English Last Names

An English surname derived from the French place name Beauvais, which in turn comes from the name of an ancient Gaulish tribe, the Bellovaci.

Briggs, Riggs, Hayes, and Collins are all in style, and Higgins feels like it could fit into this category of cool, rugged last names. Derived from an Irish surname, it is the anglicized form of O Huginn, meaning "descendant of Vikings". As an English surname however, it possibly comes the given name Hugh, or from the nickname Hicke (a diminutive of Richard). In this case it could more figuratively mean "son of mind and spirit" or "son of the brave ruler".

Forever the upstairs neighbor on The Honeymooners.

Driver seems prime for adoption as a first name, with the rise of occupational names ranging from Archer to Ranger to Sawyer.

Glover is a masculine name that originated as an English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold gloves. This heritage connects it to the tradition of surname-to-first-name transitions that became popular during the 20th century. While relatively uncommon as a first name, Glover carries a distinguished, professional quality with historical depth. Its most notable bearer is likely actor Danny Glover, which has helped maintain recognition of the name. As a first name, Glover peaked in limited usage during the mid-20th century in the United States but remains rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's crisp sound and straightforward pronunciation combine with its occupational roots to create a name with understated strength.

At one time, the surname Poole denoted someone who lived near a pool. Not in the chlorinated sense — pool was another word for pond.

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

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

Possible alternative to Anderson.

Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.

Mailer is one of the more unusual of the on-trend occupational surnames. Recommended for fans of the macho writer Norman Mailer.

Might be an honorific for novelist Saul Bellow, although bellowing is not the gentlest of sounds. Consider Saul instead.

Likable English surname that is occasionally heard as a first name.

Has diverse links to a Groucho Marx character, a bouncing ball, and late performance artist Spalding Gray.

A surname inspired choice, Rudell may be an English last name, derived from the town of Ryedale, or from the given name Rudolf. A high-end jewellery and watch brand in the UK, it was also borne by professional boxer Rudell Snitch.

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

Rarely heard surname name that lacks the lightness of other o-ending names.

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".

Simmons is one of the S-ending popular American last names that are starting to be used as firsts.

Pell makes an unusual middle name choice. And if grandpa Seymour was a fur trader, you might do better to honor him by naming the baby Pell.