What's In A Name?
Last Names Explained

Except for Romans during a period of the Roman Empire, hereditary surnames, the last names passed down through the males of a family, didn't exist until about 1000 years ago. While it may be hard to believe in today's hustle and bustle, surnames just weren't necessary before that. In a world that was much less crowded than it is today -- a world where most folks never ventured more than a few miles from their place of birth and every man knew his neighbors -- first, or given names, were the only designations necessary. Even kings got by with a single name.

During the middle ages, as families got bigger and villages got a bit more crowded, individual names became inadequate to distinguish friends and neighbors from one another. One John might be called "John son of William" to distinguish him from his neighbor "John the smith" and his friend "John of the dale." These secondary names, weren't quite yet the surnames as we know them today, however, because they weren't passed down from father to son. "John son of William," for example, might have a son known as "Robert the fletcher (arrow maker)."

True surnames, hereditary names used to distinguish one person from another, first came into use in Europe about 1000 A.D., beginning in southern areas and gradually spreading northward. In many countries the use of hereditary surnames began with the nobility who often called themselves after their ancestral seats. Many of the gentry, however, did not adopt surnames until the 14th century, and it was not until about 1500 A.D. that most surnames became inherited and no longer transformed with a change in a person's appearance, job, or place of residence.

Surnames, for the most part, drew their meanings from the lives of men in the Middle Ages, and can be divided into four main categories:

Patronymic Surnames
Patronymics, names derived from a father's name, were widely used in forming surnames, especially in the Scandinavian countries. Rarely, the name of the mother contributed the surname, which is referred to as a matronymic surname. Such names were formed by adding a prefix or suffix denoting either "son of" or "daughter of." English and Scandinavian names ending in "son" are patronymic surnames, as are many names prefixed with the Gaelic "Mac," the Norman "Fitz," the Irish "O," and the Welsh "ap."
Examples: The son of John (JOHNSON), son of Donald (MACDONALD), son of Gerald (FITZGERALD), son of Brien (O'BRIEN), son of Howell (ap HOWELL).

Place Names
One of the most common ways to distinguish one man from his neighbor was to use a geographical designation, creating a class of local surnames derived from the place of residence of the bearer. Such names denoted some of the earliest instances of surnames in France, and were quickly introduced into England by the Norman nobility who chose names based on the locations of their ancestral estates. If a person or family migrated from one place to another, they were often identified by the place they came from. If they lived near a river, rock, hill, or other geographic feature, this would be used. Some surnames can still be traced back to their exact place of origin, such as a particular city or county, while others have origins lost in obscurity (ATWOOD lived near a wood, but we don't know which one). Compass directions were yet another common geographic identification in the Middle Ages (EASTMAN, WESTWOOD). Most geographic-based surnames are easy to spot, though the evolution of language has made others less obvious, i.e. DUNLOP (muddy hill).  Examples: NORMAN was from Normandy; BROOKS lived along a brook; CHURCHILL lived near a church on a hill; NEVILLE came from Neville-Seine-Maritime, France or Neuville (New Town), a common place name in France; PARRIS came from -- you guessed it -- Paris, France.

Descriptive Names (Nicknames)
Another class of surnames, those derived from a physical or other characteristic of first bearer, make up an estimated 10% of all family names. These descriptive names are thought to have originally evolved as nicknames during the Middle Ages when a man, familiar with everyone in his small village, might jokingly create nicknames for his neighbors and friends based on personality or physical appearance. Thus, Michael the strong became Michael STRONG and black-haired Peter became Peter BLACK. Sources for such nicknames included: an unusual size or shape of the body, bald heads, facial hair, physical deformities, distinctive facial features, skin or hair coloring, and even emotional disposition.

