English Last Names
- Weber
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"weaver"
- Simpson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Simon"Description:
Try Simon. Or Homer.
- Beaman
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"beekeeper"Description:
This occupational choice is less appealing than such brethren as Baker and Baxter.
- Andrews
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Andrew"Description:
This common English surname is rarely used as a first. The S ending makes it a preppy way to update Andrew.
- Holliday
Description:
Holliday is a feminine given name derived from the English surname meaning 'one who dwells near a holy day.' Originally a surname used to identify someone who was born during a religious festival or holiday, it has transitioned into occasional use as a first name. The spelling with two 'l's adds a distinctive touch compared to the standard 'Holiday' form. This name carries a naturally festive, joyful association and conveys a sense of celebration. Though relatively uncommon as a first name, it gained some recognition through connections to the historical figure Doc Holliday. It appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with positive, uplifting connotations.
- Peabody
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"having the body of a gnat"Description:
Peabody is a quintessentially Waspy surname that your child won't thank you for -- either the pea part or the body part, or the meaning part.
- Abbott
Origin:
English, Aramaic, HebrewMeaning:
"priest, father"Description:
A traditionally masculine surname, denoting the head of a monastery, a priest, or someone who worked for a church official, Abbott may appeal as a fresh spin on Biblical Abigail. Quietly used for boys, it has seen very occasional use for girls since the 2000s.
- Barton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the barley settlement"Description:
More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.
- Cutler
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"knife maker"Description:
Cooper would be a more engaging C-starting occupational choice.
- Holder
Origin:
Word name, surname nameMeaning:
"person who holds something"Description:
Holder, part occupational name and part Holden, is a rare word name. It brings to mind holding onto someone or something, which itself suggests a love for or connection to whatever is being held on to.
- Ludlow
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ruler's hill"Description:
Rarely heard surname name that lacks the lightness of other o-ending names.
- Austen
Origin:
Literary surname and shortened form of Augustine, LatinMeaning:
"great, magnificent"Description:
While Austin is a popular boys' name, this spelling, honoring novelist Jane, nudges the name toward gender-neutral, chosen last year for 67 baby boys and 57 girls.
- 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.
- Lanford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"narrow way"Description:
Surname choice that could be used to honor the playwright Lanford Wilson.
- Cook
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"cook"Description:
A self-explanatory occupational name. With Baker hotter than ever, Cook could be a distinct possibility. A famous bearer is gallerist Cooke Maroney, husband of Jennifer Lawrence.
- Sender
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"defender of men"Description:
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.
- Yardley
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"wood clearing"Description:
Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly.
- Edley
Origin:
English SurnameDescription:
English surname used as one of the middles for Boris Becker's son Amadeus.
- Hindley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"deer meadow; doe in the clearing"Description:
Slightly rugged and windswept, Hindley notably appears in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, borne by the elder son of the Earnshaw family. The name of two English towns, it combines the Old English elements leah and hind meaning "meadow, clearing" and "female deer" respectively.
- Paget
Description:
Paget is a feminine name originating as an English surname derived from Old French, meaning 'young servant' or 'page.' It gained limited use as a given name for girls in the 20th century, drawing associations with elegance and British aristocracy. The name carries a sophisticated quality and projects confidence and distinction. Paget remains quite rare as a first name, appealing to parents seeking something uncommon with historical resonance. Its crisp, clear pronunciation and brief, two-syllable structure give it a modern sensibility despite its traditional origins. In contemporary usage, the name balances uniqueness with accessibility, offering a distinctive option that doesn't feel invented or overly unfamiliar.
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