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).
B back to top
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).
C back to top
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).
D back to top
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.
F back to top
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
H back to top
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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