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Surname
&
My Family Coat of Arms

Bear in mind that many surnames have taken on variations of spelling though the ages. For instance my BEVANS became BIVENS - my COCKBURN became COGBURN & may SPENGLER became SPANGLER.

A SURNAME is the what is commonly referred to now as the "last" name. Children take the surname of their father. However, in today's society, so many children are born out of "wedlock" and many have the surname of the mother.

The meanings of surnames can possibly tell you a little of your family history, i.e. where the name originated, even some counties of the country, perhaps the occupation of your ancestor.

Happy Hunting!


A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H

Index I-Q | Index R-Z

A

ABRAMS (English). (Hebrew) "Father of a multitude".

ACKERMAN (English). "Farmer (literally plot man)."

ACKROYD (English). "Dweller in the oak forest".

ADAMS (English). "Son of Adam (='red' in Hebrew)."

AHLMAN (English). (German) "Slippery person or eel fisher".

ALAN (English). Commonly derived from the term for a member of a nomadic Scythian tribe; in Scotland, derived from ail or stone.

ALBERT (English). "Noble bright" (Germanic).

ALDEN (English). "Old friend."

ALEXANDER (English, others). "Defender of men" (Greek); often through the two Scottish kings.

ALLARD (English; French). From Alah-hard (Germanic), "sacred or divine one".

ALLEN (English). "Member of a nomadic Scythian tribe".

ALVEY (English). "Elf war."

AMBROSE (English). "Immortal" (Greek).

AMMON (English). "Awe/terror protector" (Germanic).

AMMONS (English). "Son of Ammon."

AMOS (English). "Carried" (Hebrew); a corruption of Amis.

ANDERSON (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacAindris".

ANDERSON (English). "Son of Andrew."

ANDREW (English). "Manly" (Greek); through Saint Andrew.

ANDREWS (English). "Manly Greek," the first-called disciple.

APPLEBY (English). "Apple farm" (Old English, Old Norse), places in England.

APPLETON (English). "Apple farm," places in England.

ARCHER (English). "Bowman" (Old French), either for profession or skill.

ARENDELL (English). "Dwelling place".

ARMBRISTER (German). "Crossbow" (Germanic).

ARMSTRONG (English). "Strong in the arm."

ARNOLD (English). "Eagle power" (Germanic), places in England.

ARTHUR (English). "Bear-guardian" (Greek); through the historical figure.

ASA (Hebrew). From Asa, "physician".

ASHBROOK (English). "Eastern brook," place in England.

ASHCROFT (English). "Croft in the ash trees", place in England.

ASHER (English). From Aescere, "dweller by a landmark ashtree".

ASHLEY (English). "Ash-tree wood/glade/clearing," places in England.

ATKIN (English). Double-diminuitive of Adam.

ATKINS (English). "Son of Atkin."

ATKINSON (English). "Son of Adam".

ATTWOOD (English). "At the wood."

AUFDERHEIDE (German). "On the meadow or heath" (Germanic).

AUGUSTIN(E) (English). Diminuitive of "Augustus" (venerable, consecrated in Latin); through the two saints.

AUSTIN (English). Form of Augustin.

AVERY (English). Form of Alfred (which the Normans found hard to pronounce).

AYER (English). "Heir" (Old French).

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BACCUS (English). "Bakehouse".

BACHMEIER (German). "Brook farmer" (German).

BAGWELL (English). "Of Bagga's spring."

BAILEY (English). "Bailiff, crown official or keeper of a royal building".

BAIN (English). In England, "(Public) bath," for an attendant. In Scotland, "bone" in a northern dialect.

BALDING (German). From Baldo-lug (Germanic), "descendant of the young, bold one".

BALL (English). "Bald, or bare patch"

BANNON (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Banain".

BARKHOUSE (English). Form of Berghaus.

BARNES (English). "Of the barn (originally 'barley house')."

BARNETT (English). "Commerce,chaffering" or "trouble or fraud".

BARNEY (English). "Barley/barn island," places in England.

BARRINGTON (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Barrain".

BARTHOLOMEW (English). "Son of Talmai" (Hebrew).

BARTON (English). "Barley farm or farmyard".

BASTENDORF (German). "Sebastian's town" (Germanic).

BATES (English). Son of diminuitive of "Bartholomew"; or "boat(man)" with a Northern accent; or "profit, gain" (Old Norse).

BAUER (English). "Farmer or peasant".

BAUGHMAN (German). "Brook, dweller on a brook" (Germanic).

BAUSTERT (German). "Bastard."

BEAL (English). "Handsome man".

BEASLEY (English). "Bent grass, wood clearing".

BEATY (English). "Having many furrows, rich in land".

BECK (German). "Brook" (Germanic).

BECKERDITE (German). "Becker=baker" (Germanic).

BECKETT (English). "Little mouth/beak" (Old French), or "Bee cottage (hive)," place in England.

BECKHAM (English). "Stream farm" (Old Norse + Old English).

BEDFORD (English). "Bede's ford".

