Famous Last Names

The world's most recognizable surnames — their meanings, origins, and famous bearers.

822 surnames found Page 4 of 17

Goodman

Status nickname surname meaning good man or householder.

English

Akhtar

Derived from a personal name meaning star, used widely in South Asia as a sur...

South asian

Johnston

Locational surname from John’s town or related Scottish place names.

Scottish

Sato

Very common Japanese surname, historically linked to clan and office associat...

Japanese

Ali

Derived from the Arabic personal name meaning exalted or noble.

Arabic

Ancient Chinese surname tied to old states and noble lines.

Chinese

Meier

Variant of Meyer, status surname linked to stewardship or farming.

German

Harris

Usually a patronymic meaning son of Harry.

English

Oconnor

Anglicized form of Ó Conchobhair.

Irish

Muller

Occupational surname meaning miller.

German

Grady

Anglicized form of Ó Grádaigh.

Irish

Melendez

Patronymic surname meaning son of Melendo.

Spanish

Alam

Name meaning world or banner in Arabic and Persian usage, also used as a surn...

South asian

Clark

Occupational surname for a clerk or scribe.

English

Lewis

Derived from the given name Lewis, from Germanic or Frankish roots.

English

Dean

Occupational or topographic surname linked to a dean or valley.

English

Robinson

Patronymic surname meaning son of Robin.

English

Suzuki

Historic Japanese surname often interpreted as bell tree in common readings.

Japanese

Joseph

Derived from the biblical personal name Joseph.

Jewish

Odonnell

Anglicized form of Ó Domhnaill.

Irish

Buchanan

Locational surname from Stirlingshire, Scotland.

Scottish

Lucas

Derived from the personal name Lucas or Luke.

Spanish

Rajan

Derived from a word meaning king, used as surname and personal name.

Indian

Rana

Title-derived surname associated with rulership or warrior lineages.

South asian

Schmidt

Occupational surname meaning smith.

German

Albert

Derived from the personal name Albert, meaning noble and bright.

Germanic

Grant

Historic surname, sometimes linked to tallness or a territorial family line.

Scottish

Torres

Topographic surname meaning towers.

Spanish

King

Nickname surname that may have referred to someone regal, a pageant role, or ...

English

Wright

Occupational surname meaning craftsman or maker.

English

Decker

Occupational surname for a roofer or layer of coverings.

German

Rossi

Nickname surname meaning red-haired.

Italian

Walker

Occupational surname for a fuller of cloth, later associated with one who walks.

English

Ahmed

Derived from the Arabic personal name Ahmad, meaning most praised.

Arabic

Ogilvie

Historic Scottish surname from Angus territory.

Scottish

Joyce

Norman-Irish surname that became established in western Ireland.

Irish

Silva

Topographic surname meaning woodland or forest.

Portuguese

Buckley

Anglicized Irish surname from Ó Buachalla, often linked to herdsman roots.

Irish

Luna

Locational or poetic surname meaning moon.

Spanish

Allen

Derived from a given name meaning handsome or cheerful in older Celtic usage.

Scottish

Graves

Topographic or occupational surname with several medieval origins.

English

Juarez

Patronymic surname related to Suárez or historic Iberian family lines dependi...

Spanish

Ojeda

Locational surname from Iberian place roots.

Spanish

Lund

Topographic surname meaning grove.

Scandinavian

Delgado

Nickname surname meaning slender or thin.

Spanish

Burke

Norman surname introduced to Ireland, derived from borough or fortified place.

Irish

Alemu

Ethiopian surname and personal-name element used in Amharic naming traditions.

Ethiopian

Mercado

Topographic or occupational surname linked to a market.

Spanish

Young

Descriptive surname used to distinguish a younger family member.

English

Flores

Surname linked to flowers or possibly derived from the personal name Floro.

Spanish

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Famous surnames through history

From royal dynasties to modern celebrities, famous last names carry centuries of legacy and cultural significance.