 |
Patronymic Names -
Names based on the first name of the ancestor's father.
|
 |
Locality Names - Names
recording localities or places where ancestors originated. |
 |
Occupation Names -
Names reflecting the occupation or status of the ancestor.
|
 |
Description Names
- Nicknames describing the ancestor's face, figure,
temper, morals, or habits. |
| A | B
| C | D | E
| F | G
| H | I
| J | K
| L | M
| N | O
| P | Q
| R | S
| T | U
| V | W
| X | Y
| Z |
A
ABDELMASEH (British). "Father of Maseh (=land surveyor)".
ABRAMS (British). (Hebrew) "Father of a multitude".
ACEVEDO (Spanish). "Worker in a plantation of holly trees" (Spanish).
ACKERMAN (British). "Farmer (literally plot man)."
ACKROYD (British). "Dweller in the oak forest".
ADAMS (British). "Son of Adam (='red' in Hebrew)."
ADLAM (British). "Noble helmet" (Germanic).
ADRAIN (British).
"At the drain."
AHERN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Echtighearn".
AHLMAN (British). (German) "Slippery person or eel fisher".
ALAN (British). Commonly derived from the term for a member of a nomadic Scythian
tribe; in Scotland, derived from ail or stone.
ALBERT (British). "Noble bright" (Germanic).
ALDEN (British). "Old friend."
ALEXANDER (British, others). "Defender of men" (Greek); often through the two Scottish kings.
ALGER (German).
From Adal-gar, "noble spearman".
ALLARD (British;French)
From Alah-hard (Germanic), "sacred or divine one".
ALLEN (British).
"Member of a nomadic Scythian tribe".
ALLY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'h-Ailche".
ALNOR (British). "One who tests the strength of cloth."
ALTHERR (German). "Old lord" (German).
ALVAREZ (Spanish). "Son of Alvar (=prudent)" (Spanish).
ALVEY (British). "Elf war."
AMBROSE (British). "Immortal" (Greek).
AMMON (British). "Awe/terror protector" (Germanic).
AMMONS (British). "Son of Ammon."
AMOS (British). "Carried" (Hebrew); a corruption of Amis.
ANDERSON (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacAindris".
ANDERSON (British). "Son of Andrew."
ANDREW (British). "Manly" (Greek); through Saint Andrew.
ANDREWS (British). "Manly Greek," the first-called disciple.
ANDREWS (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacAindris".
ANTLEY (British). "Short road formed at both ends".
APPLEBY (British).
"Apple farm" (Old English, Old Norse), places in England.
APPLETON (British).
"Apple farm," places in England.
AQUINO (Portuguese). "Of Italian origin" (Portuguese).
ARCHER (British). "Bowman" (Old French), either for profession or skill.
ARENDELL (British). "Dwelling place".
ARGYLE (British). Possibly
"from Argyle"; or,
"in the service of the Earl of Argyle." Meaning of Argyle
not known.
ARIS (British).
"From the city of Arras."
ARMBRISTER (German)
"Crossbow" (Germanic).
ARMITAGE (British).
"Hermitage" (Old French), place in England.
ARMSTRONG (British). "Strong in the arm."
ARNOLD (British).
"Eagle power" (Germanic), places in England.
ARTHUR (British).
"Bear-guardian" (Greek); through the historical figure.
ASA (Hebrew). From Asa, "physician".
ASHBROOK (British).
"Eastern brook," place in England.
ASHCROFT (British).
"Croft in the ash trees", place in England.
ASHER (British). From Aescere, "dweller by a landmark ashtree".
ASHLEY (British).
"Ash-tree wood/glade/clearing," places in England.
ATKIN (British). Double-diminuitive of Adam.
ATKINS (British). "Son of Atkin."
ATKINSON (British). "Son of Adam (=red)".
ATTWOOD (British).
"At the wood."
AUFDERHEIDE (German). "On the meadow or heath" (Germanic).
AUGUSTIN(E) (British). Diminuitive of "Augustus" (=venerable, consecrated in Latin);
through the two saints.
AUSTIN (British). Form of Augustin.
AVERY (British). Form of Alfred (which the Normans found
hard to pronounce).
AVILA (Spanish)
"To watch, be viglant" or "capable, intelligent".
AYER (British). "Heir" (Old French).
AYKROYD (British). Form of Ackroyd.
Back to Top
B
BACCUS (British). "Bakehouse".