BEERS (English). ). "Swine pasture" or "barley field."

BEEVER (English). "Place with a nice view".

BELL (English). "Residence by the town bell".

BELL (English). "Beautiful, handsome" (Old French); or "Bell-ringer"; or diminuitive of Isabell.

BELLAM (English). "Handsome man".

BELLEW (English). (Normanic) "Lovely water".

BENDER (English, German). In Britain, "Archer," from the bending of the bow; in Germany, "battle flag-bearing warrior" (Germanic).

BENEDICT (English). "Blessed" (Latin), often through the saint.

BENNETT (English). (Latin) "Blessed, from Benedict".

BENNINGTON (English). "Derivative of St. Benedict".

BENTON (English). "Place in the bent grass" or "bean farm," places in England.

BERNARD (English). "Bear brave" or "warrior brave" (Germanic).

BERRY (English). Form of Bury.

BETHEL (English). "Son of (Welsh ap) Ithel", or diminuitive of "Elizabeth."

BETTS (English, German). Form of Betz, of a diminuitive of "Bertram" or "Bertelmew."

BETZ (German). "Young bear" (German).

BICKEL (German). From Bigo, "staff or long stick (an authority emblem)".

BIDDWELL (English). "By spring or stream in a shallow valley."

BIEBER (German). "Beaver" (German), for industriousness.

BIGGS (English). "Son of Bigg (big, strong)."

BIGNALL (English). Place in England.

BILLING (English). "Son of Bill."

BILTON (English). "Bill's town."

BINGLEY (English). "Clearing with a hollow".

BIRKBECK (English). "Stream in the birches" (Old Norse), place in England.

BISCHOFF (German). "Bishop" (Germanic).

BISHOP (English). "Bishop" - hopefully for one who worked in the house of a celebate bishop.

BISS (English). "Fine linen" (Greek through Old French), or "dull/brownish grey" (Old French).

BISSETT. Possibly a form of Biss.

BLACK (English). "Black haired, dark complexioned."

BLACKBURN (English). "Black stream".

BLAIR (English). From Blar (Gaelic), "plain or field".

BLAKE (English). "Pale"; or, an altered pronounciation of "Black."

BLAKEY (English). "Black haired".

BLANCHARD (French, English). "White," (Old French).

BLANKINSHIP (English). "Hope," or first eight letters may be an owner's name in the genitive (Welsh).

BLYTH(E) (English). "Cheerful, gentle"; or, "land of gentle/pleasant streams," places in England.

BODEMAN (German). "Adherent of the royal messenger" (German).

BODEN (German). Form of Bodeman.

BOGGS (English). ). "Bog" (Irish).

BOLTON (English). "Place with houses/huts, center of a village," places in England.

BONDS (English). ). "Peasant, serf."

BONHAM (English). "Good man" (Old French).

BONNER (English). "Gentle, gracious, courteous".

BOOTH (English). "Hut, shed, shelter" (Old Norse).

BOREN (English). From O'Bodhrain (Gaelic), "Descendant of the deaf one" BORISOV (Russian). "Son of Boris."

BOSCH (German). "Bush, brush, branch" (Germanic).

BOSTON (English). "(Saint) Botulf's stone," place in England.

BOUCHER (English). "Butcher" (Old French).

BOWDEN (English). Many places are called Bowden, "Curved hill" or "above the hill".

BOWEN (English). "Son of Owen."

BOWES (English). "Son of Bow (='arch, vault')."

BOWIE (English). "Yellow-haired" (Scots Gaelic).

BOWLES (English). "Heavy drinker" or "maker/seller of bowls".

BOWMAN (English). "Bowman, archer."

BOWSER (German). "Bolster" (Germanic).

BOYCE (English). "Wood" (Old French); or from a Germanic name meaning "boy, servant."

BOYD (English). "Yellow-haired" (Scots Gaelic).

BOYLE (English). "Descendant of Having Profitable Pledges" (Irish).

BRACKEEN (English). "Bracken (a swampy area)."

BRADBURY (English). "Fort made of boards/planks".

BRADFORD (English). "Broad ford," places in England.

BRADLEY (English). "Broad clearing," name of many places in England.

BRADSHAW (English). Places in England.

BRAGG (English). "Proud arrogant;brisk, brave" (Celtic).

BRANDON (English). ). "Hill covered with broom."

BRANDT (German). "Living in an area cleared by a fire" (German).

BRATTON (English). "Newly cultivated (broken-up) farm," places in England.

BREEDLOVE (English). From Braed-hloew, "broad hill".

BREEN (English). Originally O Breen - "Descendant of Sorrowful."

BRENT (English). "High place" (Celtic); or, "steep" (Old English).

BRETTIN (German). "Brett=pretzel maker or board" (Germanic).

BREWER (English). "Brewer."

BREWSTER (English). "Brewer".

BREWSTER (English). "Brewer, especially a female brewer."

BRIEN (English). For O Brien - "son of 'hill'-something" (Irish).

