Abrahamsson: son of Abraham, From the Hebrew personal name Abraham, borne by the first of the Jewish patriarchs, founder of the Jewish people (Gen. 11-25). The name is explained in Gen. 17:5 as being derived from Hebrew av hamon goyim ‘father of a multitude of nations’.
Adams: The son of Adam (man of red earth; red), from the Hebrew personal name Adam, which was borne, according to Genesis, by the first man. It is of uncertain etymology; it is often said to be from Hebrew adama earth.
Alcock: Descendant or son of little Al, a pet form of Alan or Allen (Comely or fair; harmony)
Anderson : is the ninth most common surname in America, and owes that position to the popularity of the name Andrew in England, Scotland, and Scandinavian countries. Andrew (man, manly) was the first of the disciples called by Jesus, and was a revered name due to its church influences through medieval times. St. Andrew is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia and many given names were chosen to honor the saint. Patronymic surnames are names used to describe a man by using his father's name. The Swedes in American eliminated the extra -S- they normally include to become Anderson. It was Andersson and Anderssen before they emigrated. Andrews is largely found in Scotland, along with McAndrew -- the prefix Mc being another patronymic designation -- which is also found in Ireland.
Arthur is an English, Welsh and French patronymic name, from the Celtic given name Arthur , (Thor’s eagle; valorous, noble; bear, man), but has been in continuous use since the Middle Ages, partly due to the King Arthur tales, based on a 6th century British leader.
Bachelder: (English) The holder, or tenant, of a small farm; an officer or servant who has care of the door in a large household; the young person, or young knight.
Baker : As you might suspect, this name originated in the occupation of a medieval townsman, where many of the most frequently found surnames were derived. Baker is the 7th most frequently found occupational surname in America.
Bannister: (English) One who made and sold baskets; one who fought with a crossbow.
Baron: (English, Scottish, Irish, French) from the title of nobility, Middle English, Old French baron, barun. As a surname it is unlikely to be a status name denoting a person of rank. The great baronial families of Europe had distinctive surnames of their own. However, ‘baron’ in Scotland denoted a member of a class of minor landowners who had a certain degree of jurisdiction over the local populace, and the title was also awarded to certain freeman of the cities of London and York and of the Cinque Ports; either of these uses might be the source of a surname. Far more commonly, however, the surname is derived from an Old French name Baro, or else referred to service in a baronial household or was acquired as a nickname by a peasant who had ideas above his station.
Bartlett: (English) Descendants of little Bart, a pet form of Bartholomew (Son of Talmai, furrow)
Batchelder: (Scottish) The holder or tenant of a small farm; an officer or servant who has care of the door, a door keeper.
Bate: (English and Scottish) 1) from the Middle English given name Bat(t)e, a pet name for Bartholomew. 2) metonymic occupational name for a boatman, from Old English bat boat.
Bayford: (English) place name from a place in Herts., so called from the OE personal name Baega.
Beamsley: (English) One who came from Beamsley (valley grove), in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Bean: (English, Scottish) Descendant of Ben, a pet form of Benjamin (son of my right hand) or of Benedict (blessed); the light complexioned man.
Beaumont: (English, French) One who came from Beaumont (beautiful mountain), the name of five place is Normandy, as well as several places in England.
Beckingham: (English) One who came from Beckingham (homestead of Becca’s people), the name of places in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Bengtsson: (Swedish) The son of Bengt, Swedish form of Benedict (blessed).
Bois is a French place name for the man who lived or worked in the woods, derived from Old French bois = wood. Variations are Dubois, Desbois, Bost, Dubos, Dubost .
Booth is an English Place name for the man who lived in a small hut or bothy from the Middle English word bothe , and usually designated a cowman or shepherd. It has Scandinavian origins and denoted the various kinds of temporary shelter, and is more common in Northern England and Scotland. Variations include Boothe, Boothman, Boden, Bodin .
Bosley: One who came from Bosley (Bosa's wood), in Cheshire.
Bradshaw: (English) One who came from Bradshaw (extensive grove), in Derbyshire; dweller in, or near, the big woods.
Brewer: (British) One who brewed beer or ale.
Briant is a French cognate of the English patronymic name Bryan, from a Celtic given name Brian containing the element bre = hill and used in the transferred sense of "eminence." Bretons with the name accompanied William the Conqueror in his invasion of England, then went on to invade and settle in Ireland, mingling with the native Irish. Variations are Brian, Brien, Bryant, Briant
Brockwell: (English) Dweller at the stream frequented by badgers.
Brook, Brooks: (British) Dweller near the spring or brook, sometimes marsh.
Brown : is one of the more common surnames, as you might expect. Among the light skinned English anyone with a darker complexion, brown hair, tendency toward brown clothing, etc. were often described that way, and it stuck as a surname. There are a number of derivatives in many countries.
Bryant is a variation of the English surname Bryan, from the Celtic given name Brian, containing the element bre = hill, used in the transferred sense of 'eminence.' Bearers of this name accompanied William the Conqueror in the invasion of England in 1066, and went on to invade and settle in Ireland in the 12th century.