BACHMEIER (German). "Brook farmer" (German).
BAGWELL (British).
"Of Bagga's spring."
BAILEY (British). "Bailiff, crown official or keeper of a royal building".
BAIN (British). 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".
BALDWIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Mulligan".
BALL (British). "Ball," as in 'as fat as a', or "bald" (literally balled;
a ball being a bare patch); or "Balle" (Old Norse).
BANAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Banain".
BANFF (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacanBhainbh".
BANNON (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Banain".
BARKHOUSE (British). Form of Berghaus.
BARNES (British).
"Of the barn (originally 'barley house')."
BARNETT (British)
"Commerce,chaffering" or "trouble or fraud".
BARNEY (British).
"Barley/barn island," places in England.
BARRASS (German).
Possibly a form of the New Testament name "Barabass."
BARRINGTON (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Barrain".
BARTGEN (German). "Barte=butcher or butcher's axe" (Germanic).
BARTHOLOMEW (British). "Son of Talmai (='abounding in furrows')" (Hebrew).
BARTON (British). "Barley farm or farmyard".
BASTENDORF (German).
"(Saint?) Sebastian's town" (Germanic).
BATES (British). Son of diminuitive of "Bartholomew"; or "boat(man)" with a Northern accent; or "profit, gain" (Old Norse).
BATESON (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacPartholain".
BAUER (British). "Farmer or peasant".
BAUGHMAN (German). "Brook, dweller on a brook" (Germanic).
BAUSTERT (German). "Bastard."
BEAL (British)
"Handsome man".
BEALE (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Baetheghaile".
BEASLEY (British).
"Bent grass, wood clearing". BEATY (British). "Having many furrows, rich in land".
BECK (German).
"Brook" (Germanic).
BECKERDITE (German). "Becker=baker" (Germanic).
BECKETT (British). "Little mouth/beak" (Old French), or
"Bee cottage (hive)," place in England.
BECKHAM (British).
"Stream farm" (Old Norse + Old English).
BEDFORD (British). "Bede's ford".
BEERS (British). ).
"Swine pasture" or "barley field."
BEEVER (British). "Place with a nice view".
BEIBER (German). Form of Bieber.
BEICH (German).
"Slope (dweller)" (German).
BEICK (German). Form of Beich.
BEIKE (German). Form of Beich.
BELBECK, BULBECK (British). "Of the court or by the stream".
BELL (British). "Residence by the town bell".
BELL (British). "Beautiful, handsome" (Old French); or "Bell-ringer"; or diminuitive of Isabell.
BELLAM (British)
"Handsome man".
BELLEW (British).
(Normanic) "Lovely water".
BELZ (German).
"Pelt, hide worker" (Germanic). BENDER (British, German).
In Britain, "Archer," from the bending of the bow; in Germany,
"battle flag-bearing warrior" (Germanic).
BENEDICT (British). "Blessed" (Latin), often through the saint.
BENNETT (British). (Latin) "Blessed, from Benedict".
BENNINGTON (British). "Derivative of St. Benedict".
BENTON (British).
"Place in the bent grass" or "bean farm," places in England.
BERGHAUS (German).
"Town house" (Germanic).
BERGIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Aimirgin".
BERNARD (British). "Bear brave" or "warrior brave" (Germanic).
BERRY (British). Form of Bury.
BERWICK (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Ciarmhaic".
BETHEL (British). "Son of (Welsh ap) Ithel", or diminuitive of "Elizabeth."
BETTS (British, 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 (British).
"By spring or stream in a shallow valley."
BIEBER (German). "Beaver" (German), for industriousness.
BIGGAR (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Bearga".
BIGGS (British).
"Son of Bigg (=big, strong)."
BIGNALL (British).
Place in England.
BILLING (British).
"Son of Bill."
BILTON (British).
"Bill's town."
BINGLEY (British). "Clearing with a hollow".
BIRDWELL. Possibly a form of Biddwell.
BIRKBECK (British).
"Stream in the birches" (Old Norse), place in England.
BISCHOFF (German).
"Bishop" (Germanic).
BISHOP (British). "Bishop" - hopefully for one who worked in the house of a celebate
bishop.
BISS (British). "Fine linen" (Greek through Old French), or "dull/brownish grey"
(Old French).
BISSETT. Possibly a form of Biss.
BLACK (British). "Black haired, dark complexioned."
BLACKADDER (British).
