Puritan Surnames

Simpson

English

"son of Simon"

Try Simon. Or Homer.

Smith

English occupational name

"blacksmith"

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. Though…

Smyth

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…

Squire

French

"esquire"

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

Sumner

English occupational name

"summoner"

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,…

Talmadge

English surname, Old French, Norman

"pouch, knapsack; ringing of the bell"

Distinctive Talmadge could be an Anglo-Saxon name and English surname that was originally given to a person who carried a knapsack or pack, for example, a traveller or a pedlar. It comes from the Old…

Turner

English

"works with a lathe"

Turner is a name that's both preppy and painterly, recalling the exquisite watercolor seascapes of British painter J.M.W. Turner. An occupational name in the Taylor-Carter mold, Turner is a more…

Ward

English occupational name

"guard, watchman"

Until recently Ward was, like Wally, a Cleaver name, but today's parents are seeing it as a cooler nickname for Edward than Eddie, and are also beginning to use it on its own.

Webb

English occupational name

"weaver"

This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback. Webb is one of those names…