BRIGHAM (English). "Homestead by a bridge" (Old English scandinavized), places in England.

BRIGHT (English). "Bright, handsome".

BRINE (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Brien".

BRINKMAN (English). The one who lived over by the grassy knoll or was on the edge of the creek. In later parlance the name took on the meaning of an expert statesman practicing "Brinkmanship.".

BRISBANE (English). "Break-bone."

BRIUN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Beirne".

BROCK (English). "Badger," for foul-smelling; or, "young stag" (Old French); or from "brook/rivermeadow."

BROOK (English). "Brook."

BROOKS (English). Has as many origins as there are streams.

BROTHERS. (English). "Son of Brother" (Old Norse); or "son of a kinsman."

BROWN(E) (English). "Brown-haired, brown-skinned" (Old English, Old French).

BROWNING (English). Diminuitive of "Brown."

BROWNSMITH (English). "Copper/brass smith."

BRUCE (English). Originally from a place in Normandy.

BRYAN (T) (Irish). For O Brien - "son of 'hill'-something" (Irish).

BUCKET(T) (English). Form of Duckett.

BUCKMAN (English). "Goat/stag keeper".

BUEHLER (German). "Scrub covered marsh" (Germanic).

BULLOCK (English). "Bullock (castrated bull)."

BUNCH (English). From Bun, "ready and alert one".

BURCHETT (English). "Dweller by the birch grove or fort hardy".

BURDICK (English). "Girl, maiden".

BURGESS (English). "Citizen, freeman" (Old French; same root as bourgeois).

BURLESON (English). "Son of a butler".

BURROWS (English). "Of the fort/manor".

BURT (English). "Bright, handsome."

BURTON (English). "Manor house enclosure" or "fortified farm".

BUSBY (English). "Small farm with bushes on it" (Old Norse), place in England.

BUSSEY (English). "Talkitive person or a gossiper" (Italian).

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CAIN(E) (English). "Caen (=field of combat)" (Gaulish); or, "Beautiful" (Welsh), possibly after St. Keyne; or, "Son of warrior" (Manx).

CALDWELL (English). "Cold spring/stream," places in England.

CAMDEN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Camdhain".

CAMERON (English). "Crooked nose" (Scots Gaelic).

CAMPBELL (English). "Crooked mouth" (Scots Gaelic).

CANADA (Native American, English). "place of gathering"; or from Cinneide (Gaelic), "son of the helmeted one".

CANNON (English). "Canon, member of the communal house of clergy" (Old French).

CANTWELL (English). "Cant (unidentified place) Well "stream".
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that the surname "Cantwell" is actually a Norman-Irish name, not English. It's derived from Comte de Ville, which was a job title, something like a town accountant. I believe the word "comptroller" has the same origin. Anne Marie

CAPPS (English). "Maker/seller of caps."

CARLTON (English). "Farmer's farmstead/village," places in England.

CARMACK (English). From Cormaig (Gaelic), "charioteer".

CARMAN (English). "Male person" (Old Norse).

CARMICHAEL (English). "Fort of Michael," place in Scotland.

CARPENTER (English). "Carpenter," (Old French).

CARR (English). "Marsh, wet ground" (Old Norse), places in England.

CARREY (English). "Pleasant stream".

CARROLL (English). "Brave in fighting" (Irish).

CARSON (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacCarrghanma".

CARTER (English). "Maker/driver of carts."

CARTLEDGE (English). Place in England.

CARVER (English). "Sculptor."

CASE (English). Form of Cass.

CASEY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cathasaigh".

CASH (English). "Maker of boxes".

CAUDLE (English). Form of Caldwell.

CAVANESS (English). "Cav=bald".

CHADWICK (English). "Wick of Saint Chad," places in England.

CHAIN. Form of Chaney.

CHAMBERS (English). "Of the chamber or private attendent of the king".

CHANCE (English). "Inveterate gambler, someone who has survived by good luck".

CHANDLER (English). "Maker or seller of candles, etc.," (Old French).

CHANEY (English). Form of Chesnay.

CHAPMAN (English). "Merchant, trader."

CHARLTON (English). "Place of the free-peasants/villeins," places in England.

CHASE (English). "Hunt," (Old French) for a hunter.

CHASTON (English). "Chestnut tree" (Old French).

CHERITON (English). "Church farm," places in England.

CHESNEY (English). "Oak grove," places in France.

CHESTERFIELD (English). "Open land by a Roman site," place in England.

CHETWOOD (English). "Wood wood" (English + Old English), place in England.

CHILD(S) (English). "Youth awaiting knighthood, page"; or "spring."

CHRISTIAN (English). "Christian" (Latin).

CLANCY (English). (Form of O'Clancy) "Son of Ruddy Warrior" (Irish).

CLARKE (English). "Cleric, clerk, scholar."

CLAY (English). "Place with clay."

CLAYTON (English). "Place in the clay, place with good clay for pottery".

CLEARY (English). "Descendant of the clerk" (Irish).

CLEAVER (English). "Cliff, slope, river bank".