"Black, swift stream."
BLACKBURN (British). "Black stream".
BLAIR (British). From Blar (Gaelic), "plain or field".
BLAKE (British). "Pale"; or, an altered pronounciation of "Black."
BLAKEY (British)
"Black haired".
BLANCHARD (French, British). "White," (Old French).
BLANKINSHIP (British).
"Hope," or first eight letters may be an owner's name in
the genitive (Welsh).
BLENCOW (British). Form of Blencowe.
BLENCOWE (British).
"Top of the hill" (Welsh).
BLIGH (British). Form of Blythe; or,
"starer" (Old Norse).
BLIGHE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Blighe".
BLYTH(E) (British). "Cheerful, gentle"; or,
"land of gentle/pleasant streams," places in England.
BODEMAN (German). "Adherent of the royal messenger" (German).
BODEN (German). Form of Bodeman.
BODEN (German, Dutch). "Bold friend" (Flemish).
BOGGS (British). ).
"Bog" (Irish).
BOHAM (British). Possibly a form of Bonham.
BOLAND (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Beollain".
BOLDTHAUS (German).
"House of the bold one" (Germanic).
BOLTINGHOUSE. Anglicized form of Boldthaus.
BOLTON (British). "Place with houses/huts, center of a village," places in England.
BONDS (British). ). "Peasant, serf."
BONHAM (British). "Good man" (Old French).
BONIFACE (British). "Good fate" (Latin); through saints and popes of the same name.
BONNER (British)
"Gentle, gracious, courteous".
BOOTH (British). "Hut, shed, shelter" (Old Norse).
BOREN (British).
From O'Bodhrain (Gaelic), "Descendant of the deaf one" BORISOV
(Russian).
"Son of Boris."
BOSCH (German). "Bush, brush, branch" (Germanic).
BOSCH (Spanish). "Forest, woodland, grove, thicket".
BOSTON (British). "(Saint) Botulf's stone," place in England.
BOUCHER (British). "Butcher" (Old French).
BOURNS (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacConboirne".
BOWDEN (British). Many places are called Bowden, "Curved hill" or "above the hill".
BOWEN (British). "Son of Owen."
BOWES (British). "Son of Bow (='arch, vault')."
BOWIE (British). "Yellow-haired" (Scots Gaelic).
BOWLES (British)
).
"Heavy drinker" or "maker/seller of bowls".
BOWMAN (British).
"Bowman, archer."
BOWSER (German)
"Bolster" (Germanic).
BOYCE (British).
"Wood" (Old French); or from a Germanic name meaning "boy,
servant."
BOYD (British).
"Yellow-haired" (Scots Gaelic).
BOYLE (British).
"Descendant of Having Profitable Pledges" (Irish).
BRABAZON (British).
"Man from Brabant (=wooded territory)" (Old French). This
name is associated with 13th-century French thugs.
BRACKEEN (British).
"Bracken (=a swampy area)."
BRADBURY (British). "Fort made of boards/planks".
BRADFORD (British). "Broad ford," places in England.
BRADLEY (British). "Broad clearing," name of many places in England.
BRADNER (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Bruadair".
BRADSHAW (British). Places in England.
BRAGG (British). "Proud arrogant;brisk, brave" (Celtic).
BRAHAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Brachain".
BRANDON (British). ). "Hill covered with broom."
BRANDT (German). "Living in an area cleared by a fire" (German).
BRATTON (British). "Newly cultivated (broken-up) farm," places in England.
BRAY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Breadhdha".
BREEDLOVE (British). From Braed-hloew, "broad hill".
BREEN (British). Originally O Breen - "Descendant of Sorrowful."
BRENT (British). "High place" (Celtic); or, "steep" (Old English).
BRESLIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Brislain".
BRETTIN (German).
"Brett=pretzel maker or board" (Germanic).
BREWER (British). "Brewer."
BREWSTER (British).
"Brewer".
BREWSTER (British). "Brewer, especially a female brewer."
BRICKIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacGilliBriein".
BRIEN (British). ). For O Brien - "son of 'hill'-something" (Irish).
BRIGHAM (British). "Homestead by a bridge" (Old English scandinavized), places in
England.
BRIGHT (British)
"Bright, handsome".
BRIN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Birn".
BRINE (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Brien".
BRINKMAN (British)
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 (British).
"Break-bone."
BRIUN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Beirne".
BROCK (British).
