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Which English surnames are the most common? A compilation of 70 common English surnames

Surnames in English are an important part of identifying which family you belong to in your country. In this article, let's explore the list of the 70 most common English surnames used. Check it out now with PREP!

1. I. The Origins of English Surnames
2. II. Compilation of English Surnames

I. The Origins of English Surnames

Let's explore the origins of English surnames with PREP in your family!

1.1. English Surnames Based on Family Ancestry

Naming English surnames based on the head of the family is the most common way. The simplest way to form these surnames is by adding the suffix "-son" or "-ott" to the abbreviated name of the family head, meaning "descendant of...". For example: "Richardson," "Stevenson," "Madison," "Emmott," "Marriott"...

1.2. English Surnames Based on Occupations

Adopting English surnames based on occupations became a naming trend in the 11th century. During the reign of King Edward the Confessor, names representing prestigious occupations of that time, such as "Mayor," and "Bishop," were favored and used as surnames.

Later on, this practice expanded to various other occupational fields. For example: "Farmer," "Fisher," "Glover," "Cooper," or even "Parker"...

1.3. English Surnames Based on Geography

Naming English surnames based on geographical locations is also quite common. Some names derived through this method are still popular today. For example: "Stone," "Wood," "Hill," "Forest"...

1.4. Most common English Surnames Based on Patronymics

In the West, surnames derived from patronymics hold great importance. It is not surprising that the names of revered saints are adopted as surnames. The most common examples include "Kilpatrick" from Saint Patrick, who was born in Scotland, or "Hickman" derived from the name of Robert Fitz-Hickman, a lord who owned extensive lands in Bloxham Wickham and Oxfordshire.

II. Compilation of English Surnames

Let's explore various English surnames together: common surnames, rare surnames, and noble surnames. Check them out below with PREP!

1. Common surnames

No	Common English last names	Meaning
1	Adams /ˈædəms/	Originating from "Adam," meaning "man" in Hebrew.
2	Allen /ˈælən/	Originating from "Allan," meaning "rock."
3	Anderson /ˈændərsən/	Originating from "Andrew," meaning "man" in Greek.
4	Atkinson /ˈætkɪnsən/	Derived from the name "Atkin," a variant of "Adam."
5	Bailey /ˈbeɪli/	Referring to people working as stewards or managers.
6	Baker /ˈbeɪkər/	Referring to people involved in trade or baking.
7	Ball /bɔːl/	A shortened version of "Baldwin.
8	Barker /ˈbɑːrkər/	Variant of "Berker," meaning "leatherworker.
9	Carter /ˈkɑːrtər/	Referring to people involved in carting or transporting goods.
10	Chapman /ˈtʃæpmən/	Referring to merchants or businessmen.
11	Clarke /klɑːrk/	Originating from "Clericus" in Latin, meaning "clerk.”
12	Davies /ˈdeɪviːz/	Derived from the Welsh language, a variant of "David," similar to "Davis" or "Davie."
13	Dawson /ˈdɔːsən/	Meaning "descendant of David."
14	Dixon /ˈdɪksən/	Variant of the Scottish surname "Dickson," meaning "descendant of Dick."
15	Edwards /ˈɛdwərdz/	Variant of "Edwardes" and "Edwardson," ancient English names from before the 7th century.
16	Elliott /ˈɛliət/	There are various different versions of the origin of the name "Elliott," with the most common being a medieval variant.
17	Evans /ˈɛvənz/	A shortened form of "Evanson," meaning "descendant of Evan," originating from Wales.
18	Fisher /ˈfɪʃər/	Referring to people involved in fisheries or fishing, with Scottish origins.
19	Fletcher /ˈflɛtʃər/	Derived from "Flechiera" in French, referring to a bowyer or crossbow maker.
20	Ford /fɔːrd/	Variant of the surname "O Fuartháin" from Ireland, referring to people living near a fortress.
21	Gibson /ˈɡɪbsən/	Originating from "Gilbert," meaning "descendant of Gilbert" or "descendant of Gib."
22	Graham /ɡreɪəm/	Variant of "Grahame" or "Graeme," an Old English word meaning "gray home."
23	Grant /ɡrænt/	Originating from "Graund" or "Graunt," meaning "tall" or "large."
24	Hall /hɔːl/	Originating from "Heall," "Halle," or "Holl," meaning "large area of land."
25	Hamilton /ˈhæməltən/	Originating from the village name Hamilton in Leicestershire, England.
26	Harris /ˈhærɪs/	Originating from "Harry" or "Henry," meaning "descendant of Henry" or "estate steward."
27	Jackson /ˈdʒæksən/	Meaning "descendant of Jackson."
28	James /dʒeɪmz/	Originating from "Jacob" in Hebrew, meaning "supplanter" or "follower."
29	Jenkins /ˈdʒɛnkɪns/	Originating from "John" in the language of Cornwall, England, meaning "God has given me a son."
30	Kelly /ˈkɛli/	Originating from "Ceallach," meaning "creative mind."
31	King /kɪŋ/	An ancient English origin, meaning "tribal leader."
32	Knight /naɪt/	Derived from "Cniht" used to denote a "servant" or "military leader" in Old English.
33	Knight /naɪt/	Variant of "Lea," "Leah," or "Leigh" in Old English, meaning "meadow" or "woodland."
34	Lee /li/	Originating from Wales, meaning "victorious" or "glory."
35	Lewis /ˈluːɪs/	Originating from "Martis" or "Mars," the Roman god of war.
36	Martin /ˈmɑːrtɪn/	A shortened form of "Matthewson," meaning "descendant of Matthew."
37	Matthews /ˈmæθjuːz/	Of French origin, a variant of Michael, meaning "gift from God."
38	Mitchell /ˈmɪtʃəl/	Originating from "Owain" in the Welsh language, meaning "noble" or "born of good fortune."
39	Owen /ˈoʊən/	Originating from Old English, referring to a "park keeper."
40	Parker /ˈpɑːrkər/	Originating from "Piers," meaning "descendant of Peter."
41	Pearson /ˈpɪrsən/	Meaning "strong" or "brave."
42	Richards /ˈrɪʧərdz/	Meaning "shining" or "famous."
43	Roberts /ˈrɒbərts/	Originating from various Anglo-Saxon and Norman regions, meaning "fame" or "renown."
44	Rogers /ˈrɒdʒərz/	Originating from "Stephanos" in Greek, meaning "crown" or "wreath."
45	Stewart /ˈstjʊərt/	Originating from "Stigeweard" in Old English, meaning "steward" or "supervisor."
46	Taylor /ˈteɪlər/	Originating from the British Isles, referring to people working as tailors.
47	Thomas /ˈtɒməs/	Meaning "twins."
48	Thompson /ˈtɒmpsən/	Scottish origin, meaning "descendant of Thom" or "descendant of Tom."
49	Walker /ˈwɔːkər/	German origin, meaning "walkers" or "pilgrims."
50	Watson /wˈɒtsən/	Scottish origin, meaning "descendant of Walter."

