

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.

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.

English surname most notably used by Ashley Hebert for her son in 2014.

Associated with archetypal folksinger Pete Seeger.

An original way to honor an ancestral Robert. Hobson is outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for boys.

Pittsburgh's Mellon family — founders of Mellon Financial Corporation and Carnegie Mellon University, among other things — gives their surname old money panache. They are Irish by heritage, giving their surname the meaning "descendant of Meallán", Meallán being an Irish given name from the word for "pleasant".

As a given name, Wheelock has been passed down to generations of the Whitney family — descendants of Eli Whitney, creator of the cotton gin. The first Wheelock Whitney — known as Wheels — was named after his mother, Alice Wheelock. His son, Wheelock Whitney Jr. went by Whee, and Wheelock Whitney III is called Lock.

fuhgeddaboutit.

Surname style Bankston offers a longer form of the modern favorite Banks, and feels less wordy or literal. It has been quietly gaining more attention since the rise of Banks in 2012, and a recent year saw it given to 25 babies, compared to 15 the year prior. The shorter form was chosen for nearly 900 boys in comparison.