100 Popular English Last Names
English surnames have deep roots showcasing centuries of cultural heritage, commerce, and customs.
Names like “Smith” or “Taylor” point to old professions, while others such as “Hill” or “Wood” come from landscape features.
Each last name offers a captivating peek into times gone by. Whether you want to explore your family tree or you’re just interested in where common surnames come from, looking into English last names is like opening a living history book.
Come with us to uncover the meanings, backgrounds, and tales behind some of the best-known surnames in English-speaking countries.
Popular English Last Names
Smith – Derived from “blacksmith,” meaning a worker of metal.
Taylor – Refers to a tailor, one who makes or alters clothes.
Brown – Often associated with a person with brown hair or complexion.
Williams – Means “son of William,” where William signifies “resolute protector.”
Jones – Derived from “John,” meaning “God is gracious.”
Davis – Means “son of David,” where David signifies “beloved.”
Clark – Refers to a cleric or clerk, someone in a learned profession.
Hall – Signifies someone who lived in or near a large hall or manor.
White – Likely given to someone with fair hair or complexion.
Harris – Means “son of Harry” or “Henry,” which means “ruler of the home.”
Lewis – From the Germanic “Ludwig,” meaning “renowned warrior.”
King – Likely used for someone in service to a king or with a regal demeanor.
Green – Referred to someone who lived near a village green.
Wright – Means “craftsman” or “builder.”
Walker – Derived from the occupation of walking on cloth to thicken it (fulling).
Turner – Occupational name for someone who worked with a lathe.
Hill – For someone who lived on or near a hill.
Moore – Refers to someone who lived near a moor or marsh.
Scott – Originally denoting someone from Scotland.
Cooper – Occupational name for a barrel maker.
Ward – From Old English, meaning “guardian” or “watchman.”
Morgan – Of Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born” or “bright sea.”
Bell – Could refer to a bell ringer or maker.
Bailey – Occupation-based, meaning “bailiff” or “enforcer of the law.”
Adams – Means “son of Adam,” where Adam signifies “man” or “earth.”
Baker – Occupational name for a bread maker.
Carter – Referred to someone who transported goods by cart.
Mitchell – Derived from “Michael,” meaning “who is like God.”
Parker – Occupational name for a park keeper.
Evans – Means “son of Evan,” with Evan meaning “God is gracious.”
Collins – Derived from “Colin,” a diminutive of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people.”
Cook – Occupational name for a cook or chef.
Reed – Likely referred to someone with red hair or ruddy complexion.
Rogers – Means “son of Roger,” with Roger meaning “famous spear.”
Murphy – Of Irish origin, meaning “sea warrior.”
Price – Derived from “Rhys,” meaning “enthusiasm” or “ardor.”
Ward – A caretaker or protector.
Wood – Signifies someone who lived in or near a forest.
Hughes – Means “son of Hugh,” with Hugh meaning “heart” or “mind.”
Ellis – A variation of Elijah, meaning “my God is Yahweh.”
Knight – May refer to someone of knighthood or who served one.
Cunningham – Of Scottish origin, meaning “village of the milk pail.”
Fisher – Occupational name for someone who caught or sold fish.
Coleman – Derived from “coalman,” meaning a charcoal burner.
Chapman – From Old English, meaning “merchant” or “trader.”
Harper – Occupational name for a harp player.
Lane – Referred to someone who lived near a lane or narrow path.
Duncan – Of Gaelic origin, meaning “dark warrior.”
Saunders – Means “son of Alexander,” where Alexander signifies “defender of men.”
Spencer – Derived from a steward or dispenser of provisions.
Anderson – Means “son of Andrew,” where Andrew signifies “manly” or “brave.”
Chambers – Refers to someone who worked in a chamber or large room.
Barber – Occupational name for a barber or hairdresser.
Hunt – Occupational or nickname for a hunter.
Arnold – Derived from “eagle power” or “strong as an eagle.”
Foster – Occupational name for a forest worker or one who looked after others.
Pearson – Means “son of Piers,” with Piers being a variant of Peter, meaning “rock.”
Graham – From a place name meaning “gravelly homestead.”
Marshall – Occupational name for a horse servant or military official.
Watson – Means “son of Walter,” with Walter meaning “ruler of the army.”
Bond – Derived from “bondsman,” meaning a tenant or serf.
Porter – Occupational name for a gatekeeper or doorkeeper.
Bennett – From the Latin “Benedictus,” meaning “blessed.”
Fox – Could refer to a fox-like person or someone living near foxes.
Shaw – From Old English, meaning “dweller by the woods.”
Wilkins – Means “son of Wilkin,” a diminutive of William.
Hart – Refers to a stag or deer, often used as a nickname.
Webb – Occupational name for a weaver.
Richards – Means “son of Richard,” with Richard meaning “brave ruler.”
Stephens – Means “son of Stephen,” with Stephen meaning “crown” or “garland.”
Mason – Occupational name for a stoneworker or builder.
Hammond – Derived from Old English, meaning “home protector.”
Gilbert – From Old German, meaning “bright pledge.”
Fletcher – Occupational name for a maker of arrows.
Barrett – Means “quarrelsome” or “strife.”
Holland – Originally referred to someone from Holland or lowlands.
Thorpe – Means “village” or “hamlet.”
Glover – Occupational name for a maker or seller of gloves.
Kerr – Means “marsh dweller” or “man from the wetlands.”
Norman – Refers to someone of Norse origin or a “north man.”
Bridges – For someone living near a bridge.
Osborne – Means “divine bear” or “bear god.”
Jennings – Derived from the given name “Jenning,” meaning “little John.”
Francis – From Latin, meaning “free man” or “Frenchman.”
Godfrey – Means “God’s peace.”
Stanley – From Old English, meaning “stone clearing” or “stony field.”
Chandler – Occupational name for a maker or seller of candles.
Perry – Referred to someone living near a pear tree.
Abbott – Referred to a priest or head of an abbey.
Knighton – Means “knight’s town” or someone from a town associated with knights.
Blake – Can mean “dark” or “fair,” depending on origin.
Burgess – Referred to a freeman of a borough or town.
Shepherd – Occupational name for a shepherd or herdsman.
Winters – Referred to someone associated with winter or born in winter.
Rowe – From Old English, meaning “dweller by a row of houses.”
Thatcher – Occupational name for a roof thatcher.
Mills – Occupational name for a miller or someone who worked at a mill.
Pope – Nickname for someone acting piously or a servant of the Pope.
Noble – Refers to someone of noble character or status.
Tucker – Occupational name for a cloth fuller, one who softened and cleaned fabric.
