English Last Names

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.

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

An old English surname denoting either a servant of one of the Knights Templar, or a person living near or serving at a church.

Larimer is an occupational surname that originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other equine hardware. It could be a fitting choice for a child of a horse-enthusiast.

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.

Common surname in the US and UK. Stephens is notably the legal last name of John Legend.

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.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

An unconventional route to the nickname Penny. Pennington debuted on the charts for girls in 2015.

Brayton is a masculine name with English origins, derived from an Old English place name and surname meaning 'broad town' or 'wide settlement.' It follows the popular pattern of location-based surnames transitioning to first names, similar to Preston or Clayton. Brayton has a strong, distinguished sound with its crisp consonants and modern appeal. While not among the most common first names, it has seen steady usage in the United States, particularly since the late 20th century. Parents are often drawn to Brayton for its contemporary sound combined with traditional roots. The name also benefits from familiar nicknames like Bray, giving it versatility across different stages of life. Brayton projects strength and refinement with its two-syllable structure.

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

Belles may look like a playful nickname to any of the stylish belle related names — and it could easily be used as such — however, it is also an occupational English surname, originally given to bell ringers, a Scottish surname meaning "handsome" or a French or Spanish word name meaning "beauties". It is currently rarely used as a given name.

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

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.

This common English surname is rarely used as a first. The S ending makes it a preppy way to update Andrew.

A distinguished English occupational surname referring to a senior official who managed the household of a noble or monarch. The best known historical bearer is British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who was in office at the start of the Second World War.

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

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.

Upper-crusty surname name.

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.