English Last Names

Rarely heard surname name that lacks the lightness of other o-ending names.

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

Salt was a coveted asset in Medieval times, which gave this surname prestige.

The surname Hatton has three primary origins — English, French, and Irish/Scottish Gaelic. The English variation is a combination of compounds meaning "heather" and "settlement," while the French is derived from Germanic given names beginning with Hadu-, meaning "battle."

Classy-sounding surname name usually bypassed in favor of the simpler Landon.

As an English surname, Shields comes from the Middle English word scheld, meaning "hut" or "shelter." (This is also how the word "shell" was derived). The Irish Shields is an Anglicized form of Ó Siadhail — Siadhal may mean "slow-moving slothful."

A novel way to get to the nicknames Ash or Ford

Cute and eminently wearable surname name for girls.

Carleton has a great meaning behind it, and should really have more popularity than it has found to date. You can shorten it to Carl or keep it upscale and formal in the longer form. Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk lends the name some sporty credentials, while American artist Carleton Wiggins confirms this name's Victorian earnestness.

Stokes is ultimately an English surname, although it's been used in Ireland and Scotland for generations as well. It's a variation of Stoke, a habitational surname, as there were many towns named Stoke in England. The origin of the word stoke, however, is contested. Some say it simply means "place," while others contest it designated a small hamlet. There's also evidence that connects it to the Old English word stocc, meaning "tree trunk."

Pell makes an unusual middle name choice. And if grandpa Seymour was a fur trader, you might do better to honor him by naming the baby Pell.

Pembroke's brother.

Updates Lindsey for the 21st century.

Surname-sounding unisex cousin of Peyton is gaining in popularity, especially for girls.

A distinctive English surname name that also carries the slightly ominous sense of the verb batten, as in "batten down the hatches." Batten was also a medieval first name related to Bartholomew.

With an easy-going and interesting sound, the surname-inspired Keyes might fit in with the likes of Hayes, Reese, Kai and Keegan. While Keyes has never appeared in the US stats, Key (perhaps as a variation of Kay or Kai) is given to a handful of boys each year.

Also an English surname, Sender derives from Alexander and has an attractive modern sound. Though given to only a handful of baby boys per year, it nevertheless is in step with the brotherhood of er-ending choices fashionable today.

Sadler is another new entrant in the trendy occupational surname category, one particularly prime for a horse lover.

Bulky surname honoring Grandpa Henry or Saul Bellow's Rain King.