Bulmer is an English Place name from a place in Essex that was recorded in the Domesday Book as Bulenemera . It is derived from the Old English elements bulena (the plural of bula = bull) + mere = lake, for a literal meaning of 'lake of the bulls.'
Birrell is a English cognate of the French name Bourrel, derived from a diminutive version of Boure, which was used in several senses in Old French, including "cushion," "harness," "headdress," and "crest." The name would have identified the maker or seller of any of these items. Occasionally, Bourrel was the man who served as the judicial torturer, from Old French bourreau < bourrer = to maltreat, torture (it is literally translated as "wool carder." Variations are Bourreau, Borel, Borrel .
Bussell: (English) Dweller at, or near, a thicket or small wood; one who came from Boissel (small wood), in France.
Carter is an English Occupational name for the transporter of goods by cart or wagon from Anglo-Norman French caretier, a derivative of Old French caret which originally implied 'carrier.' Occasionally it is a form of McArthur .
Chandler : The Chandler worked with wax, and in addition to making candles, he fashioned wax objects or icons that were used in church offerings. Chandler is an English Occupational name.
Cheney: (English) One who came from Quesney, Cheney, or Chenay (oak grove), in France; dweller near the chain, or barrier, used to close a street at night.
Christiansen: (Danish, Norwegian) The son of Christian (follower of Christ)
During the Middle Ages, the common pronunciation of -er was -ar, so the man who sold items was the marchant, and the man who kept the books was the Clark. Clerc was the origin, and designated a member of the clergy, hence cleric. At the time, the primary members of the literate class were the clergy, which in minor orders were allow to marry and have families. The term clerk came to designate any literate man. Clarke, Clerk, Clerke are variations.
There is a group of villages in Somerset that were named for the British river Cocker, from a word that meant 'crooked.' The Old Irish word cucar = crooked, awkward -- the river was named for a similar word from the Breton/Old Welsh languages. The man who originated in one of the villages so-named was called Coker.
Cole: (English) Descendant of Cole, a pet form of Nicholas (people’s victory).
Coleman is an English and Scottish patronymic name from the Old
Irish given name Colman, from Columbun (from Latin Columba =
dove). The Irish missionary to Europe, St. Columban (540-615) made the
name popular. The name is sometimes derived as an Anglicized version of
the Gaelic O Clumbhain (descendant of Clumhan).
As an occupational name, Coleman was the man who gathered charcoal,
from Old English col = coal + mann = man -- and somewhat
rarely, the name for the personal servant of the man named Cole.
Cook is the English occupational name for the cook, the man who sold cooked meats, or the keeper of an eating house. It is derived from Old English coc = cook. Cooke and Coke are variations.
Coope: The English Occupational name that describes the maker of wooden barrels.
Corbet: (English, French. Irish) Dweller at the sign of the raven; the son of Corbet (raven)
Cotton : Cot was a shortened form of cottage, and was used as the ending of many English surnames such as Wolcott, etc. and in a diminutive form with the suffix -on the English Place name Cotton was derived. The man who came to be known by that name lived near the small cottage, or at the cottages.
Courtenay: ( French) One who came from Courtenay, the name of two places in France.
Cross : English Place name for the man who lived near the stone cross set up by the roadside or marketplace, from Old Norse kross .
Daniel/Daniell/Daniels : English, French, Portuguese, German, Polish and Jewish Patronymic name, from the Hebrew given name Daniel (meaning God is my judge ). Variations are too numerous to list, but will be added as queries concern them.
Davenport : English Place Name...Many of the surnames that originated in England came from places where the progenitor lived... The name Davenport was first used in England's county Cheshire, where the Dane river flowed. Davenport was the 'town on the Dane River' and became the name of some who made their homes there.
Day is an English and Irish name that originates in several forms: as an English variation of David -- a common pet form of the name; as a patronymic name derived from the Middle English given name Daye from Old English dœg = day or the given name Dœgberht ; as an Irish patronymic name Anglicized from Ó Deághaidh , meaning "descendant of Deághadh " whose name meant "good luck." Daye, Dey, D'Eye, Daykin, Dakin, Deyes, Dayson, Deason, Dayman are other forms of the name.
The name De Insula became De Lisle, Le Lisle and Lisley, then Lisle. see Eyles
Derby: (English) One who came from Derby (homestead frequented by wild animals), in Derbyshire
De Roche: (French) Dweller near the rock or cliff.
Doyley, D’Oyley: (English) One who came from Ouilly (Olius’ farm), the name of five places in Normandy.
Douglass is a variation of Douglas, the Scottish place name for any of the so-named locations on a river named with dubh = dark + glais = stream. There are several locations in Scotland and Ireland with the name, but most with the surname originated in the area some 20 miles south of Glasgow.
Downs, Downes, Down: (English) Dweller on, or near, the hill or hill pasture.
