Scottish Last Names
- Conway
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"hound of the plain"Description:
Historically tied to country music legend Conway Twitty, it’s now gaining traction alongside names like Connor, Colton, and Corbin. Growing in usage along with other surnames as first names, Conway stands out as a fresh, yet familiar, choice.
- Bryce
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
Bryce is the preferred spelling over Brice for both genders, with nearly 70 girls named Bryce in one recent year vs. only five called Brice. But note that there were over 3000 boys named Bryce and 240 named Brice, making this a predominantly male name. Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of director Ron, is the most notable female bearer of this name.
- Baird
Origin:
Scottish occupational nameMeaning:
"minstrel, poet"Description:
Meaning bard, this is an original choice with poetic and melodic undertones. Bard itself has also come into consideration, both names bringing to mind Shakespeare and other literary lights.The Scottish surname Baird's most notable bearer was John Logie Baird, the Scottish engineer and inventor of the televisor, the world's first practical television system in 1926, and also the world's first fully electronic color TV tube two years later. Some might also remember puppeteers Bil and Cora Baird.
- Messer
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"knife; cutler"Description:
Messer has trendy surname style, but a "messy" first syllable and sharp imagery may give some prospective parents pause. Reality star Stassi Schroeder named her son Messer Rhys in 2023, brother to Hartford Charlie Rose.
- Lindsay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"island of linden trees"Description:
Lindsay is one of the few truly unisex names (rather than being a name that has changed genders). Over time the ey ending was usually reserved for women and the ay ending reserved for men, although both spellings are overwhelmingly female these days.
- Menzies
Origin:
Scottish surname of Norman originMeaning:
"to reside, abide"Description:
Traditionally pronounced "ming-iz" and thus the relationship to the jazzy Mingus, Menzies is an old Scottish surname related to the more common Manners.
- Erwin
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"respected friend"Description:
One of the many names with a strong "er" sound, like Bertram and Ernest, that was huge in the 1920s and is languishing in style limbo now. One famous bearer is the physicist Erwin Schrödinger, as in Schrödinger's cat.
- Scot
Description:
Scot is a masculine name with clear geographic origins, directly referring to a person from Scotland. Derived from the Latin 'Scotus,' meaning 'Scottish,' this concise name carries strong cultural associations with Scottish heritage and identity. As a given name, Scot gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in America, often chosen by families with Scottish ancestry. The single-t spelling distinguishes it slightly from the more common 'Scott,' giving it a more direct connection to its ethnic origins. While never reaching the widespread popularity of Scott, Scot offers a straightforward option for parents seeking a simple, recognizable name with clear cultural roots. Its brevity and strong consonant sounds give it a distinctly masculine character.
- Gibson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Gilbert's son"Description:
An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the popular brand of guitars, it could make an unexpected, music-related option.
- Prentiss
Description:
Prentiss originated as an English surname derived from the word 'apprentice,' referring to someone who was learning a trade or craft. As a given name, it has transitioned primarily to use as a masculine first name, though it occasionally appears as a unisex or feminine name as well. Prentiss has an aristocratic, distinguished quality that evokes New England prep schools and old-money families. It peaked in popularity in the early 20th century but has since become quite uncommon, giving it a vintage appeal. The name carries connotations of learning, skill development, and professional dedication based on its etymological roots. Its distinctive sound and spelling make it stand out, while its historical usage gives it substance. Prentiss might appeal to parents drawn to rare surname-style names with a touch of traditional prestige.
- Mckenzie
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Kenneth"Description:
Derived from a Scottish surname, Mckenzie is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth. As a given name, it took off for girls in the US in the 70s, thanks to actress Mackenzie Phillips, and it has always been less popular for boys. While Mackenzie was chosen for 86 boys in the US last year, the Mckenzie spelling was used for just 7.
- Woods
Origin:
Nature nameMeaning:
"one who lives by the woods; area covered in trees"Description:
Woods is a nature name that is a cousin to the stylish Brooks and Forest, evoking the entire world of trees. Sometimes used as a diminutive of Woodrow or Edward, Woods is rugged and outdoorsy, with a preppy surname-style feel too.
- Faraday
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"wood man"Description:
This unusual Scottish surname was made immortal by Michael Faraday, a British scientist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His name is now a unit of scientific measurement for electricity - a 'power'ful name for any little boy.
- Niven
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"little saint"Description:
Excellent candidate for use as an undiscovered surname name. Niven is the Anglicized spelling of the Irish name Naomhan, a diminutive of the word naomh which means saint. This handsome but unusual name was given to only six boys in the US last year. Your parents may be familiar with actor David Niven.
- Mckinley
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of the fair hero"Description:
Presidential name that makes a fresh substitute for MacKenzie or McKenna. Possible spelling variations include MacKinley, MacKinlee, Makinleigh ad almost infinitum. McKinley is one of the Scottish names for girls that can work equally well for boys.
- Dallas
Origin:
Place name, surname and IrishMeaning:
"meadow dwelling, valley house, skilled"Description:
A name with a bit of glamor but also cowgirl vibes, Dallas entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 1992. It fell out of style during noughties, but reappeared in 2012 when other gender neutral names like River, Sawyer, Rowan, and Blake were also climbing fast.
- Ramsay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"low-lying land"Description:
A surname occasionally used as a first, as in former attorney general Ramsey Clark. This spelling is now closely associated with the psychopathic Game of Thrones villain Ramsay Snow (later Ramsay Bolton), and so is probably best avoided as long as the show and books are popular.
- Airlie
Origin:
Scottish surname and place nameDescription:
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.
- Doon
Origin:
Spelling variation of word name Dune or Scottish surnameMeaning:
"brown or dark"Description:
Photographer Diane Arbus named her daughter Doon, inspired by the sand dunes she walked among when pregnant. Used this way, Doon might be considered a nature name, a refashioning of the word dune. But Doon might also stem from the familiar Scottish surname Dunn or Dunne, which means brown or dark, originally used for a dark-haired person.
- Shaw
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller by the wood"Description:
With the current taste for last names first, this sounds a lot cooler than Shawn; it also has creative connections to the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, novelist Irwin Shaw, and Big Band Era clarinetist/bandleader and one-time Ava Gardner husband Artie Shaw.