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Puritan Surnames

  1. Richardson

    • Description:

      Richardson is a masculine name with English origins, traditionally used as a surname meaning 'son of Richard.' Richard itself combines Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler,' making Richardson essentially mean 'son of the powerful ruler.' As a first name, Richardson is uncommon, having never ranked among popular given names in the US or UK. It represents the trend of using surnames as first names, appealing to families looking for formal, distinguished-sounding names or those wishing to honor someone with the Richardson surname. The name offers friendly nicknames like Rich, Rick, or Richie. It carries connotations of dignity and tradition while maintaining its distinctiveness as a first name.

  2. Ryse

    • Description:

      Ryse is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a creative variant of Rise, reflecting upward movement and achievement, or a contemporary spelling of Rice or Rhys, which have Welsh origins meaning 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor.' The single-syllable structure gives it a strong, punchy quality appealing to parents seeking brief but impactful names. The name gained some recognition through the video game character 'Ryse: Son of Rome,' potentially influencing its usage. As a relatively new name in circulation, Ryse conveys a sense of strength and uniqueness. Its modern spelling with the 'y' adds visual distinction while maintaining the straightforward pronunciation. The name remains uncommon but aligns with current trends favoring short, powerful-sounding boy names.
  3. Rainsford
    • Royse
      • Ruggles
        • Sampson

          • Origin:

            Hebrew

          • Meaning:

            "sun"

          • Description:

            This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p: Samson will do.
        • Sanford

          • Origin:

            English

          • Meaning:

            "sandy ford"

          • Description:

            A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.
        • Scott

          • Origin:

            English

          • Meaning:

            "from Scotland"

          • Description:

            A cool, windswept, surfer babe-magnet in 1965, a nice dad -- or even granddad -- today.
        • Seely

          • Description:

            Seely is a masculine name with Old English origins, derived from the word 'sǣlig' meaning 'happy,' 'blessed,' or 'fortunate.' It existed primarily as a surname throughout medieval and modern history, before occasionally transitioning to first-name usage. The name carries a gentle, positive connotation through its meaning and soft sound. Seely may also relate to the similar-sounding word 'silly,' though historically the terms had different connotations, with 'seely' suggesting innocence rather than foolishness. As a first name, Seely remains quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. Its simple two-syllable structure and positive historical meaning make it an understated choice with subtle charm, appealing to those drawn to uncommon names with historic English language roots.

        • Simpson

          • Origin:

            English

          • Meaning:

            "son of Simon"

          • Description:

            Try Simon. Or Homer.
        • Smith

          • Origin:

            English occupational name

          • Meaning:

            "blacksmith"

          • Description:

            Even if it is the Number one surname in the U.S.--with more than 2.5 million bearers--we still think that Smith would make a cool first or middle name, whether or not it has family history.
        • Smyth

          • Description:

            Smyth is a masculine name that originated as an occupational surname, representing an alternative spelling of 'Smith.' The surname denoted a metalworker or blacksmith, derived from the Old English 'smið,' making it one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries. As a first name, Smyth is extremely rare, offering a distinctive quality while maintaining familiar sounds. The 'y' spelling variation gives the name a more archaic or aristocratic appearance compared to the standard 'Smith.' Using Smyth as a first name often represents a family surname being preserved through generations or honors family heritage. Despite its rarity as a first name, its familiar sound makes it accessible while remaining unique.
        • Squire

          • Origin:

            French

          • Meaning:

            "esquire"

          • Description:

            Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch.
        • Sumner

          • Origin:

            English occupational name

          • Meaning:

            "summoner"

          • Description:

            Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names, so it may only be a matter of time before parents discover this one.
        • Sales
          • Saltonstall
            • Saxton
              • Seaman
                • Sharpee
                  • Smead