CLEMENTS (English). "Son of Clement ('mild, merciful' in Latin)."

CLIFFORD (English). "Ford at the cliff."

CLIFTON (English). "Place on a cliff".

CLINE (German). From Klein, "small" (German).

COBB (English). Form of Jacob.

COBURN (English). "From a personal name".

COCHRANE (English). "Red brook(?)," place in Scotland.

COCK (English). "Cockerel" or "fatty"; or "red" (Welsh). Could also be "heap, haycock."

COCKWELL (English). "A natural leader, someone who is as proud as a cock"

COE (English). "Jackdaw" (Old Norse/Old English).

COFFEE (English). "Descendant of Victorous" (Irish).

COFFREN (English). "Maker of boxes/chests".

COLBY (English). From Cald-byr (Anglo-Norse), "cold settlement".

COLCLOUGH (English). "Ravine".

COLE (English). Diminuitive of Nicholas; or, "coal-black, swarthy."

COLE (English). "Coal, black, swarthy or top-knot, crown of the head".

COLLIER (English). "Charcoal burner/seller".

COLLINGSWORTH (English). From Kol-Ing-Worth, "dark one's farmstead".

COLLINS (English). In England, double diminuitive of "Nicholas." In Ireland, derived from "O Cullane (=son of Whelp?)."

COLLIS (English). "Son of Coll (coal, black, swarthy or top-knot, crown of the head)".

COLSTON (English). "Charcoal and stone burner/seller".

COMPTON (English). "Short straight valley and enclosure".

CONNELL (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conaill".

CONNERY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Maoilchonaire".

CONNOLLY (English). "Son of Conall, high mighty".

CONNOLLY (English). "Valiant" (Gaelic).

CONVERY (English). "Fierceness" (Gaelic).

CONWAY (English). A town in North Wales.

COOGAN (English). From O'Cuagain (Gaelic), "descendant of the young, awkward one".

COOK(E) (English). "Cook."

COOMBER (English). "Valley in the flank of a hill" or "short valley running up from the sea."

COOPER (English). "Barrel/bucket maker" (Middle English/Germanic/Low Latin).

COPELAND (English). "Bought land."

CORBETT (English). "Black hair" (Old French).

CORMACK (English). "The son of the chariot".

CORNELL (English). An altered form of either Cornwall, Cornwell or Cornhill (all places in England).

COSGRAVE (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacOscar".

COSTELLO (English). "Son of Jocelyn" (Irish).

COTTER (English). "Son of Terrible Army".

COTTERELL (English). Diminuitive of "Cottager" (Old French).

COX (English). Form of Cocks.

CRABTREE (English). "Crab-apple tree" (Middle English).

CRAFTON (English). "Place where wild saffron grows."

CRANSTON (English). "Cran=crane, long legged".

CRAWFORD (English). "Ford with crows," places in Scotland and England.

CRIDDLE (English). "The believer's valley."

CRISP (English). "Curly" (Anglicized Latin).

CRITCHLEY (English). "Dweller at the clearing with a cross.".

CRITTALL (English). "Derived from Crit Hall in Benenden, Kent".

CROCKER (English). "Crockery maker, potter."

CROFT (English). "Arable enclosure adjoining a house".

CROOKHAM (English). "A cripple or a hunchback" or "someone living in the bent of the road".

CROSBY (English). "Village/farm with crosses" (Old Norse), places in England.

CROSS (English). "Living by the market or crossroads"

CROSSMAN (English). "angry man".

CROWL (English). "Curly, winding".

CROWLEY (English). "Wood/clearing with crows."

CROWTHER (English). Player of the crouth, an ancient type of fiddle."

CRUDEN (English). "Of Cru Dane," place in Scotland from which invading Danes were repelled.

CULLEN (English). "Cologne/colony" (Old French/Latin); or, "at the back of the river" (Scots Gaelic).

CULLEN (English) In Scotland & Ireland, "Son of Conn"; in England, "From (town of) Cunningham."

CULLIN (English). "Colony".

CULPEPPER (English). "Pepper culler".

CUMBERLAND (English). "Land of the Britons and Cymry (Welsh)" (Old Welsh).

CUMMING/CUMMIN (English, Scottish, Irish). "Crooked, bent" (Irish); also has roots in Brittany.

CUNNINGHAM (English). "Milk pails", place in England.

CURRIE (English). "Cauldron (for a ravine)," place Scotland (Scots Gaelic).

CURTIS (English). "Courteous, educated, well-bred" (Old French); or, "short hose, stockings, breeches" (Old French, Germanic).

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DABIN (French). ). Diminuitive of Dabb (a diminuitive of Robert).

DACRE (English). "Dropping, trickling stream" (Gaelic), place in England.

DACUS (Latin). a "Dacian", from the Dacians, a warlike people on the lower Danube

DALE (English). "Valley, dale" (Old English, Old Norse).

DALTON (English). "Dale farm," places in England.

