Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames · Nature, Place and Word Names
Habitational Surnames
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Pruit
English
"one who lives near a meadow"
Pruit originated as a habitational surname for someone living near a meadow (from the Old English 'prut'). Variants include Pruett, Pruitt, and Prewitt. As a first name, Pruit has a crisp, concise…
Revello
Italian place name, Catalan
"wild olive tree"
Most frequently seen as a surname of those with Italian or Spanish heritage. The Italian variation is a habitational surname denoting ancestors from the town of Revello, while the Catalan (sometimes…
Stokes
English surname
"person from Stoke"
Stokes is ultimately an English surname, although it's been used in Ireland and Scotland for generations as well. It's a variation of Stoke, a habitational surname, as there were many towns named…
Astaire
Surname
"from Austerlitz, Moravia"
Dancer Fred Astaire lends a heavy dose of glamour to his surname, an Anglicized version of the Austrian-Jewish name Austerlitz. Austerlitz is a habitational surname denoting someone from Austerlitz,…
Edgecombe
English surname
"a village on the edge of a valley"
There were various villages called Edgecombe (and Edgcumbe and Eggcumbe) in Old England, particularly in present-day Cornwall and Devon. Local families adopted it as a surname — habitational surnames…
Hatchell
English surname, meaning unknown
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…
Eisen
German surname
"iron, iron cutter"
In German, the word eisen means "iron." It was adapted as a surname for Ashkenazi Jews — many of which were ornamental and had no ties to one's family history. Metals such as gold (Gold), silver…
Knoll
English and German surname
"dweller near the hill; lump"
An architectural take on Noel. Knoll honors Florence Knoll, the Michigan-born modernist architect and furniture designer. Her namesake company still produces her designs today. Knoll first charted in…
Devereaux
French surname
"from Evreux; riverbank"
Devereaux is familiar to many English speakers as a surname but not as a first. It's a habitational name related to the town of Evreux in France, with the prefix de- denoting it likely referred to a…
Acton
English
"village with oak trees"
This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist -…
Afton
Scottish place name "Æffa's farmstead"
"Æffa's farmstead"
This Scottish town and river name sounds strong and modern on both boys and girls, similar in style to names like Alden, Aspen, and Arden. ossibly derived from Old English to mean "Æffa's farmstead"…
Alston
English
"elves' town"
Originally a family name and place name found primarily in England, it transitioned to occasional use as a first name. Alston carries an air of refinement and tradition, evoking images of English…
Anniston
English surname and American place name
"Anis' town; Annie's town"
A name with plenty of celebrity glamor and contemporary flair, Anniston has a variety of origins. On one hand, it's a place name, deriving from a city in Alabama of the same name. Founded in the late…
Arrington
English habitational surname
"Earna's settlement"
Names ending in -ton (meaning "settlement") are white-hot, and Arrington is one of the freshest on the scene.
Aston
English
"eastern settlement"
Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.
Arlington
English habitational surname, place name
"noble's town"
With Arley, Arlo, Remington, and Kensington on the rise, Arlington might also start to appeal. The surname style name could make a patriotic choice for those in the US, evoking Arlington National…
Britton
English
"from Britain"
Britton, technically a spelling variation of Britain, is much more popular that the original place name for both boys and girls. There are about three baby girls named Britton for every four boys,…
Bennington
Place-name
Name of pastoral Vermont town and college sounds too stiff and starchy.
Benton
English surname and place name
"bent grass enclosure"
Benton is an old English surname of a type usually given to local landowners. It is also recorded in early records as Beneton and Bentune. Benton newly returned to the Social Security list in 2011…
Barton
English
"from the barley settlement"
More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.