Scottish Last Names

Stronger and more contemporary twist on Carla or Carly, Carlin was used just about equally for girls and boys in the US last year.

Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.

A common family name in Scotland, occasionally used as a first.

Mc- names beyond McKenzie are catching on, with Mccoy entering the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2023. Rugged but cool McRae might be another possibility.

This Scottish surname and Scottish and Australian place name has a pleasant airy and breezy sound to it. Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak chose the name for her daughter born in 2016.

Not yet on the place-name map, this name has Shakespearean ties via the Duke Of Albany character in King Lear.

Lennox is one of the hottest unisex names of recent years, and this spelling retains the appealing surname vibe and cool -x ending.

Though Davy Crockett is a childhood hero, a frontiersman, soldier, politician, congressman and prolific storyteller. But be aware that "crock" is American slang for a lot of nonsense or something broken.

A surname very rarely heard as a first, associated with Hall of Fame basketball star Patrick Ewing and, in the 1980s, the oil-rich Ewing family on the nighttime soap, "Dallas"

Despite its appearance, McGill is not related to any of the Gil- names, including Gilbert, Gilford, and Gilson. The "gill" piece is derived from the Gaelic word gall, meaning "foreigner." Yet, it could still be used to honor a Gil in your life.

A stylish but as yet undiscovered surname-style name, with the familiar sounds of Lane, Mack, and and Kane.

This familiar Irish surname, best known as the name of the mononamed Welsh female singer, is extremely rare as a first name in the US but could make an original Irish choice.

Moray is a masculine name with Scottish geographical origins, named after Moray Firth or the historic province of Moray in northeastern Scotland. The name derives from Celtic elements meaning 'sea settlement' or possibly 'settlement by the sea.' Besides its place-name origins, Moray is associated with the moray eel, giving it subtle nautical connections. As a first name, Moray remains uncommon, providing a distinctive choice with strong Scottish heritage. It appeals to parents seeking names with geographical significance or Scottish roots. The name has a strong, concise sound with its two syllables and conveys a sense of natural strength and Celtic tradition.

This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.

Roy, Royce, Royal, and Rory are all in the US Top 1000, where they join a plethora of surname-inspired names ending in -son. Royson is a new consideration, with a smart, handsome feel to it, combined with a touch of the floral.

This Scottish surname and Scottish and Australian place name has a pleasant airy and breezy sound to it. Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak chose the name for her daughter born in 2016.

Influencer couple Rachel and Jordan Flom put Brisbane on the baby name map when they used it for one of their triplet sons, born in 2024. Australian place names — from Adelaide to Sydney to Victoria — have long been favorites among parents, but Brisbane has a more modern, gender-neutral appeal.

The more popular Greer spelling might lean feminine, however, Grier sees more even distribution between the sexes. It is given to a small handful of babies each year, and for every one Grier, there are three Greers.

Carston is a strong masculine name with Germanic and English origins, likely derived from the surname Carson with an added 't' or from variations of Christian names containing 'car' elements meaning 'free man.' This dignified name combines traditional roots with contemporary appeal, striking a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness. Carston emerged in popularity during the late 20th century alongside the trend for surname-inspired first names. Though not among the most common names, it maintains steady usage in English-speaking countries. Carston conveys strength and reliability, with its crisp consonants suggesting a forthright, trustworthy character. The name works well across ages, from boyhood through adulthood.

Evocative of the sand dunes at the beach, Doone is a relatively rare surname found in Scotland, Ireland and England. It was recently used with this spelling by Olympic medalist Amanda Beard; photographer Diane Arbus named her daughter Doon, inspired, yes, by walks along the sand dunes during her pregnancy.