DALY (English). From O'Dalaigh (Gaelic), "descendant of the frequenter of assemblies".

DANGERFIELD (English). "Of Angerville" (Old French, Old Norse).

DANIEL(L) (English). "God has judged" (Hebrew).

DARWIN (English). "Dear friend."

DAVID (Universal). Originally "darling," later "friend" (Hebrew), through Old Testament king, or the patron saint of Wales, or one of two Scottish kings.

DAVIDSON (English). "Son of David".

DAVIES (English). "Son of David" - Davies is the typical Welsh spelling.

DAVIS (English). English form of Davies .. "A lullaby word, darling then friendly".

DAWSON (English). "Son of (diminuitive) David."

DAY (English). "Dairymaid/dairyman/kneader." This is not a short form; 'dairy' is actually 'day-ry' (=place of the kneaders)."

DEAN (English). "Valley".

DEANLY (English). "Chief of ten" (Latin).

DELANY (English). "Descendant of black River Slaine (safe)" (Irish); or, "of the alder grove" (Old French).

DELL (English). "Dweller in a dell."

DEMPSEY (English). "Descendant of Proud" (Irish).

DENMAN (English). "Dane-man," for a Dane.

DENTON (English). "Valley place".

DESROSIER (French). "The flowers."

DEVEREUX (English). "Of Evreux (place named after Keltic tribe Eburovices or 'dwellers on the River Ebura')" (Old French).

DEVLIN (English). From O'Dobhailein (Gaelic), "descendant of the valorous and boisterous one".

DEXTER (English). "Dyer." (once referred only to females dyers)

DIAMOND (English). "Unconquerable, hard stone".

DICKERMAN (German). "Ditch digger" or "dyke dweller."

DIEDERICH (German). "Folk rule" (German).

DIXON (English). "Son of Richard."

DONALD (English). "World mighty" (Scots Gaelic).

DONNE (English). "Dull brown, dark, swarthy". Or, in Ireland "Son of Brown".

DONNELLY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Dunghaile".

DONOGHUE (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Donchadha".

DONOVAN (English). For O Donovan -- "descendant of Dark Brown" (Irish).

DORAN (English). "Decendent of Exile/stranger".

DORMER (English). "Sleeper, lazybones" (Old French). DOUGHERTY (English). "Descendant of Obstructive, Stern" (Irish).

DORSETT (English). "Pebbles and dwellers".

DOUGLAS (English). "Black water, dark stream" (Scots Gaelic), places in England and Scotland.

DOYLE (English). "Dark stranger, foreigner" (Irish) - probably applied to a Viking.

DRESCHER (Austria,Germany) "Thresher of wheat" (Germanic).

DRINKWATER (English). "Drink water," said either of those too poor to drink ale, or sarcastically of drunkards, or in reference to diabetes.

DRISCOLL (English). "Descendant of Interpreter" (Irish).

DRUMMOND (English). "Ridge" (Scots Gaelic), places in Scotland.

DRURY (English). "Love affair, love token" (Old French).

DUCKETT (English). "Little duke."

DUFF (English). "Black, dark" (Irish and Scots Gaelic).

DUNCAN (English). "Brown warrior" (Irish and Scots Gaelic).

DUNGAN (English). "Someone who lives on raised land surrounded by marsh" (German).

DUNLOP (English). "Muddy hill" (Scots Gaelic).

DUNN (English). "Brown, dark, swarthy."

DURHAM (English). "Hill peninsula" (Old English + Old Norse).

DURLING (English). Form of Darling.

DUTTON (English). "Enclosure, settlement".

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EAFORD (English). "Ford useable at ebb tide. Places in Cornwall Devon and Hampshire."

EARLEY (English). "Ploughing field"; often corrupted to "Early."

EARNSHAW (English). "Shaw with eagles".

EASON (English). From Esne-sone, "servant's son".

EATON (English). "River/island farm," name of many places in England.

ECCLES (English). "Church" (Old Welsh/Irish, from Latin), name of places in England.

ECCLESTON (English). "Church farm" (Welsh/Irish).

ECKLES (English). "Church".

ED(D)INGTON (English). "Wasteland hill," place in Wiltshire; or "place belonging to Blessed Friend/Blessed Joy," place in Somerset; or "place of the folk of Ida," place in Northumberland.

EDELSTON (English). "Lowest order of free citizen" (German).

EDGELL (English). "Park/pasture clearing".

EDMUND (English). "Prosperity/happiness protector"; Saint Edmund.

EDWARD (English). "Prosperity/ happiness friend".

EDWARDS (English). "Son of Edward".

EFORD (English). "Ford useable at ebb tide. Places in Cornwall Devon and Hampshire."

EFFURD (English). form of EFORD

EGAN (English). Originally McEgan -- "son of Hugh" (Irish).

EGGLESTON (English). "Eggle - from first name Eegel; ston (enclosure)".

EICHHAMMER (Austrian, German). "(User of an) oak hammer."

ELIAS (English). Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah (="Yahweh is God").