Drayton: (English) One who came from Drayton (homestead near a portage, or on a narrow strip of land), the name of many places in England.
Drew: (English) Descendant of Drew, Dru or Drogo (carrier); or of Drew, a pet form of Andrew (manly).
Dudley: (English) One who came from Dudley (Dudda’s meadow), in Worcestershire.
Dunn is a Scottish and Irish name from the Gaelic donn = dark, brown... a nickname for the man with dark hair or a dark complexion. It is also derived as an English nickname with the same meaning, from Old English dunn = dark colored. Occasionally, it is found as a Scottish place name from Dun the former county of Angus, from Gaelic dun = fort. Variations are Dun, Dunne, Don, Donne, Donn .
Dutton is an English place name from the so-named locations in Cheshire and Lancashire which received their names from Old English Dudda (a given name) + tun = enclosure, settlement. It described the man who came from that locale.
Eaton: (English) One who came from Eaton (homestead on a river or island), the name of various places in England
Elliott : and its spelling variations are all based on the popular Middle Ages given name Elijah (My God is Jehovah). Among the many surnames that were adopted as English Patronymic names from Elijah were Ellis, Ellison, Elias , and Elliott .
Emerson: (English) The son of Emery ( work, industrious).
English: (English) An Englishman. Possibly the name was acquired while outside of England and brought back.
Eustace: (English) Descendant of Eustace (steadfast)
Everett is one of the many variations of the English name Everard, which came from a Germanic given name comprised of the elements ever = wild boar + hard = brave, strong, hardy. The name may be of Norman origin or as a variation of the name Eoforheard.
Eyles is an English place name from Anglo-Norman-French isle, idle = island, from Old French isel and Latin insula. The island of reference is likely to have been located in the North of France due to the origination of the surname. Isle is the most commonly found version, while Iles (primarily in Gloucester) Illes, Idle , and Lisle are variations.
Farbanks, Fairbank: (English) Dweller on, or near, the ridge where bulls or sheep were confined; or by the beautiful banks or shore.
Fifield: (English) One who came from Fifield (an estate of five hides, i.e., as much land as could be tilled by five plows), the name of several places in England.
Folsom, Foulsham: (English) One who came from Foulsham ( Foghel’s homestead), in Norfolk.
Foster/Forester : In the English Middle Ages, the forests and woods were almost always owned or controlled by the lord of the manor -- but people had no reservations about sneaking in and taking firewood, game, or whatever else they might require. To keep the poaching to a minimum, the lord retained a man to watch the forest -- often called a Forester, and sometimes called a Foster. The name stuck as an English Occupation surname when they became adopted.
Franklin: (English) A freeholder who held substantial land for which he paid only a small rent and who rendered little or no service to the lord.
Gary: (Irish) Grandson of Gadhra (hound or hunting dog).
Gates: (English) One who lived in, or near, the gate or gap in
a chain of hills.
George: a surname derived from Germanic georgos = farmer, a compound
form of ge = earth + ergein = to work, till.
George: (Welsh, French) Descendant of George (farmer); dweller at the sign of St. George.
Gerard, Gerald, Geralds: (English) Descendant of Gerard or Gerald (spear, hard).
Gifford is generally a variation of Giffard, which primarily was a cognate of Gebhardt , a Germanic given name derived of the elements geb = gift + hard = brave, hardy. St. Gebhardt was bishop of Constance during the 10th century and contributed to the popularity of the name through the Middle Ages. Occasionally, Giffard comes as a nickname from Old French giffard = chubby-cheeked; and finally, Gifford is sometimes a place name from the place in Suffolk -- now called Giffords Hall, which was known in Old England as Gyddingford .
Gilman: The servant of Gill, a pet form of Gilbert (pledge, bright) and of Gillian (downy bearded or youthful). “William” or “Guillotine” in Old French.
Goodale: (English) A nickname meaning "good ale," given to a brewer who makes good ale; variant of Goodall
Goodwin, Goodwine, Goodwyn: (English) Descendant of Godwin (God's friend)
Gordon: a Scottish place name, from the so-named location in the former county Berwickshire (now part of Borders region) and named for Breton woods that preceded Welsh gor = spacious + din = fort. Occasionally, it is an English place name from Gourdon in Saone-et-loire, from the Roman given name Gordus, or among the Irish is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mag Mhuirneachain (son of beloved). When of French origin, it is a nickname for the heavy man, from Old French gort = fat.
Gore: One who lived near, or on, the triangular piece of land; one who tilled such a piece; one who came from Gore (triangular land), in Kent or a French nickname for an idle individual.
Gott: (English) a dweller near a watercourse or channel.
Gove: (Scottish, Irish) a variant of Gow, the worker in metals, a smith; one who came from Govan (small school house; dear rock), in Lanarkshire.
Gray is an English nickname for the man with gray hair, or a gray beard, from Old English grœg = grey. Among the Scottish and Irish it is derived as a translation for several Gaelic names that come from riabhach = brindled, gray. It is occasionally found as a place name, for the English or Scotsman who originated in Graye in Calvados, from Latin gratus = welcome. Grey, Legrey are variations.