Examples: STOUT, a large person; BROADHEAD, a person with a large head; BAINES (bones), a thin man; MOODY, a moody individual; ARMSTRONG, strong in the arm

Occupational Names
The last class of surnames to develop reflect the occupation or status of the first bearer. These occupational names, derived from the specialty crafts and trades of the medieval period, are fairly self-explanatory. A MILLER was essential for grinding flour from grain, a WAINWRIGHT was a wagon builder, and BISHOP was in the employ of a Bishop. Different surnames often developed from the same occupation based on the language of the country of origin (MÜLLER, for example, is German for Miller). When researching occupational surnames, the most important point is to remember that most evolved during the Middle Ages, based on the occupations and trades of the time, so some are not what they may seem. A FARMER, for example, was not an agricultural worker, but instead collected taxes. 
Examples: ALDERMAN, an official clerk of the court; TAYLOR, one that makes, alters, and repairs garments; CARTER, a maker/driver of carts; OUTLAW, an outlaw or criminal.

Despite these basic surname classifications, many surnames of today seem to defy explanation. The majority of these are probably corruptions of the original surnames -- variations that have become disguised almost beyond recognition. Surname spelling and pronunciation has evolved over many centuries, often making it hard for current generations to determine the origin and evolution of their surnames. Such derivations of family names, resulting from ignorance of spelling, variations in pronunciation, or merely from the preference of the bearer, tend to confound both genealogists and etymologists. It is fairly common for different branches of the same family to carry different surnames as the majority of English and American surnames have, in their history, appeared in four to more than a dozen variant spellings. Therefore, when researching the origin of your surname, it is important to work your way back through the generations in order to determine the original family name, as the surname that you carry now may have an entirely different meaning than the surname of your distant ancestor. It is also important to remember that some surnames, though their origins may appear obvious, aren't what they seem. BANKER, for example, is not an occupational surname, instead meaning "dweller on a hillside."

100 Most Common Surnames And Their Origins

SMITH
Definition: Derived from the Anglo-Saxon "smitan," to smite or strike, SMITH and its derivations are an occupational name for a man who works with metal (smith or blacksmith), one of the earliest jobs for which specialist skills were required. It is a craft that was practiced in all countries, making the surname and its derivations the most common of all surnames. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: SMYTH, SMYTHE, SCHMIDT

JOHNSON
Definition: English patronymic name meaning "son of John (gift of God)." JONES is the common Welsh version of this surname. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: JOHNSTON, JONSON, JONSEN, JOHANSON, JOHNSTONE

WILLIAMS
Definition: 1) Son or descendant of Guillemin, a pet form of Guillaume, the French form of William. 2) From the Belgic "guild-helm," harnessed with a gilded helmet or "welhelm," the shield or defense of many. 3) Derived from the given name "William," an Old French given name with Germanic elements: wil = desire, will; and helm = helmet, protection. Surname Origin: Norman   Alternate Surname Spellings: WILLIAM, WILLIMON, WILLIMAN, WILLIAMSON

JONES
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of John (God has favored or gift of God)." The most common surname in Wales. JOHNSON is a common English version of this surname. Surname Origin: Welsh, English

BROWN
Definition: Brown haired or brown skinned. Brown was derived from complexion, color of hair, or garments, and is consequently, a very common surname. Includes a number of derivatives in many countries. Surname Origin: Various Alternate Surname Spellings: BROWNE, BROWNING

DAVIS
Definition: Son of David (beloved). Surname Origin: English, Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: DAVIES (Welsh), DAVID, DAVIDSON, DAVISON

MILLER
Definition: 1- Usually an occupational surname referring to a person who owned or worked in a grain mill. 2- Could also possibly be derived in some instances from the Gaelic words "meillear," having large lips; "malair," merchant; or "maillor," a man wearing armor or a soldier. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: MILLAR, MILLS

WILSON
Definition: Son of Will, a nickname for William. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: WILLSON, WILSONE

MOORE
Definition: 1- One who lived at or near a moor or marshy bog. 2- From the Old French, meaning son of Moor, a dark-complexioned man 3- From "Mor," great, chief, mighty, proud. 4- Derived from the given name "Maurus," meaning "dark skinned." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: MORES, MORE, MOARS, MOOR, MOAR

