Surnames AKA Last Names

  1. Poust
    • Quigley
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "from the mother's side"
      • Description:

        The spoiled only son of the richest family in town in a fifties movie.
    • Rea
      • Origin:

        Variation of Rhea
      • Description:

        Short but substantial.
    • Reardon
      • Description:

        Reardon is primarily an Irish surname that has occasionally transitioned into use as a first name. Derived from the Gaelic 'Ó Riordáin' or 'Ó Reardáin,' meaning 'descendant of Rioghbhardán,' which combines elements meaning 'royal' and 'bard' or 'poet.' As a first name, Reardon offers a distinctive option with literary and artistic connotations through its bardic origins. It maintains a strong, masculine sound while being uncommon enough to stand out. The name has seen very limited use as a first name, mostly in families with Irish heritage who may be honoring ancestral surnames. Reardon fits within the modern trend of surname-to-first-name conversions while offering a rich cultural history.

    • Reinwald
      • Description:

        Reinwald is a Germanic masculine name composed of two elements: 'regin' meaning 'counsel' or 'advice' and 'wald' meaning 'rule' or 'power'. Together, these elements create a name that suggests a powerful advisor or wise ruler. The name has ancient roots in Germanic traditions where compound names often reflected aspirational qualities for the bearer. While not widely used in modern times, Reinwald maintains popularity in some German-speaking regions and among families with Germanic heritage. The name carries a strong, traditional feel with historical connections to medieval European naming patterns. Its relative rarity today gives it a distinctive quality for those seeking an uncommon name with historical depth.

    • Richard
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "dominant ruler"
      • Description:

        A classic old Norman name popular for a thousand years and favored for kings (Richard Nixon was named for Richard the Lionhearted), as well as the hoi polloi (as in every Tom, Dick and Harry), Richard was the sixth most popular US boys’ name in 1925, and was still Number 8 in 1950, but is now much less popular.
    • Riggins
      • Origin:

        Anglicized form of Ó Riagáin, Irish
      • Meaning:

        "son of Riagán; son of the little king"
      • Description:

        A rugged and contemporary choice, Riggins fits in with the likes of Briggs, Bridger, Riggs, Ridge, and Collins: surname style names with an outdoorsy feel. Riggins, however, is currently more quietly used than its style companions, given to around 125 boys in the US in a recent year.
    • Rivers
      • Origin:

        Nature name and surname, English
      • Meaning:

        "rivers"
      • Description:

        The name Rivers combines two major trends: nature names like the popular River itself, and S-ending surname-names such as Brooks, Rhodes, and yes, Rivers.
    • Rivers
      • Origin:

        Nature name and surname, English
      • Meaning:

        "rivers"
      • Description:

        Rivers is an indisputably unisex surname with is strong nature connotation and its connection to the character Diana Rivers from Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. Rivers is also the first name of one of the girl Sweet Home sextuplets.
    • Roban
      • Description:

        Roban is a masculine name with several potential origins. It may be a variation of Robin, which derives from the Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'berht' (bright). Alternatively, it could relate to the Irish name Ruadhán, meaning 'red-haired' or 'little red one.' In some contexts, it appears as a surname or place name before transitioning to use as a given name. Roban has a strong, concise sound while remaining relatively uncommon in most English-speaking countries. The name carries a subtle medieval quality while still feeling contemporary and accessible. Its cross-cultural potential and masculine sound appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet pronounceable that works well internationally.
    • Roberts
      • Description:

        Roberts functions primarily as a surname derived from the personal name Robert, meaning 'bright fame' from Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright). As a masculine first name, Roberts represents an uncommon variation that maintains the surname's full form rather than reverting to Robert. This practice of using surnames as first names reflects an Anglo-American naming tradition that conveys formality and familial connection. The name carries a distinguished quality, often associated with professional settings and traditional values. While considerably less common than Robert, the name Roberts has maintained a subtle presence in naming records, particularly in families where it might honor maternal lineage. The addition of the final 's' gives the traditional name a distinctive quality while preserving its recognizable roots and strong masculine associations.
    • Robertson
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of Robert"
      • Description:

        A better modern solution than Robert Jr. ; known to fiction readers via Canadian novelist Robertson Davies.
    • Roch
      • Origin:

        French and Polish
      • Meaning:

        "rest"
      • Description:

        French and Polish form of Rocco
    • Roche
      • Description:

        Roche is an uncommon masculine name derived from the French word for 'rock' or 'boulder,' ultimately from Latin 'rocca.' As a surname, Roche has been prominent in Ireland (often Anglicized from the Gaelic Ó Róichín) and in France, but its use as a first name remains relatively rare. The name conveys qualities of strength, stability, and endurance through its stone-related meaning. Roche also appears as a place name in several French-speaking regions, potentially giving it geographical associations. As a given name, it offers a short, distinctive option with a sophisticated French flair while being easy to pronounce in multiple languages. Despite its simplicity, Roche has never gained widespread popularity as a first name, making it an uncommon choice that carries subtle continental European influences.
    • Roche
      • Description:

        Roche is a feminine name with French origins, derived from the word meaning "rock" or "stone." It functions both as a surname and given name, though it's considerably more common as a family name. As a given name, Roche has a distinctive, sophisticated sound with its soft ending and French pronunciation. The name evokes images of strength, stability, and endurance—qualities associated with its literal meaning. While rare as a first name in most English-speaking countries, it may be found more frequently in French-speaking regions or among families with French heritage. Roche also has connections to geological features and places named after rocky landscapes, giving it a nature-inspired quality that appeals to parents seeking uncommon names with subtle but meaningful associations.

    • Rochester
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "stone camp or fortress"
      • Description:

        Rochester was Jack Benny's famous valet and sidekick, played by early African-American comic Eddie Anderson.
    • Roe
      • Origin:

        English, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, or Korean surname
      • Meaning:

        "roe deer; wise protector; son of Ruadh; red; clearing; ability"
      • Description:

        In the US, the multicultural surname Roe is primarily associated with the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, which granted the federal right to abortion, though elsewhere it might be associated with fish eggs or a small breed of reddish deer.
    • Roe
      • Origin:

        English, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, or Korean surname
      • Meaning:

        "roe deer; wise protector; son of Ruadh; red; clearing; ability"
      • Description:

        In the US, the multicultural surname Roe is primarily associated with the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, which granted the federal right to abortion, though elsewhere it might be associated with fish eggs or a small breed of reddish deer.
    • Rohan
      • Origin:

        Irish, Scottish, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit ,"rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
      • Meaning:

        "rowan tree; redhead; sandalwood; ascension"
      • Description:

        Simultaneously a name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, a spelling variation of the popular Rowan and an anglicized form of Irish Ruadhán, Rohan is a cross-cultural choice.
    • Rollo
      • Origin:

        Latin form of Rolf
      • Meaning:

        "wolf"
      • Description:

        Rollo is a livelier, roly-poly, o-ending version of Roland.