Green: (English) Dweller at, or near, the village green, or grassy ground.
Gridley: (English) Dweller in or near, Grida’s wood.
Griffeth is a spelling variation of the Welsh patronymic name Gruffydd, which came from Old Welsh griff + udd = chief, lord. The exact meaning of griff in Old Welsh isn't completely understood. Griffin is sometimes a variation of the name Griffeth.
Grosvenor: (English) The chief or royal huntsman.
Hall: English/German/Danish/Norwegian/Swedish Place name, derived from various words for "large house" including OE heall, and Old High German halla.
Hankin: (English) The son of little Hane, a pet form of John (gracious gift of Jehovah).
Hanscom: (English) One who came from Hanscomb (witches’ valley), in Surrey.
Hansson: (Swedish) The son of Hans, a pet form of Johannes, Scandinavian form of John (gracious gift of Jehovah).
Hargraves: (English) One who came from Hargrave (hare’s grove), the name of several places in England.
Harriman is an English occupational name for a servant who was in the employ of someone who had the given name - Harry...as in Harry's man.
Harrington: (English, Irish) One who came from Harrington (the heath-dwellers' enclosure), in Northamptonshire; grandson of the tall or powerful man.
Harris: (Welsh, English) The son of Harry, the English version of Henry (home ruler)
Harvey: Descendant of Harvey (bitter; carnage worthy)
Herring: (German, English, Scottish) Descendant of Hering (son of Here, army); one who fished for, and sold, herring, an important article of food in medieval England; dweller at the sign of the herring.
Holland is an English place name that described the medieval man from any of the eight villages scattered around England at the time, which got their names from Old English hoh = ridge + land = land. A county of the Holy Roman Empire was Holland in the Netherlands, and it has long been used synonymously in English and occurs occasionally in English, German, Jewish, Flemish, and Dutch names to describe the man from that area. Also, less frequently, Holland (when of known Irish origin) is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surnames Houlihan, Mulholland, or Whelen. Variations are Hollands, Howland, Hoyland.
Holmes: a patronymic variation of the English and Scottish surname Holme, derived from the Middle English word holm, from Old English holegn, which derived eventually into the word ‘holly’ and described the tree. Holme was the man who lived near the holly tree. Occasionally it is derived from Northern Middle English holm from Old Norse holmr = raised land in a fen or partially surrounded by streams, and used to describe the man who lived on a tiny island of raised land. Variations are Hulmes, Home, Hulme, Hume .
Hough: (English) One who came from Hough (spur of hill), in Cheshire.
Hulse is a Low German cognate of the German place name Hilse, which described the man who lived by a holly tree, and was derived from Middle High German huls = holly. Huls,
Hutchin is an English and Scot patronymic name from the medieval given name Huchin , which is a diminutive form of Hugh Hutcheon is a variation found mainly in Scotland -- other variations are Hutchen, Houchen, Howchin . Hutchins, Hutchings are primarily found in Devon and Somerset as patronymic forms; Scottish patronymic forms include Hutchison, Hutcherson, Hutcheson . Hutchinson is found all over, but is most common in Northern Ireland and Northern England.
Hutton: (English) One who came from Hutton (village on the spur of a hill), the name of many places in England.
Ingalls: (English) Descendant of Ingeld (Ing’s tribute); one who came from Ingol (Inga’s valley), in Lancashire.
Ingersoll, Ingersall, Inkersall: (English) a habitation name from a place in Derbyshire, recorded in the 13th century as Hinkershil(l) and Hinkreshill. The final element is Old English hyll = Hill; the first may be the Old Norse name Ingvarr/Ingvair or an Old English byname meaning ‘Limper’. It may represent a contracted version of Old English hingna aecer = monks’ field.
Ireland: (English) One who came to England from Ireland.
Jacobs is a patronymic form of Jacob, an English, Jewish, and Portuguese surname from Latin Jacobus < Hebrew Yaakov. Jacob, James , and Jack are all derived from this source. Numerous patronymic versions are found such as Jacobs, Jacobson (English); Jakobsen, Jakobs (Low German); Jacobsen, Jakobsen (Danish, Norwegian).
James is an English patronymic name derived from Hebrew Y aakov > Latin Jacobus > Late Latin Jacmus -- and believed originating in the Hebrew term akev = heel. A biblical story contains the mention of a heel in the birth of Jacob. In English, Jacob and James are distinctly separate names, but throughout the rest of the world, the two are considered the same name in cognate form. Patronymic forms include Jameson, Jamisom, Jamieson.
Jasper: (English) Descendant of Jasper (master of the treasure)
Johansson: (Swedish) The son of Johan (gracious gift of Jehovah).
Johnson : English Patronymic Name: One of the earliest first names was John (gift of God), which in the 17th century replaced William as the most popular name for a male. As a patronymic name, Johnson from England and Scandinavia became the most widely found name in America, and its Welsh version Jones the fifth most prolific.