ELKINS (English). "Son of (diminuitive) Elias."

ELLIOT (English). "Noble war" or "mound, back".

ELLZEY (German). From Elzee, Germany.

ELMORE (English). "River-bank with elms," place in England.

ELSTON (English). "Everlasting enclosure", "old stone" or "temple stone".

ELSWORTH (English). "Elli=a place in Cambridgeshire; worth=enclosure".

ELY (English). "Eel district," place in England.

EMERSON (English). "Son of Emery"

EMERY (English). "Work rule" (German).

EMMETT (English). "Whole/universal" (Germanic).

ENGLAND (English). "From the country of the Angles," who came from an angle-shaped area of Holstein.

ENGLE (German). From Engilo (Germanic), "young hero".

ENOCH (English). From Hhanakh (Hebrew), "dedicated one".

EPPERSON (English). Derived from Epps.

EPHARD (English). form of EFORD

EPHART (English). form of EFORD

EPPS (English). "Son of the wild boar."

ERWIN (English). "Wild boar friend."

ESSIG (English). "Vinegar".

EVANS (English). "Son of Evan."

EVERSON (English). "Son of Ever."

EVERTON (English). "Wild-boar place," name of places in England.

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FABER (English). "Smith" (Latin).

FAIRBANKS (English). "Lovely hillside" (Old English and Old Norse).

FAIRCHILD (English). "Pretty/handsome child."

FAIRCLOTH (English). "Pretty ravine".

FANE (English). "Glad, eager."

FARLEY (English). "A clearing with ferns," name of places in England.

FARMER (English). "Tax-collector, bailiff" (Old French).

FARR (English). "Bull" (Old English).

FARRELLY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Fearceallaighe".

FARTHING (English). ). "Farthing," for amount of rent payment or a ). meaning "foreign traveller" (Old Norse).

FEATHERSTON (English). "Four stone, three uprights and a capstone".

FELTNER (English). "Maker of felt."

FELTON (English). "Place in a field," places in England.

FERGUS (English). "Man choice" (Irish and Scots Gaelic).

FIELDING (English). "Field-dweller."

FINCH (English). "Finch," as in "to swindle a simpleton".

FINDLEY (English). Form of Finlay.

FINKEL (German). "Finch" (German).

FINKLEY. Form of Finkel.

FINLAY (English). "Fair hero" (Scots Gaelic).

FINN (English). "Descendant of White" (Irish); or, "the Finn" (Old Norse).

FINNEGAN (English). "Descendant of Fairheaded" (Irish).

FISCHER (English). "Fisherman".

FISHBOURNE (English). "Fish stream," name of places in England.

FITZGERALD (English). "(Illegitimate) son of Gerald."

FITZJOHN (English). "(Illegitimate) son of John."

FITZROY (English). "Illegitimate son of the King" (Old French). Note that illegitimacy is assured in this case.

FLAHERTY (English). "Descendant of Bright Ruler" (Irish).

FLANAGAN (English). "Descendant of Ruddy" (Irish).

FLANDERS (English). "Flanders (submerged land), Netherlands" (Old French).

FLANNAGAN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MagFlannagain".

FLANNERY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Flannabhra".

FLEISCHER (German). "Butcher" (Germanic).

FLEMING (English). "Of Flanders (=submerged land), Netherlands" (Old French).

FLESHER (English). "Butcher."

FLETCHER (English). "Arrow-maker, arrow-seller" (Old French).

FLOWER (English). "Arrow-maker" or, "maker of flour"; or, "flower" meaning delicate, smooth, fragrant.

FLOYD (English). Form of Lloyd.

FLYNN (English). "Descendant of Ruddy" (Irish).

FORBES (English). "Field, district" (Scots Gaelic), place in Scotland.

FORSYTH (English). From Fothir (Gaelic), "woodland dweller".

FOSTER (English). "Foster-child/foster-parent"; or "forester", or "shearer/scissors maker" (from Old French forceter).

FOWLER (English). "Bird catcher."

FOX (English). "Fox hunter".

FRAMPTON (English). "Place on the river Frome" (Old Welsh, Old English).

FRANCIS (English). "A Frank or a Frenchman".

FRANKLIN (English). "Free citizen, gentleman" (Old French).

FREELOVE (English). ). "Peace survivor."

FREEMAN (English). "Freeborn man."

FRENCH (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Fraechain".

FROST (English). "White-haired, white-bearded," or "cold personality."

FRY (English). "Freeborn" or "Noble, generous".

FULCHER (German). "People + army" (Germanic).

FULLER (English). "Cloth compacter," (Latin).

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GABRIEL (Universal). "God is a strong man" (Hebrew); Archangel.

GAGE (French). From Gage, "a pledge (a man who had pledged himself as a substitute for another in combat or judicial matters)".

GALBRAITH (English). "Stranger Briton, Welshman who settles among the Scots Gaels".

GALLAGHER (English). "Descendant of Foreign Help" (Irish).

GANT (English). "Ghent, the Belgian city" or ). "gaunt, lean, haggard".