"Badger," for foul-smelling; or,
"young stag" (Old French); or
from "brook/rivermeadow."
BRODER(ICK) (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Bruadair".
BRODY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Broduibh".
BROGAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Brogain".
BROGHIE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Breithe".
BROOK (British). "Brook."
BROOKS (British). Has as many origins as there are streams.
BROTHERS (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Bruadair".
BROTHERS. (British). "Son of Brother" (Old Norse); or "son of a kinsman."
BROWN (British)
"Brown haired/skinned".
BROWN(E) (British). "Brown-haired, brown-skinned" (Old English, Old French).
BROWNING (British).
Diminuitive of "Brown."
BROWNSMITH (British).
"Copper/brass smith."
BRUCE (British).
Originally from a place in Normandy.
BRUGH (German). Comes from Brucke, meaning "bridge" (German).
BRYANT (British). "A parasitic dental as in Hammond and varmint" (Celtic).
BUCHAN (British). "Calf and little hut" (Scots Gaelic).
BUCKET(T) (British). Form of Duckett.
BUCKMAN (British).
"Goat/stag keeper".
BUDGE (British)
"Person with a large mouth or someone who talks too much".
BUEHLER (German).
"Scrub covered marsh" (Germanic).
BULLOCK (British).
"Bullock (castrated bull)."
BUNCH (British)
From Bun, "ready and alert one".
BURCHETT (British).
"Dweller by the birch grove or fort hardy".
BURDICK (British) "Girl, maiden".
BURGESS (British).
"Citizen, freeman" (Old French; same root as bourgeois).
BURLESON (British).
"Son of a butler".
BURNS (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conboirne".
BURROWS (British).
"Of the fort/manor".
BURT (British). "Bright, handsome."
BURTON (British). "Manor house enclosure" or "fortified farm".
BURY (British). "(At the) fort/manor."
BUSBY (British). "Small farm with bushes on it" (Old Norse), place in England.
BUSHFIELD (British). "Field of bushes."
BUSSEY (British) "Talkitive person or a gossiper" (Italian).
BUTTERY (British) "Someone with a booming voice".
BUTTON (British).
"Button maker".
Back to Top
C
CACERAS (Spanish). `
Place founded by Quinto Cecilio Metelo.
CAIN(E) (British).
"Caen (=field of combat)" (Gaulish); or,
"Beautiful" (Welsh), possibly after St. Keyne; or,
"Son of warrior" (Manx).
CALDWELL (British). "Cold spring/stream," places in England.
CALLAGHAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Ceallachain".
CAMDEN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Camdhain".
CAMERON (British). "Crooked nose" (Scots Gaelic).
CAMPBELL (British). "Crooked mouth" (Scots Gaelic).
CANADA (Native American, British). ). "place of gathering"; or from Cinneide (Gaelic), "son of the
helmeted one".
CANNING (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacConin".
CANNON (British). "Canon, member of the communal house of clergy" (Old French).
CANTWELL (British). "Cant=unidentified place; well=stream".
CAPPS (British). "Maker/seller of caps."
CAREY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Ciardha".
CARLTON (British). "Farmer's farmstead/village," places in England.
CARMACK (British).
From Cormaig (Gaelic), "charioteer".
CARMAN (British). "Male person" (Old Norse).
CARMICHAEL (British). "Fort of Michael," place in Scotland.
CARPENTER (British). "Carpenter," (Old French).
CARR (British). "Marsh, wet ground" (Old Norse), places in England.
CARREY (British). "Pleasant stream".
CARROLL (British). "Brave in fighting" (Irish).
CARSON (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacCarrghanma".
CARTER (British). "Maker/driver of carts."
CARTLEDGE (British). Place in England.
CARVER (British). "Sculptor."
CASE (British). Form of Cass.
CASEY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cathasaigh".
CASH (British).
"Maker of boxes".
CASH (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacGillaChaise".
CATLEY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Gathlaoich".
CATTON (British). "Wild cats' valley".
CAUDLE (British). Form of Caldwell.
CAVANESS (British)
"Cav=bald".
CAYLEY (British). `
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Caolloaidhe".
CERVENY (Czech).
"Red," for hair or skin (Czech).
CHADWICK (British).
"Wick of Saint Chad," places in England.
CHAIN. Form of Chaney.
CHAMBERS (British).
"Of the chamber or private attendent of the king".CHANCE
(British)
"Inveterate gambler, someone who has survived by good luck".