Jones : English Patronymic Name: One of the earliest first names was John (gift of God), which in the 17th century replaced William as the most popular name for a male. As a patronymic name, Johnson from England and Scandinavia became the most widely found name in America, and its Welsh version Jones the fifth most prolific.
Jonsson: The son of Jon (gracious gift of Jehovah).
Jordan (British). "Flowing Down" . From the Hebrew, the river of Judgement. The name is derived from its two sprinheads Jor and Dan. The family was seated at Dorsetshire, England as early as 140.
King is an English nickname, derived from Old English cyning, originally meaning tribal leader, but it evolved to modern vocabulary as king. The name was already in use before the Norman conquest, and was a common nickname for the man who carried himself like royalty, or to the man who had played the part of the king in a medieval pageant (several surnames were derived from medieval pageants and the players must have been celebrities of sorts, as a result). Rarely, the name was given to the man who worked for royalty as a footman or servant. Kinge is a variation of the English nickname.
Knight : English Status Name from the Old English cniht which referred to a boy or serving lad. During the Middle Ages, Knight was used as a given name before the Norman conquest, after which it became a term for a tenant farmer who defended his lord on horseback. As only those men of some stature owned horses, it became a term for a man of prominence, and later, was converted to an honorary title.
Knutson is found in Sweden and Norway and a patronymic name meaning "son of Knut" or "son of Canute" -- given names that meant "hill" or "white-haired."
Langley: (English) One who came from Langley (long wood or clearing), the name of many places in England.
Larrabee: (French) Dweller at the riverbank.
Larson/Larkin/Lawson,/Lorenzo: The name Lawrence was derived from 'laurel' - symbol of victory, and was popularized by St. Lawrence, a papel deacon who was martyred in the Middle Ages. McLaren is the Scottish form of the name, Larson, Larkin , and Lawson are among the English variations and Lorenz is a German form.
Latham: (English) One who came from Latham or Laytham, both in Yorkshire, or Lathom in Lancashire, all three meaning barn enclosure.
Lee/Lea : The surname Lea is derived from the Old English word leah , which meant 'clearing in the woods' and the ending -ley- is the second most common among English surnames. Lee and Lea were also the names of many small towns that were in the valley or the 'clearing in the woods.
Leigh: (English) A variant of Lee
Libby, Libbey: (Scottish, German) Descendant of Ibb, a pet form of Isobel (oath to Baal); a form of Elizabeth (oath of God); the beloved person.
Lockwood: "Enclosed Wood", name of a place in England
Loring: (English) One who came from Lorraine (dominion of King Lothar II), in France; dweller near a laurel tree; descendant of Loren, a pet form of Laurence (laurel).
Lovejoy: (English) One who craved pleasure
Lovell is an English diminutive variant of the name Low, when it meant a crafty or dangerous person, a Nickname derived from the Anglo-Norman French lou = wolf + - el , a diminutive suffix. Lovel and Lowell are variations.
The family of Lushill or De Lusteshull was of considerable antiquity, long seated in Wiltshire, England. The origin of the family is unknown.
MacBean: (Scottish) The son of Bean (life).
Madog: (Welsh) Descendant of Madog or Madoc (fortunate).
Marshall : originally cared for the lord's horses, and acted as an early vet and farrier. Later on, the term evolved to describe an official in a noble's household in charge of the military affairs. It's an English Occupational name, either way.
Marti, Marty are cognate forms of the name Martin found in Provencal. Martin is found as an English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Czech, Flemish, Dutch, Danish, and Norwegian Patronymic surname -- derived from the ancient Latin given name Martinus, derived from Mars/Martis , the Roman god of fertility and war. A fourth century saint had the name, and those early saints made for a lot of namesakes. Variations are Marten, Martyn, Martine, Lamartine, Martijn among others.
Massey, Massie: (English, French) One who came from Massey or Macey (Mathieu's farm), in Normandy; descendant of Masso, a pet form of Tomasso (a twin).
Matthews/Mathis : English Patronymic Name...Matthew means 'gift of Yahweh' as does Matthias -- both were popular first names in early times, and it is almost impossible to determine which derivatives came from which name...at any rate, Matthews and Mathews are English Patronymic names (from the father) and Mathis is the German counterpart. Matthews with the double-t was more popular in Wales.
Mauduit: this surname comes from the French for "ill-behaved".
McCollough is a variation of the Irish and Scottish name McCulloch, which is an Anglicized form of a Gaelic patronymic name Cullach, from cullach = wild boar. Some families translated the name as Boar rather than Culloch or McCulloch. There is also speculation that the name might be derived from Cu-Uladh , meaning 'Hound of Ulster.' Variations of the name are McCullach, McCullagh, McCully, McCullie , and McCoulie. Thomas Maculagh of Wigtonshire, noted in the year 1296 is the first known bearer of the name in Scotland.