GARDNER (English). "Gardener" (Old French).

GARLAND (English). From Gaer-land, "spearman's property".

GARNER (English). "Granary-keeper"; or, shortened form of GARDNER.

GARNETT (English). "Hinge or pomegranate".

GARREN (English). "Someone with a mustache".

GARRETT (English). Diminuitive of Gerald.

GARRISON (English, Dutch). "Son of Garrett", or "from the garrison."

GARRY (English). Diminuitive of Gerald.

GARTH (English). "Enclosure, garden, paddock" (Old Norse).

GARVEY (English). "Rough, cruel and ill fortune" (Irish).

GATES (English). ). "Gates."

GAVINS (English). "Hawk of the plain" (Scottish).

GAY (English). "Gay, cheerful."

GAYER (German). "Vulture" (Germanic).

GAYNOR (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacFinnbhair".

GEOFFREY (English). First element may mean "district" or "traveller"; second element "peace" (Franco-Germanic).

GEORGE (English). "Farmer" (Greek), often through the patron saint of England.

GEORGESON (English). "Son of a farmer".

GERALD (English). "Spear ruler" (Germanic).

GERMAN (English). "German." The term 'German' is a Celtic word meaning either "neighbour" or "battle-cry."

GIBBONS (English). "Son of Gilbert (pledge/hostage bright)".

GIBSON (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Gaoithin".

GILBERT (English). "Pledge/hostage bright" (Germanic).

GILL (Belgian, English, French). "Servant, devotee" (Scots Gaelic and Old Norse).

GILLAM (English). English re-spelling of the French name Guilluame.

GILLESPIE (English). "Bishop's servant".

GILLETT (English). Diminuitive of Gilbert.

GILSON (Belgian, English, French). "Son of Gill."

GO(U)LDING (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacUlahairg".

GODWIN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacGuiggan".

GOERTZEN (German). "Spear + strong" (Germanic).

GOFF (English). "Red headed" (Welsh).

GOFF (English). "Smith" (Old Welsh, Breton, Irish).

GOLD (English). "Fair-haired", or "rich."

GOLDTHORPE (English). "Of gold(en) village."

GOOCH (English). "Good price, bargain".

GOODMAN (English). "Master of the house, landowner".

GOODSON (English). "Dutiful son".

GORDON (English). "Pasture land" or "great hill" (Scots Gaelic).

GORE (English). "Triangular plot of land," places in England.

GORMAN (English) For O Gorman - "descendant of Blue" (Irish).

GORMAN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Gormog".

GOUGH (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cuaghain".

GOULD (English). Commoner form of Gold.

GRAHAM (English). "Homestead of Granta" or "Gravelly homestead."

GRAVES (English). "Steward, manager of property".

GREEN(E) (English). "Village green"; or "immature, inexperienced."

GREENWALT (German). "Green wood" (German).

GREER (English). "Gregory" (Scottish).

GREGORY (English). "Watchful" (Greek), name of three saints.

GREGSON (English). "Son of (diminuitive) Gregory."

GRIFFIN (English). Diminuitive of Griffith.

GRIFFITH (English). From Middle Welsh Gruffudd; udd means lord.

GRIM (English, German). From Grimm, "fierce one"; or grimmr (Old Norse), "helmeted one".

GROOM (English). "Servant, attendant, farm-worker" (Middle English).

GROOMS (English). "Son of Groom."

GRUBB (English). From Grob (Germanic), "rough one".

GRUBBS (German). "Hollow pit, mountain cove" (Germanic).

GUNN (English). "War, battle" (Old Norse); or, form of the Norse name "Gunnhildr (=battle battle)."

GUTHRIE (English). From Gaothaire (Gaelic), "from the city of Guthrie ("windy place"), Scotland".

GWINN (English). "White-haired/white-faced," Welsh. Common in Ireland

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HACKER (English). "Woodcutter, maker of hacks/hoes/mattocks/picks/bills" (Middle English, Germanic).

HADDON (English). "Heathery hill".

HADLEY (English). "Heathery clearing," places in England.

HAGEN (English). "Decendant of Young Hugh" (Irish).

HAGER (German). "Dweller in an enclosure" (Germanic).

HAILEY (English). "Hay clearing," places in England.

HALE (English). "(at) the Haugh (=nook, retreat)"; name of places in England.

HALIFAX (English). "Holy (ie. church-owned) flax(field)."

HALL (English). "Hall, manor-house"; or, "boulder, slope" (Old Norse).

HALLETT (English). "Noble hand" (German).

HALLEY (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Ailche".

HALLIDAY (English). "Birth/baptism on a holy day, or a religious festival" (Scottish).

HALSTEAD (English). "Stronghold site."

HALTON (English). "Place in a haugh (=nook, retreat)"; name of places in England.

HAMILTON (English). Name of places in England, derived from "maimed, cut off" and "hill, place, farm" (Old English).

HAMMAN (German). "Well-dressed one" (German).

HAMPTON (English). "Homestead farm."

