English Last Names

If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.

Forever the upstairs neighbor on The Honeymooners.

Sparks was originally used as a nickname in Medieval England, typically as a pet name for a lively person (or in an ironic sense, for one who was not). It was also likely used as a nickname for blacksmiths and other professionals whose work created literal fiery sparks.

Stevens edges out Stephens for the more popular form of this surname in the US and the UK.

An occupational surname that hasn't made the limelight like Carter, Baker, etc., but is equally stylish.

This would make an interesting name for a boy, if it weren't for the fact that the two most well known Fergies are female.

In British slang, a "prat" is an idiot -- enough said.

A self-explanatory occupational name. With Baker hotter than ever, Cook could be a distinct possibility. A famous bearer is gallerist Cooke Maroney, husband of Jennifer Lawrence.

fuhgeddaboutit.

Buckingham is an English surname, denoting one's ancestors lived in Buckinghamshire county. The place name was firstly Buccingaham, composed of the components inga, meaning "people of," and hamm, the Old English word for "water meadow." Bucc refers to an Anglo-Saxon chieftain named Bucca, who, in theory, settled the land.

Sweet and southern-feeling, maybe thanks to Horton Foote, author of Tender Mercies and The Trip to Bountiful, not to mention the Dr. Seuss connection.

A fresh take on Jessica, Jessel is currently borne in the public eye by Jessel Taank, a Real Housewife of New York City.

This cowboy-ish surname has an equine connection — Larimer originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other hardware needed for riding horses.

An English surname derived from the French place name Beauvais, which in turn comes from the name of an ancient Gaulish tribe, the Bellovaci.

Moody would work great as the name of Snow White's lost eighth dwarf friend, but we can't recommend it as a first name IRL. It was the last name of Harry Potter character Mad-Eye Moody, played by Brenden Gleason in the movies; his given name was Alastor. The bond credit rating company Moody's is likewise named for the surname of its founder, John Moody.

Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.