CHANDLER (British).
"Maker or seller of candles, etc.," (Old French).
CHANEY (British). Form of Chesnay.
CHAPMAN (British).
"Merchant, trader."
CHARLTON (British).
"Place of the free-peasants/villeins," places in England.
CHASE (British). "Hunt," (Old French) for a hunter.
CHASTON (British). "Chestnut tree" (Old French).
CHERITON (British). "Church farm," places in England.
CHESNEY (British). "Oak grove," places in France.
CHESTERFIELD (British). "Open land by a Roman site," place in England.
CHETTLE (British). "Deep valley locked in hills (literally kettle, cauldron)."
CHETWOOD (British). "Wood wood" (British + Old English), place in England.
CHILD (British). "Youth awaiting knighthood, page"; or "spring."
CHRISTIAN (British). "Christian" (Latin).
CLANCY (British). (Form of O'Clancy) "Son of Ruddy Warrior" (Irish).
CLARKE (British). "Cleric, clerk, scholar."
CLAY (British). "Place with clay."
CLAYTON (British). "Place in the clay, place with good clay for pottery".
CLEARY (British).
"Descendant of the clerk" (Irish).
CLEAVER (British). "Cliff, slope, river bank".
CLEGHORN (British)
From Claeg-horn, "clay horn".
CLEMENTS (British).
"Son of Clement ('mild, merciful' in Latin)."
CLEWES (British).
"At the clough (=ravine, deep valley)."
CLEWLY (British). Form of Clewes.
CLIFFORD (British).
"Ford at the cliff."
CLIFTON (British).
"Place on a cliff".
CLINE (German). From Klein, "small" (German).
CLOOS (German). Form of Nicholas.
CLOSKY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacBlosky".
COAD (British).
"Cobbler" or "cobbler's wax".
COALMAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Clumain".
COBB (British). Form of Jacob.
COBURN (British). "From a personal name".
COCHRANE (British). "Red brook(?)," place in Scotland.
COCK (British). "Cockerel" or "fatty"; or "red" (Welsh). Could also be "heap, haycock."
COCKANE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacCiochain".
COCKS (British). Son of Cock.
COCKWELL (British) "A natural leader, someone who is as proud as a cock, or a fat
and lumpy man".
COE (British).
"Jackdaw" (Old Norse/Old English).
COFFEE (British).
"Descendant of Victorous" (Irish).
COFFEY (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Chobhthaigh".
COFFREN (British).
"Maker of boxes/chests".
COHEN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Caomhain".
COLBY (British).
From Cald-byr (Anglo-Norse), "cold settlement".
COLCLOUGH (British). "Ravine".
COLE (British). Diminuitive of Nicholas; or, "coal-black, swarthy."
COLE (British) "Coal, black, swarthy or top-knot, crown of the head".
COLEMAN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Columain".
COLLIER (British).
"Charcoal burner/seller".
COLLIN(G)S (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Coilen".
COLLINGSWORTH (British). From Kol-Ing-Worth, "dark one's farmstead".
COLLINS (British). In England, double diminuitive of "Nicholas." In Ireland, derived
from "O Cullane (=son of Whelp?)."
COLLIS (British). "Son of Coll (coal, black, swarthy or top-knot, crown of the
head)".
COLSTON (British).
"Charcoal and stone burner/seller".
COLTHAR (British).
"Colt herder".
COLVILLE (British). "Col=someone of swarthy appearance; Ville=settlement" (German).
COMPTON (British). "Short straight valley and enclosure".
CONANT (British). Originally O Conant - "Descendant of Young Exalted." CONNET (British).
Form of Conant.
CONEELY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacConghaola".
CONLAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacConluain".
CONNAUGHTAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Connachtain".
CONNELL (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conaill".
CONNERY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Maoilchonaire".
CONNOLLY (British). "Son of Conall, high mighty".
CONNOLLY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conghaile".
CONNOLLY (British)
"Valiant" (Gaelic).
CONVERY (British) "Fierceness" (Gaelic).
CONWAY (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conaighain".
CONWAY (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Connowe".
CONWAY (British). A town in North Wales.
CONYERS (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conor".
CONYNGHAM (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Conagan".
COOGAN (British). From O'Cuagain (Gaelic), "descendant of the young, awkward one".
COOGAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Comhghain".
COOK(E) (British). "Cook."
COOLAHAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Culaghaine".
COOMBER (British). "Valley in the flank of a hill" or "short valley running up from
the sea."
COONAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cuanain".
COOPER (British). "Barrel/bucket maker" (Middle English/Germanic/Low Latin).
COPELAND (British). "Bought land."
COPP (British). "Hilltop (literally 'head of hill')."
COPPINGER (British). From "Copener (=merchant?)" (Danish).
CORBETT (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cornain".
CORBETT (British). "Black hair" (Old French).
CORCORAN (British)
"Red/ purple faced".
CORDLE (British).
"Maker of cord and string, or a weaver of ribbons" (French).
CORMACK (British).
"The son of the chariot".
CORNELL (British).
An altered form of either Cornwall, Cornwell or Cornhill
(all places in England).
CORR (British). Anglicized form of "O'Corra (descendant of Spear)" (Irish).
CORREA (Spanish)
"Leather belt".
CORRELL (British). "Enclosed property."
COSGRAVE (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacOscar".
COSTELLO (British).
"Son of Jocelyn" (Irish).
COSTELLO (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacOscar".
COTTER (British).
"Son of Terrible Army".
COTTERELL (British). Diminuitive of "Cottager" (Old French).
COTTLE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Coitil".
COTTRELL (British). Form of Cotterell.
COULSON (British). "Son of Cole."
COVELL (British). Of French origin and introduced at
time of Norman Conquest in 1066. Derives from one of three
small towns in Normandy called Colleville.
COWEN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Caomhain".
COX (British). Form of Cocks.
COYNE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cain".
CRABTREE (British). "Crab-apple tree" (Middle English).
CRAFTON (British). "Place where wild saffron grows."
CRANSTON (British)
"Cran=crane, long legged".
CRAWCOUR (British).
"Heart breaker (literally break heart)" (Old French); or
from Crevecouer, France, so named after the dismay of civilians
at local fighting.
CRAWFORD (British). "Ford with crows," places in Scotland and England.
CREAGH (British). "Branch," (Irish) for one who weilded a branch against the Vikings
at Limerick.
CREASE (British). "Elegant, dainty."
CREEDAN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Criadhen".
CRIBBAN (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cribbain".
CRIDDLE (British). "The believer's valley."
CRISP (British). "Curly" (Anglicized Latin).
CRITCHLEY (British). "Dweller at the clearing with a cross.".
CRITTALL (British). "Derived from Crit Hall in Benenden, Kent".
CRITTLE (British). Form of Criddle.
CROCKER (British). "Crockery maker, potter."
CROFT (British). "Arable enclosure adjoining a house".
CROOKHAM (British) ). "A cripple or a hunchback" or "someone living in the bent of
the road".
CROSBY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacCrossan".
CROSBY (British). "Village/farm with crosses" (Old Norse), places in England.
CROSSMAN (British). "Living by the market or crossroads" or ) "angry man".
CROWL (British).
"Curly, winding".
CROWLEY (British).
"Wood/clearing with crows."
CROWTHER (British). ). "Player of the crouth, an ancient type of fiddle."
CRUDEN (British). "Of Cru Dane," place in Scotland from which invading Danes were
repelled.
CULLEEN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Gilin".
CULLEN (British). "Cologne/colony" (Old French/Latin); or, "at the back of the
river" (Scots Gaelic).
CULLEN (British). In Scotland and Ireland, "Son of Conn"; in England, "From (town of) Cunningham."
CULLIN (British). "Colony".
CULPEPPER (British).
"Pepper culler".
CUMBERLAND (British). "Land of the Britons and Cymry (Welsh)" (Old Welsh).
CUMMING (British). "Crooked, bent" (Irish); also has roots in Brittany.
CUMMINS (British). "Crooked/bent".
CUMMINS (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Cumin".
CUNDALL (British). "Valley valley" (Old English and Old Norse), place in England.
CUNNINGHAM (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Connaghain".
CUNNINGHAM (British). "Milk pails", place in England.
CUPP (American). "Head," (German). Alternate forms KUPP, KOPP, etc.
CURRIE (British). "Cauldron (for a ravine)," place Scotland (Scots Gaelic).
CURRIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacCarrain".
CURTIS (British). "Courteous, educated, well-bred" (Old French); or, "short hose,
stockings, breeches" (Old French, Germanic).
CUSACK (British). "Roman personal name, Cussac".