2. Rare and unique English surnames

Many rare English surnames can originate from specific geographical sources, uncommon occupations, or historical family fluctuations. Below are some rare English surnames.

Rare English surnames

Meaning

Forsythe

/fɔːrsaɪð/

A surname originating from Scotland.

Winthorpe

/wɪnθɔːp/

A relatively complex and uncommon surname.

Dunstan

/dʌnstən/

Originate from a historical personal name or place name.

Quillan

/kwɪlən/

A fairly rare English surname.

Hawthorn

/ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

May be related to the hawthorn tree.

Ainsworth

/eɪnzwərθ/

A surname originating from Italy.

Meriwether

/ˈmɛrɪˌwɛðər/

A surname originating from France.

Lancashire

/ˈlæŋkəʃər/

May be related to the Lancashire region in England.

Wainwright

/ˈweɪnraɪt/

A person who builds and repairs wagons and carts.

Stirling

/ˈstɜːrlɪŋ/

A surname originating from the Stirling region in Scotland.

3. Noble Surnames

Noble surnames in English often reflect the long-standing and prestigious status of a family in history. Below are some noble English surnames.

No	Noble Surname	Meaning
1	Windsor /ˈwɪnzər/	The surnames of the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II.
2	Cavendish /ˈkævəndɪʃ/	An English noble family, primarily known for branches like the Duke of Devonshire.
3	Percy /ˈpɜːrsi/	A noble surname originating from the region of Northumberland.
4	Spencer /ˈspɛnsər/	The surname of the Spencer family, related to the family of Prince William through Lady Diana.
5	Churchill /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪl/	Most famous for Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Britain during World War II.
6	Fitzgerald /ˈfɪtsdʒɛrəld/	A surname originating from Ireland and one of the longstanding noble families.
7	Montagu /ˈmɒntəɡjuː/	A surname originating from Normandy and has made significant contributions to the history of England.
8	Beaufort /ˈboʊfərt/	A noble surname related to the British royal family, particularly through John of Gaunt.
9	Howard /ˈhaʊərd/	One of the oldest and most powerful noble families in England.
10	Percival /ˈpɜːrsɪvəl/	A noble surname originating from Normandy and had a relatively long period of independence in English history.

This article has provided a compilation of 70 common and meaningful English surnames. PREP hopes that the shared list of English surnames will help you find a surname in English that you like and is suitable.

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