English Last Names

An appealing alternative to Hayden and Hayes, perhaps in homage to Old Hollywood actress Rita Hayward.

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.

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.

Upper-crusty surname name.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

Hatchell is an attractive English surname that feels ripe for discovery — assuming you're looking for a rare and preppy surname. There are many theories on the origins of Hatchell. It may derive from a given name such as Hacche, Haeccel, or Hake, or be a habitational surname related to a number of "lost" English places. Another theory suggests that Hatchell is derived from the Old English word haecel, meaning "hooded cloak" as well as "flax comb." This theory connects Hatchell to the West Germanic word for "hook."

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.

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.

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

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.

A surname-style choice, Tench is derived from the Old French word tenche, which is the name for a type of freshwater carp. It likely originated as nickname, perhaps for someone who was a keen angler or who made their living catching tench. Rarely used as a given name, perhaps because of the possible rhymes, it could make an unusual middle name option to honor someone who enjoys fishing or who's into naval and military history, as a reference to Tench-class submarines.

Daniels originated as an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Daniel,' with Daniel deriving from Hebrew and meaning 'God is my judge.' As a masculine given name, Daniels represents the trend of using surnames as first names, which gained momentum in American naming practices during the 20th century. The name conveys strength and tradition while maintaining a contemporary edge with its plural form and final 's'. While less common than simply using Daniel, choosing Daniels as a first name can honor family surnames or create a distinctive alternative to more popular biblical names. The name projects reliability and substance, perhaps influenced by its association with well-established brands and notable bearers of the surname in sports, entertainment, and business.

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

Nichol, a Medieval English form of Nicholas, has been pretty much lost to history but survives today in the surname form of Nichols.

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

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.

An old-fashioned term for a coal miner, or nowadays, a sister to Harper and Piper.

Skeat is a rare surname name that, like virtually every surname these days, is ripe for importation as a first.

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

Friendly-sounding name with big "Sweeney Todd" downside.