CUSKLEY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "MacGillicuskly".
CUTHBERTSON (British). "Son of famous bright" (Germanic); often after the saint.
CYRUS (Persian)
From Kurush, "the sun".
CZYZ (Polish).
"Greenfinch" (Polish).
Back to Top
D
DABIN (French). ). Diminuitive of Dabb (a diminuitive of Robert).
DACK (British). Possibly a form of Dacre.
DACRE (British). "Dropping, trickling stream" (Gaelic), place in England.
DALE (British). "Valley, dale" (Old English, Old Norse).
DALTON (British). "Dale farm," places in England.
DALY (British). From O'Dalaigh (Gaelic), "descendant of the frequenter of assemblies".
DALY (British). "Meeting or assembly" (Gaelic).
DANCER (British). "Professional dancer" (Old French).
DANCY (British). Possibly a form of Dancer.
DANGERFIELD (British). "Of Angerville" (Old French, Old Norse).
DANIEL(L) (British). "God has judged" (Hebrew).
DARCY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Dorchaidhe".
DARKE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Dorchaidhe".
DARWIN (British). "Dear friend."
DAVEE (British). "Lullaby word for darling or 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 (British). "Son of David".
DAVIES (British). "Son of David" - Davies is the typical Welsh spelling.
DAVIS (British). "A lullaby word, darling then friendly".
DAVIS (British). English form of Davies.
DAWSON (British). "Son of (diminuitive) David."
DAY (British). "Dairymaid/dairyman/kneader." This is not a short form; 'dairy'
is actually 'day-ry' (=place of the kneaders)."
DE WOLFE (British)
"Wolf".
DEACON (British). "Servant" (Greek).
DEAN (British).
"Valley".
DEANLY (British). "Chief of ten" (Latin).
DEAR (British).
"Dear," or "brave," or "deer-like."
DEATH (Belgian, British). In Britain, "Death," possibly for one who played this role in plays. In Belgium,
"from (town of) Ath" (French).
DELANY (British). "Descendant of black River Slaine (=safe)" (Irish); or, "of the alder grove" (Old French).
DELL (British). "Dweller in a dell."
DEMPSEY (British). "Descendant of Proud" (Irish).
DENMAN (British). "Dane-man," for a Dane.
DENNY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duineadhaigh".
DENTON (British). "Valley place".
DERRICK (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Deirg".
DESROSIER (French). "The flowers."
DEVANY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duanmhaigh".
DEVEREUX (British). "Of Evreux (place named after Keltic tribe Eburovices or 'dwellers
on the River Ebura')" (Old French).
DEVLIN (British). From O'Dobhailein (Gaelic), "descendant of the valorous and boisterous
one".
DEXTER (British). "Dyer." (once referred only to females dyers)
DIAMOND (British)
"Unconquerable, hard stone".
DIARMID (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duibhdiorma".
DICKERMAN (German).
"Ditch digger" or
"dyke dweller."
DIEDERICH (German). "Folk rule" (German).
DIETZ (German). "Son of Diedrich" (German).
DILLON (British). ). "Dillo (='destroy')" (Germanic).
DINEEN (British)
"Descendant of Duinnin, meaning dark brown" (Gaelic).
DINGELHOFF (Dutch).
Dutch form of Dungelhoeff.
DIXON (British).
Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Discin".
DIXON (British).
"Son of Richard."
DOERNER (German). From one of many German towns beginning with "Dorn".
DONALD (British). "World mighty" (Scots Gaelic).
DONASCIMENTO (Brazilian). "Of Birth".
DONEY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duineadhaigh".
DONNE (British) ). "Dull brown, dark, swarthy". Or, in Ireland "Son of Brown".
DONNELLY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Dunghaile".
DONOGHUE (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Donchadha".
DONOVAN (British). For O Donovan -- "descendant of Dark
Brown" (Irish).
DOODY. Jewish(?) diminuitive of David.
DORAN (British). "Decendent of Exile/stranger".
DORMER (British). "Sleeper, lazybones" (Old French). DOUGHERTY (British). "Descendant of Obstructive, Stern" (Irish).
DORN (German). "Thorn, thicket" (Germanic).
DORSETT (British)
"Pebbles and dwellers".
DOUGLAS (British).
"Black water, dark stream" (Scots Gaelic), places in England
and Scotland.
DOUTHIT (British). Form of Dowthwaite.
DOWDALL (British).