McDonald and McDonell are variations of the same surname, both Scottish Patronymic names derived from the Gaelic -- Mac Dhamhnuill , which means 'son of Domhnall ,' a given name from the Gaelic elements dubno =world + val =rule. Other variations are McDonnell, McDonaill, McDonall , and McDaniel .
McKenney (British) From Mac-Cionaodha (Gaelic), "son of the fire-sprung one"
Michelsson: (Swedish) The son of Michel (who is like God).
Middleton: (English) One who came from Middleton (the middle homestead or village), the name of many villages in England.
Mobley, Moberly: (English) One who came from Mobberley (glade with an assembly mound), in Cheshire.
Monsson: (Swedish, Danish) The son of Mon, a pet form of Magnus (great).
Moody: (English) The bold, impetuous, brave man
Morrell: (English) The little, dark complexioned man; descendant of Morel (dark complexioned).
Morse: (English) Dweller at or near, a moor or marshy wasteland; the son of Moor (dark complexioned man); one who came from North Africa.
Mortimer: (English) One who came from Mortemer (stagnant water), in Normandy.
Morton is an English and Scottish Place name derived from several places called that, and originated in the Old English elements mor = marsh, fen, moor + tun = enclosure, settlement. It was a name to describe the man who lived at the settlement by the marsh or moor.
Moss and Moses are derived from the Hebrew name Moshe > Moses, the Israelite leader in the Book of Exodus, and linked to the Hebrew word msh = to draw (from the water). Mosse, and Mossman are variations of Moss, which are similar in nature to Moseman.
Murray: (Scottish) One who came from Moray (beside the sea) in Scotland.
Needham is an English place name comprised of the Old English elements ned > Middle English nede = poverty, hardship + ham = homestead. Need is an English nickname for an impoverished person, based on the same origin. Needham would be the homestead of the man nicknamed "Need" or it may have been the "poor homestead."
Neil is a medieval given name which means "Champion" and evolved into an Irish, Scottish, and English surname. It is derived from the given name of Irish origin -- Niall -- and was brought to England by the Scandinavians. Neill, Neild, Neele, Neel, Neeld, Niall, Niell, Nield, Niel, Nihell, Nihill are variations.
Neville, Nevill, Nevil: (English) One who came from Neville, (new town), in Normandy, or Neuville (new town), a common place name in France.
Newton: (English, Scottish) One who came from Newton (the recently founded homestead), probably the most common English place name, also the name of several places in Scotland.
Nilsen, Nilsson: Scandinavian forms of Neilson
Norbury: (English) One who came from Norbury (northern fort), the name of several places in England.
The man who came from the North country during medieval times was described as norð or norðer (that -d like character is called eth, and pronounced like -th). Norris is an English descriptive name for people who lived originally in Scandinavia, Scotland, or sometimes -- just the north of England. Occasionally, Norris is derived from a compound, from Old English norð + hus = house. It described the man who lived in a house at the north end of the settlement. Sometimes Norris is taken from Old French nurice = nurse, and was an occupational name for a wetnurse or foster mother.
Most of the names that begin with NOR- are derived from the name North, which described the man who lived north of the main settlement, or in the north part of the village. Occasionally, it described the man who had emigrated from another land to the North.
Osgood (British) "Pagan god" or from Old Norse Asgautr
Overton: (English) One who came from Overton (homestead on a riverbank or ridge), the name of several places in England.
Page: (English) A male servant of the lowest grade, an attendant.
Pahlsson: (Swedish) The son of Pahl (the bold, audacious man)
Pearce : and its variations: Pearce, Pearse, Piers, Peers, Perce, Persse, Perris , (and others) are derived from the English given name Piers, which is a form of the name Peter.
Peavey: (English) One who came from Pavie, In France.
Peche: (English) One who came from Pech or Peche (peach), in Normandy; dweller at, or on, a peaked hill.
Pedersen: (Danish) the son of Peder (rock).
Pelham: (English) One who came from Pelham (Peola's homestead), in Hertfordshire.
Persson: (Swedish) The son of Per (rock).
Petersson: (Swedish) The son of Peter (rock)
Pine is the English place name that described the man who lived near a conspicuous pine tree, or grove of pines, from Old English pin = pine > Latin pinus. Occasionally, it may have been a nickname for the tall, thin man who resembled such a tree (those green arms may have had something to do with that -- kidding ...) Pyne is a variation. Cognates and Diminutive forms also exist for the name.
Pomeroy is a French Place name given to the person from any of the several locations in France by that name, generally spelled similar to pomeroie , which was Old French for 'apple orchard.' The Pomeroy family of Devon can trace their heritage to a close associate of William the Conqueror, Ralph de la Pomerai, whose descendants lived for over 500 years in a castle near Totnes, Devon.
Pooler is likely an Anglicized spelling of the German Pfuhler, or a variation of the English surname Pool. Pfuhler is the Germanic version of Pool, which is a place name that described the man who lived by a pool of water, or pond. Among the Dutch, Pool is an ethnic name that described the man from Poland. English variations are Poole, Poolman, Polman .