HANCOCK (English). "Jest on John, Henry or Randolph".

HANDLEY (English). "At the high wood clearing".

HANLEY (English). ). "At the high clearing."

HANLEY (English). Form of Handley.

HANSEN (English). "Son of Hans".

HANSFORD (English). "Ford where there were cocks".

HANSON (English). "Son of Hann," or "son of Hand (=assistant in any of a wide variety of enterprises)." Or may be a form of Hansson.

HANSSON (Scandinavian). "Son of Hans" (short for Johannes).

HARDEN (English). "Grey-stone/hare valley."

HARDING (English). "Brave man, warrior, hero."

HARLAND (English). ). "Land infested with hares."

HARLEY (English). ). "Hare clearing."

HARMON (English). "Army man, warrior" (Old French from Germanic).

HARPER (English). "Harp maker, harp player."

HARRIS (English). "Son of Harry."

HARRIS (English). "Son of Harry".

HARRISON (English). "Son of Harry."

HART (English). "Hart, stag."

HARTCLIFF (English). "Cliff with stags."

HARTLEY (English). "Clearing/wood with stags."

HARTZELL (German). "Stag" (Germanic).

HARVEY (English). "Battle/carnage worthy" (Breton).

HASS (German). "Hare" (German).

HASSETT (English). "Brave person" or "a fool ready to take risks".

HASTINGS (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Uisgin".

HATCH (English). "Forest-gate, flood-gate," places in England.

HAUGHION (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Eochagain".

HAWK(E) (English). "Hawk," whether from rapacity or keeping hawks.

HAWKER (English). Form of Hawk.

HAYDON (English). "Heather-grown hill", or "hay hill/valley," places in England.

HEALY (English). "Decedent of Claimant/ Ingenious" (Irish).

HEANAGHAN (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Eidhneachain".

HEDGEPATH (English). "Path protected by hedges."

HEDRICK (German). "Combatant ruler" or "heathen rule" (Germanic).

HELWICK (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Oilmhec".

HENDERSON (English). "Son of Henry."

HENLEY (English). "At the high wood or clearing".

HENRY (English). "Home rule" (German).

HENRY (English, French). "Home rule" (Germanic normanized).

HENSON (English). "Son of Henry."

HERBERT (English). Became popular in the 12th and 13th centuries after the canonization of Saint Heribert, who was the Bishop of Cologne in 1000AD and was written about by Chaucer.

HERD (English). "Herdsman."

HERMAN(N) (German). "Army warrior" (Germanic).

HERRING (English). "Herring-fisher, herring-seller."

HEWAT (English). Diminuitive of "Hugh."

HEWITT (English). Diminuitive of "Hugh."

HICK (English). Diminuitive of "Richard".

HICKEY (English). "Descendant of Healer/Physican".

HIGGIN (English). "Descendant of Viking" (Irish).

HIGGINSON (English). "Son of Richard" (see Hick); or in Ireland, "son of Higgin."

HIGHTOWER (English). "Dweller near a high tower."

HILL (English). "Hill"; corruption of German "Hild (=battle)."

HILLARD (English). "Battle, strife + fortress, stronghold" (Norman).

HINTON (English). "At the high place/farm".

HITCHCOCK (English). "Hitch" + cock (=son of).

HOAG(UE) (English). "Height or bluff."

HOBBS (English). "Son of Robert."

HOBSON (English). "Son of Robert."

HODGE (English). Diminuitive of Roger.

HOLCOMB(E) (English). "Hollow, deep valley".

HOLDEN (English). "Hollow/deep valley," name of places in England.

HOLLENBACH (German). From one of several towns called Hollenbach in Bavaria, Germany.

HOLLINGWORTH (English). "Worth in the hollies".

HOLLOWAY. Form of Holway.

HOLWAY (English). "Hollow (sunken? artificially cut?) road."

HOOPER (English). ). "One who fits hoops on barrels."

HORNBECK (German). "Brook near peak" or "swamp brook" (German).

HORTON (English). "Muddy place".

HOSKINS (English). "Mercy, peace + power".

HOUSE (English). "House, religious establishment," or, form of Howes.

HOWARD (English). "Heart/mind brave" (Germanic) or "Chief warden" (Germanic).

HOWE (English). "Hill, burial-mound" (Old Norse), places in England.

HOWELL (English). "Eminent" (Welsh), after a Welsh king.

HUBBARD (English). Form of Hubert.

HUBERT (English). "Heart/mind bright" (Germanic), often after Saint Hubert.

HUCKABY (English). "Abode by water".

HUDDLESTON (English). "Hudel + enclosure".

HUFFMAN (German). "Cultivator of one hind of land" (Germanic).

HUGH (English). "Heart/mind" (Germanic), often after Saint Hugh.

HUGHES (English). "Son of Hugh."

HUMPHRIES (English). "Giant peace" (German).

HUNT (English). "Hunter."

HUTTON (English). "Place in an enclosure".

HYNES (English). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Eidhin".

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