International Baby Names
Scottish Last Names
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About this list
Scottish last names have spread far and wide throughout the Global North, and are particularly common in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
The most common Scottish last names in the US include surnames that are exclusively Scottish, such as Scott and Campbell, along with those that count Scottish among multiple origins, including Allen and Morris. Other Scottish last names popular among Americans include Ross, Henderson, and Patterson.
The most common last names in Scotland of Scottish origin include Campbell, Stewart, Scott, and MacDonald. Many Scottish surnames are also English last names, like Hutton and Coburn, and Irish last names, such as Faraday and McNeill.
Some Scottish surnames come from given names, such as Duncan, Fergus, and Gavin. You may recognize some famous Scottish last names on this list, including Forbes, Gladstone, Cobain, and McQueen.
Scottish last names as first names are on the rise in the US, with choices like Blair, Campbell, and Paisley rising for girls, and Graham, Lennox, and Bowie moving upwards for boys. Many of these surname names can be considered gender-neutral names.
On Nameberry, the top Scottish surnames used as first names include Callum, Logan, and Knox.
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The names
Logan
Scottish
"small hollow"
According to exclusive Nameberry data, Logan is officially the Number 1 gender-neutral name in the US, but that statistic is somewhat misleading given that nearly 90 percent of the baby Logans born…
Paisley
Scottish
"church, cemetery"
For a name related to a Scottish town, a patterned Indian fabric, and a country singer named Brad, Paisley has seen remarkable success. After appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, it is now an…
Cameron
Scottish
"crooked nose"
With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to…
Callum
Scottish form of Columba, Latin
"dove"
Callum is a gentle, charming name of Scottish origin, that is a popular choice across the UK. In the US, it was a rare option until the late 2000s, however, since 2017 it's been rising up the ranks.…
Graham
Scottish
"gravelly homestead"
Well used in England and Scotland since the fifties, the smooth and sophisticated Graham is catching on here. Among the best known bearers are novelist Graham Greene, racing driver Graham Hill and…
Carson
English and Scottish surname
"son of the marsh dwellers"
Carson is one of the most long-running popular androgynous baby names , with a dash of the Wild West via the legendary Missouri frontiersman Kit Carson. Dating back to when it was the name of Nancy…
Hunter
English
"one who hunts"
Hunter has been dropping a bit for the past few years but is still one of the leaders of a distinctive band of boys' names that combines macho imagery (Hunter, Austin, Harley) with a softened…
Blair
Scottish
"dweller on the plain"
In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former…
Maxwell
Scottish
"great stream"
A happy medium between the weighty Maximilian and the laid-back Max, Maxwell is one of the most classic and attractive Scottish names . Early influences on the name's revival include Maxwell Smart of…
Alan
Irish
"handsome, cheerful"
In its three most popular spellings -- Alan along with Allen and Allan -- this midcentury favorite has tended to skew older. It was a Top 100 name from 1938 to 1971, peaking at Number 40 in 1951.…
Knox
Scottish
"round hill"
Knox is an old Scottish surname that Brad Pitt (whose great-great-grandfather was named Hal Knox Hillhouse) and Angelina Jolie took out of the back cupboard, dusted off, and elevated to coolness--to…
Mackenzie
Scottish
"son of Kenneth"
Originally inspired as by eighties TV actress Mackenzie Phillips, parents since have flocked to Mackenzie for their daughters. Now a staple All-American choice, Mackenzie has ranked in the US Top…
Grant
Scottish from French
"large"
One-time beach-boy compadre of Glenn, Greg, and Gary that originated as a nickname for a tall person, Grant has become a no-nonsense, career-oriented grown-up and one that is seeing new appreciation.…
Brody
Irish, English, and Scottish
"broad eye or broad island"
The energetic Brody is a name that claims different meanings and origins depending on whether you're looking at its Irish, Scottish, or English history -- and Eastern Europeans claim a version too.…
Dallas
Place name, surname and Irish
"meadow dwelling, valley house, skilled"
A laid-back cowboy name which feels both cool and gentle, Dallas has ranked in the US Top 500 since records began in 1880. Never super popular but surprisingly never out of style, Dallas is given to…
Lennox
Scottish
"elm grove"
Lennox is an aristocratic and powerful Scottish surname name made truly special by that final x. The worldwide fame of British boxer--World and Olympic champion--Lennox Claudius Lewis brought the…
Reid
English
"red-haired"
The Reid spelling is the most popular by half, probably because it feels more like a name than Reed, which looks more like a word. It's used occasionally for girls but this name is firmly in the…
Gavin
Celtic
"white hawk"
Gavin, a name with Scottish roots, has stepped into the spotlight, replacing the dated Kevin, thanks in part to pop-rock sensation Gavin DeGraw and Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale. Gavin also has…
Finley
Irish and Scottish
"fair-haired hero"
A hugely popular choice for boys in England and Wales, Finley has been used for both sexes in the US since the early 2000s, and has since become one of the most popular unisex names . Until recently,…
Sterling
English
"of the highest quality"
A name with some sterling qualities, most associated with the British currency and silver markets, though it could easily be seen as a virtue-adjacent choice, like Merit, Chosen, or Hero. It has been…
