English Last Names

An English place name and surname derived from the name of the River Exe, which runs mainly in Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England. The river's name simply means "water" from Brythonic uisk.

Other occupational names would be more commonly accepted, though the Mad Men character has certainly brought it to the fore.

Common as a surname, not advisable for a first.

The 'ley' ending makes this British surname name ripe for consideration as a feminine girls' name. Brinsley joins such sisters as Kinsley and Tinsley.

Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.

Long-used surname name that's up for promotion to greater popularity.

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.

Unusual, serious, no-nonsense occupational surname that could be borrowed from the boys.

Notable British surname associated with fashion designer Vivienne.

This English surname was originally a nickname for someone with a pock-marked face. It's a less-than-ideal meaning, but Greeley's upbeat sound and modern unisex style keep it on our lists.

A distinguished English occupational surname referring to a senior official who managed the household of a noble or monarch. The best known historical bearer is British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who was in office at the start of the Second World War.

Chosen by Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher as the middle name of their son Dimitri.

A very literal sounding occupational surname, borne by the husband of Jennifer Lawrence, art gallery director Cooke Maroney.

Pittsburgh's Mellon family — founders of Mellon Financial Corporation and Carnegie Mellon University, among other things — gives their surname old money panache. They are Irish by heritage, giving their surname the meaning "descendant of Meallán", Meallán being an Irish given name from the word for "pleasant".

Blunt. Stick to Hunter.

Plummer might be an occupational name for someone who works with pipes -- yes, like a plumber -- or with feathers, from the Olde English (from the French) plume. Or it could indicate someone who lived near a plum tree.

A unique alternative to the West- names that are suddenly everywhere — like Weston, Westley, and West itself. Westwood lends itself to two stylish nicknames, West and Woods.

Larimer is an occupational surname that originally denoted someone who made and sold spur bits, along with other equine hardware. It could be a fitting choice for a child of a horse-enthusiast.

This common English surname is rarely used as a first. The S ending makes it a preppy way to update Andrew.

English surname used as one of the middles for Boris Becker's son Amadeus.