> Find a Surname> Meanings & Origins

First Names (6) Naming Patterns @

Glossary of Last Name Meanings & Origins
Find surname origins and meanings, plus research links, common last name spelling variations, and surname search tips for last names of American, English, Irish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Scottish, and Jewish origin.

How to Trace the Origin of Your Surname
Learn about the origins and history of surnames, plus how to find out where your surname came from and what it might mean.

English Surnames - Meanings & Origins
Uncover the meaning of your English last name with this free guide to English surname meanings and origins. Includes a list of 100 of the most popular English surnames, plus links to related English genealogy resources.

French Surname Meanings & Origins
Discover the meanings of common French surnames, and learn how French surnames originally came about. Learn which suffixes and prefixes may provide clues to a surname's origin and about the practice of adopting alias surnames or dit names.

German Surname Meanings & Origins
With roots in the Germanic middle ages, German surnames have been around since the 1100s. Learn about German farm names and how many German surnames have been changed to make it easier for others to pronounce. Plus, the meaning of the 50 most common German surnames.

Irish Surname Meanings & Origins
Discover the meaning of your Irish last name, and find where in Ireland these Irish surnames are most commonly found.

Italian Surname Meanings
Uncover your Italian heritage with this guide to the origins of Italian last names. It covers alias names and the meanings of common Italian name suffixes and prefixes, plus a list of common Italian surnames and their meanings.

Polish Surname Meanings & Origins
Learn how many Polish surnames developed, plus the meaning and origin of many common Polish surnames.

Scottish Surnames - Meanings & Origins
Anderson, Campbell, MacDonald, Scott, Smith, Stewart... Are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 100 common Scottish last names? If so, then check out this list to learn more about your Scottish surname's meaning and origins.

Spanish Surname Meanings & Origins
Hispanic surnames can be especially important to genealogists because children are commonly given two surnames, one from each parent. Learn about this practice and other clues found in Spanish surnames, plus the meaning and origin of common Spanish surnames.

Presidential Surname Meanings & Origins
Do the surnames of U.S. Presidents really have more prestige than your average Smith and Jones? Learn the meaning and origin of each of the surnames carried by the US Presidents.

The Relevance of Surnames in Genealogy
Information Leaflet No. 7 from the Society of Genealogists in London discusses the development, origins and distribution of surnames in Great Britian, along with a bit on spelling variations and surname changes.

Surname-Origins-L Mailing List
A free mailing list for the discussion of surname origins including the etymology (word origin) of surnames, as well as the geographic origins of surnames.

Surnames - The Origins of Family Names
An interesting genealogy article on the origins and meanings behind today's surnames by Ron Collins.

Last Name Meanings Dictionary
Search this free database for the meaning and ethnic origin of various surnames from the United States, Germany, France, Ireland and England.