Prescott: (English) One who came from Prescot (priest's cottage), the name of places in Lancashire and Oxfordshire; dweller at or near the priest's cottage.
Raleigh: (English) One who came from Raleigh (red meadow), in Devonshire.
Renaud is a variation of the English patronymic name Reynold, deriving from a Germanic based given name composed of the elements ragin = counsel + wald = rule. Scandinavian settlers first brought the name to England in the Old Norse form that evolved into Ronald, but the French version was reinforced with William the Conqueror.
Rice (British). "Ardour" (Welsh) Form of Rhys.
Richey, Richie , and Rich (when not a nickname for the man with money, or ironically for the poor man) are diminutive forms of the English patronymic name Richard; found among the English, French, German, Flemish, Dutch, and derived from a Germanic given name of the elements ric = power + hard = hardy, brave. Variations of Richard are Ritchard, Ricard, Riccard, Rickard, Rickerd, Rickert, Rickett, Ricket (all English versions).
Roche: (French, English) Dweller near a rock; one who came from Roche (rock), in Cornwall.
Rockett: (English) One who came from La Roquette (the little rock), in Normandy.
Roe "Roe (deer)" for speed, shyness and hunting.
Rogers : English/French Patronymic name from the given name Roger which was brought to England by the Normans as Rogier. Its elements are hrod = renown + geri = spear, or `reknowned spearman.'
Root: (English) The happy or cheerful man.
Rugge: (English) Dweller at, or on, the ridge or range of hills; one who came from Rudge (ridge), the name of places in Gloucestershire and Shropshire.
Russ: (English) The red-haired or ruddy complexioned man; descendant of Russ, a pet form of Russell (dim. of red)
Russell is an English, Scottish, and Irish patronymic name from the given name Rousel, which was a common Anglo-Norman French nickname for someone with red hair.
Sanborn: (English) One who came from Sambourne (sandy stream), in Warwickshire.
Sanford: (English) One who came from Sandford (sandy ford), the name of several places in English.
Savage is an English nickname for a 'wild or uncouth person,' derived from a Middle English version of Old French salvage , sauvage = untamed.
Schmidt (German) "Smith"
Scott is an English and Scottish ethnic name that was used to identify the man from Scotland, or the man who spoke Gaelic within Scotland.
Scarisbrick is an English place name derived from the place near Liverpool that bears the name, which came to be called that through a combination of the Old Norse given name Skar added to the Old Norse vocabulary word brekka = slope, hill. The settlement at that location was literally "Skar's hill" or "Scar's brekka." Any man who formerly lived at that settlement, but moved to a new village could be described by his new neighbors by the reference to his former place of residence (to differentiate him from others already in the village with the same given name). Variations are Sizebrick, Siosbrick . Most who bear the name today are descended from Gilbert de Scaresbrec, who was lord of the manor of Scarisbrick in the 1200's.
Searl(e) - "Armour"
Seavey: (English) Descendant of Saewig (sea, war).
Seymour: (English) Descendant of Seamer (sea, famous); one who came from Seamer (lake, sea), in Yorkshire; one who came from St. Maur (black), in France.
Shepard: (English) One who tended sheep.
Smith : is an English Occupational name for man who works with metal, one of the earliest jobs for which specialist skills were required. It is a craft that was practiced in all countries, making the surname and its cognizants the most widely found of all occupational names in Europe. Medieval Smiths made horseshoes, plows, and items for the house. English variations are Smyth; German & Danish = Schmidt
Sorenson means "son of Sorin." It is a Jewish name that comes from the Yiddish female given name Sore (Sarah), which comes from Hebrew Sara = princess. Sorenson is actually a double suffix, since the name Sorin itself is an indicator of descendancy from Sore (Sarah).
Sparks (British) "Sprighty, lively"
Squire: (English) A young man of gentle birth attendant upon a knight.
Stafford : is an English Place name that was adopted by the man who lived near a river or creek at a crossing point -- which was called a ford. The particular crossing point was a 'stony ford, or ford by a landing place.'
Standish : is an English Place name for the location in Lancashire (now Greater Manchester) from OE stan =stone + edisc = pasture, for a literal meaning of 'stone pasture.'
Stanfield: (English) One who came from Stanfield (Stony field), in Norfolk; dweller on, or near, stony land.
Stanley is an English place name derived from the Old English elements stan = stone + leah = wood, clearing, and described the man who lived at the stony clearing in the woods, or a similar known geographic location.
Stanton is an English place name, from Old English stan = stone + tun = settlement, enclosure. The man from the "settlement on stony ground" was described as "stan-tun." There are numerous locations throughout England with the name, and the man who left one of those locations for a new settlement would also be referred to in that fashion by his new neighbors, to designate him as the new guy from that town.
Staples: (English) One who came from Staple (post or pillar), in Kent; dweller at a post.
