English Last Names

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

Powerful surname choice with many distinguished bearers, fresher sounding than Parker.

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

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

A small number of girls are given this Irish surname as a first name each year.

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

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."

Atkinson has never made it onto the American charts, although historical records provide evidence that it has been used as a given name before. Atkin is a Medieval nickname for Adam, making Atkinson a sneaky and unique way to honor an important Adam in your life.

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.

The final s turns a nature name into a Waspy surname.

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

A new name with the potential for spanning across a far-reaching future. Bridges and Bridger are other possiblities.

Latimer is an English occupational surname that referred to someone who translated documents to and from Latin. It was derived from the French latinier and latimier, of the same meaning.

Has diverse links to a Groucho Marx character, a bouncing ball, and late performance artist Spalding Gray.

Possible alternative to Anderson.

Not quite as over-the-hill as Herman, but not far behind either.

Although it's more commonly seen as a surname, Haviland is occasionally used as a first name, particularly for girls.