English Last Names

Still heavily associated with journalist Barbara Walters, whose Jewish family changed their name from Warmwater (Warmwasser) upon emigrating to the UK from Poland.

Likable English surname that is occasionally heard as a first name.

An appealing alternative to Hayden and Hayes, perhaps in homage to Old Hollywood actress Rita Hayward.

Skeat is a rare surname name that, like virtually every surname these days, is ripe for importation as a first.

Medieval nickname for Mary that became a surname, and could now be a rare but in-trend first name for both sexes.

Friendly-sounding name with big "Sweeney Todd" downside.

A last name as a first name that also has the feel of nicknames like Callie, Tully, Tally and Tilly, Cully could derive from an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Colla.

An English surname derived from the Old French taillis, this nature inspired choice could be an alternative to Wallis, Alice, Tallie, or Ellis. Other sources suggest it could derive from the Greek name Thales (TA-LEHS) meaning "to blossom".

Briggs, Riggs, Hayes, and Collins are all in style, and Higgins feels like it could fit into this category of cool, rugged last names. Derived from an Irish surname, it is the anglicized form of O Huginn, meaning "descendant of Vikings". As an English surname however, it possibly comes the given name Hugh, or from the nickname Hicke (a diminutive of Richard). In this case it could more figuratively mean "son of mind and spirit" or "son of the brave ruler".

A surname-style choice, Tench is derived from the Old French word tenche, which is the name for a type of freshwater carp. It likely originated as nickname, perhaps for someone who was a keen angler or who made their living catching tench. Rarely used as a given name, perhaps because of the possible rhymes, it could make an unusual middle name option to honor someone who enjoys fishing or who's into naval and military history, as a reference to Tench-class submarines.

A last name as a first name, Redell began to appear in England after the Norman invasion. Likely connected to the names Raymond and Radulf, it could mean "counsel, advice, decision". Another possible interpretation is that it merges the word red with the word dell to form the meaning "red valley". This could also mean it borrows from land feature in the Lake District of England, known as Red Dell.

A last name as a first name, Redell began to appear in England after the Norman invasion. Likely connected to the names Raymond and Radulf, it could mean "counsel, advice, decision". Another possible interpretation is that it merges the word red with the word dell to form the meaning "red valley". This could also mean it borrows from land feature in the Lake District of England, known as Red Dell.

Associated with a 16th century Gunpowder Plotter and a phoenix in the Harry Potter series, Fawkes, also spelled Vaulx, Vaux, and Faulks, comes from the Norman name Faulques, which in turn came from a Germanic nickname meaning "falcon". Theoretically, it could fit into the "last names as first names" trend, and with the rise of boy names ending in -s, such as Brooks and Banks, however, many might link it too closely with Guy Fawkes and in English-speaking countries it might sound too much like a piece of cutlery (or a swearword, perhaps).

Belles may look like a playful nickname to any of the stylish belle related names — and it could easily be used as such — however, it is also an occupational English surname, originally given to bell ringers, a Scottish surname meaning "handsome" or a French or Spanish word name meaning "beauties". It is currently rarely used as a given name.

A surname inspired choice, Rudell may be an English last name, derived from the town of Ryedale, or from the given name Rudolf. A high-end jewellery and watch brand in the UK, it was also borne by professional boxer Rudell Snitch.

Harris is a last-name name related, of course, to Harry and Harrison, in turn relatives of Henry. It's usually a male name, but Fox news anchor Harris Faulkner brought it to the female column. She may be unique: Fewer than five baby girls were named Harris in the US in 2023.

A rustic yet aristocratic boy name, derived from an English surname and place name. It derives from the Old English name Hræfn and the element wic to create the cool meaning "raven's settlement".

Holder, part occupational name and part Holden, is a rare word name. It brings to mind holding onto someone or something, which itself suggests a love for or connection to whatever is being held on to.

A surname style name of Dutch and Anglo-Saxon origin, which could make an interesting alternative to Ben or Bennett.