Starkey: (English, Irish) Descendant of Starkie, a pet form of names beginning with Starc (strong), such as Starcbeorht, Starcfrith or Starcwulf; the little, strong man.
Stewart (British) "Stewart, keeper of a household"
Stone: (English) Dweller near some remarkable stone or rock, often a boundary mark; one who came from Stone (the stone or stones), the names of various places in England.
Strange, Strangeman, Stranger: (English) The stranger, one who came from a distance.
Stromquist: (Swedish) Stream twig.
Svensson: (Swedish) The son of Sven (young boy or servant)
Swann/Swan : English Nickname for a person noted for purity of excellence (attributes of the swan, supposedly), from Old English swan . Some Swan surnames derived from the signs at the roadside inns during early times, when people didn't read signs as much as they looked at the pictures – and innkeepers sometimes took their sign's picture as a surname. (Most were animals, birds or fish.) Occasionally, Swan is derived as an Occupational name for the servant or retainer as a variant of Swain .
Swift: (English) One who was fleet of foot, probably a messenger.
Symond: (English) The son of Simon or Simeon (gracious hearing).
Talbot: (English) Descendant of Talbot (to cut fagots); the pillager or bandit.
Temple: (English) Dweller in, or near, a religous house of the Knights Templars; descendant of Temple, a name sometimes given a foundling abandoned in a temple.
The name Thomas comes from an Aramaic term for "twin." It was one of the really popular given names at a very early time, which led to people who bore the name achieving some renown, leading to an increased popularity. The first letter of the name was originally the Greek "theta" which accounts for the TH spelling -- the pronunciation of which was lost due to the French influence in the earliest stages of the name.
Thompson : English and Scottish Patronymic which was a popular name in the Middle Ages. Thompson means "son of the man known as Thom, Thomp, or Thompkin, or other diminutive form of Thomas (twin)"
Thomson : Thomas was a popular given name in the Middle Ages, and it has endured through the years. Thom is a pet form and the man who had Thom for a Dad, was Thom'son. It's an English Patronymic name.
Thornton: (English) One who came from Thornton (place where thornbushes grew), the name of many places in England.
Titcomb: (English) One who came from Titcombe (Titta's valley), in Wiltshire.
Townsend is nearly a literally vocabulary expression for the man who lived at the "town's end" and is derived from Middle English tun,tone = village, settlement + end = end. Variations are Townhend, Townend, Townen .
Tripp: (English) One who took care of a flock of sheep or a herd of swine or goats.
Trumbull: (English) Descendant of Trumbald (strong, bold)
Verdon is predominately derived from Vardon , a Norman name brought to England with William the Conquerer. Verdun is a name held by several locations in France, and is of Gaulic origin, deriving from the elements vern = alder + dun = hill, fortress. Many of the men bearing the name originated from La Manche, and the village called Verdun in that area. During the middle ages there was a dialectic change in which -er was pronounced as if -ar; for example, the cloth-seller was called a marchant, which meant merchant. Later, the erroneous pronunciation was corrected by scholars. Vardon has remained as the predominant version of Verdun, which was corrected in the case of Verdon.
Vernon: (French, English) One who came from Vernon (the adler grove), the name of several places in France.
The family of Waleys or Walsch is of Glamorganshire descent and was long seated at Llandaugh Castle, near St. Mary Church.
Walford (British) "Stream, ford"
Walsh : English/Welsh place name. In England, the man from Wales would be described as Walsh, Welsh, Wallace , or Welch -- that is, foreigner or stranger.
Walton : The ending -ton comes from the Old English/Norse -tun which designated a town or settlement. Walton was the 'walled' town or the 'wood' town and is an English Place name.
Warburton: (English) One who came from Warburton (Waerburg's homestead), in Cheshire.
Warner/Warren : both names were derived from the job of the man who watched over the wildlife at a park. They are both English Occupational names.
Warren : English Place Name...(Norman) from La Varrenne in Seine-Maritime which means sandy soil.
Warwick: (English) One who came from Warwick (farm by a dam or fish trap, or on the bank), the name of places in Warwickshire and Cumberland.
Webster is a variation of the English occupational name Webb, who was a weaver, from early Middle English webbe > Old English webba = to weave. By the time the name was adopted, the word webbe was almost obsolete, and the -ster and -er suffixes had found their place in the language, which led to Webster. Webbe, Webber , and Web are variations.
Westbrook: (English) One who came from Westbrook (western brook), the name of several places in England.
Westwick is an English place name composed of the Old English west = west + wic = outlying settlement. It described the man who lived in the smaller, outlying settlement that depended on a nearby larger settlement (like a suburb, of sorts).
Wheeler: One who made wheels or wheeled vehicles.
White : English/Scottish/Irish Nickname for the man with white hair, or pale skin, from the Middle English whit = white.
Whitney: (English) One who came from Whitney (Hwita's island or white island), in Hertfordshire.
Woodland: (English) One who came from Woodland (wooded land), the name of several places in England.
Woodward (British) "Woodkeeper, forester"
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