"Descendant of Black" (Irish).
DOWNEY (British).
"Down hill".
DOWTHWAITE (British). Place in England.
DOYLE (British). ). "Dark stranger, foreigner" (Irish) - probably applied to a Viking.
DRESCHER (Austria,Germany) "Thresher of wheat" (Germanic).
DRINKWATER (British). "Drink water," said either of those too poor to drink ale, or
sarcastically of drunkards, or in reference to diabetes.
DRISCOLL (British). "Descendant of Interpreter" (Irish).
DRUM(MOND) (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Drum".
DRUMMOND (British). "Ridge" (Scots Gaelic), places in Scotland.
DRURY (British). "Love affair, love token" (Old French).
DUCKETT (British). "Little duke."
DUFF (British). "Black, dark" (Irish and Scots Gaelic).
DUGAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duibhagain".
DULLERAN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duibhleargain".
DUNCAN (British). "Brown warrior" (Irish and Scots Gaelic).
DUNGAN (British). "Someone who lives on raised land surrounded by marsh" (German).
DUNGELHOEFF (German). "On/near a small hill" (German).
DUNKIN (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duinchinn".
DUNLOP (British). "Muddy hill" (Scots Gaelic).
DUNN (British). "Brown, dark, swarthy."
DUNPHY (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Donchadha".
DURACK (British). Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Duibhraic".
DURHAM (British). "Hill peninsula" (Old English + Old Norse).
DURLING (British). Form of Darling.
DUTTON (British). "Enclosure, settlement".
Back to Top
E
EARLEY (British). "Ploughing field"; often corrupted to "Early."
EARNSHAW (British). "Shaw with eagles".
EASON (British). From Esne-sone, "servant's son".
EATON (British). "River/island farm," name of many places in England.
EBERSPACHER (German). "Boar brook" (German).
ECCLES (British). "Church" (Old Welsh/Irish, from Latin), name of places in England.
ECCLESTON (British). "Church farm" (Welsh/Irish).
ECKLES (British). "Church".
ED(D)INGTON (British). "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 (British)
"Lowest order of free citizen" (German).
EDGELL (British).
"Park/pasture clearing".
EDMUND (British).
"Prosperity/happiness protector"; Saint Edmund.
EDWARD (British). "Prosperity/ happiness friend".
EDWARDS (British). "Son of Edward".
EGAN (British). Originally McEgan -- "son of Hugh" (Irish).
EGGLESTON (British). "Eggle=from first name Eegel; ston=enclosure".
EICHHAMMER (Austrian, German). "(User of an) oak hammer."
EKELMANN (German)
"Ekel=disgust" (Germanic).
ELCOMBE (British).
"Valley of a man named Ella" or "Elder Valley".
ELIAS (British).
Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah (="Yahweh is God").
ELISS (British). Form of Elias.
ELKINS (British). "Son of (diminuitive) Elias."
ELLEN (British). "Helen (=bright)" (Greek); Saint Helen.
ELLENBERGER (German). From the town of Ellenberg, Germany.
ELLERSHAW (British). "Someone living by an alder tree" (German).
ELLIOT (British). "Noble war" or "mound, back".
ELLIOT (British). Diminuitive of Elias.
ELLZEY (German). From Elzee, Germany.
ELMORE (British). "River bank with elms".
ELMORE (British). "River-bank with elms," place in England.
ELSTON (British). "Everlasting enclosure".
ELSTON (British). "Elf stone", "old stone" or "temple stone."
ELSWORTH (British). "Elli=a place in Cambridgeshire; worth=enclosure".
ELY (British). "Eel district," place in England.
EMERSON (British). "Son of Emery (=industrious)."
EMERY (British). "Work rule" (German).
EMMETT (British). "Whole/universal" (Germanic).
ENGLAND (British). "From the country of the Angles," who came from an angle-shaped
area of Holstein.
ENGLE (German)
From Engilo (Germanic), "young hero".
ENOCH (British)
From Hhanakh (Hebrew), "dedicated one".
EPPERSON (British). Derived from Epps.
EPPS (British).
"Son of the wild boar."
ERWIN (British).
"Wild boar friend."
ESSIG (British). "Vinegar".
EVANS (British). "Son of Evan."
EVERSON (British). "Son of Ever (=boar)."
EVERTON (British). "Wild-boar place," name of places in England.
EYE (British).
"Island," name of places in England.
Back to Top
|