TAYLOR
Definition: An English occupational name for a tailor, from Old French "tailleur" for "tailor" which comes from the Latin "taliare," meaning "to cut." It is among the most commonly found surnames, due to its popularity as a medieval occupation. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: TAYLER, TAILOUR, TAYLOUR, TAILLEUR, TAILOR

ANDERSON
Definition: Patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew." Andrew (man, manly) was the first of Jesus' disciples, and was a revered name in medieval times due to its church connections. St. Andrew is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia. Many Danes, Norwegians and Swedes who emigrated to America with the last name Andersson or Anderssen, dropped the extra -S after their arrival. Surname Origin: Danish, Norwegian, English, Swedish Alternate Surname Spellings: ANDERSON, ANDERSSON, ANDERSSEN, MCANDREWS

THOMAS
Definition: Derived from a popular medieval first name, THOMAS comes from an Aramaic term for "twin." The first letter of the name was originally the Greek "theta" which accounts for the TH spelling. Surname Origin: Various Alternate Surname Spellings: TOMAS, THOMASON, TOMASON

JACKSON
Definition: Patronymic name meaning "son of Jack." Jack may be a diminutive of John or James, or a derivation of the Old French given name Jacque, the French form of Jacob. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: JACKS

WHITE
Definition: A descriptive or nickname given to a person with very light hair or complexion, from the Middle English "whit," meaning "white." The name may be also local, derived from the Isle of Wight, on the coast of Hampshire. Surname Origin: English, Scottish, Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: WHYTE, WHIET

HARRIS
Definition: Son of Harry. Harry is a derivation of Henry, meaning "home ruler." Surname Origin: English, Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: HARRISON

MARTIN
Definition: Patronymic surname taken from the ancient Latin given name Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war. Surname Origin: Various Alternate Surname Spellings: MARTINS, MARTINEZ, MARTEN, MARTYN, MARTINE

THOMPSON
Definition: Patronymic name meaning "son of the man known as Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive form of Thomas (twin)." Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: THOMSON, THOMASON, TOMPSON, THOMPSEN, TOMASON

GARCIA
Definition: Surname is of uncertain origin but could possibly have and of the following meanings: 1) From a medieval given name meaning "like a fox." 2) a descendant of Garcia, Spanish form of Gerald 3) one who came from Garcia, in Spain. According to Elsdon C. Smith, the name Garcia could mean either "descendant of Garcia, Spanish form of Gerald" or "one who came from Garcia, in Spain." Surname Origin: Spanish   Alternate Surname Spellings: GARCI, GARZA, GARCIA, GARCES

MARTINEZ
Definition: A patronymic surname meanign "son of Martin." Martin is from the Latin "Martinus," a derivitive of "Mars," the Roman god of fertility and war. Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: MARTINS, MARTINSON

ROBINSON
Definition: 1- Son of Robbin or Robin 2- Derived from the Polish word "rabin," meaning rabbi.  Surname Origin: English, Jewish Alternate Surname Spellings: ROBESON, ROBISON

CLARK
Definition: Cleric, clerk, or scholar - one who can read and write. Also from the Gaelic "Mac a' Chlerich/Cleireach"; son of the cleric or, sometimes, clerk. During the Middle Ages, the common pronunciation of -er was -ar, so the man who sold items was the marchant, and the man who kept the books was the clark. At the time, the primary members of the literate class were the clergy, which in minor orders were allow to marry and have families. The term clerk eventually (clark) came to designate any literate man. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: CLARKE, CLERK, CLERKE

RODRIGUEZ
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of Rodrigo." The "ez or es" added to the root signifies "descendant of." The given name Rodrigo is the Spanish form of Roderick, meaning "famous power," from the Germanic elements "hrod, fame and "ric," power.
Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: RODIGRUE, RODRIQUES

LEWIS
Definition: Derived from the Germanic given name Lewis, meaning "reknowned, famous battle."  Surname Origin: English

LEE
Definition: 1) The surname LEA, including the common alternate spelling LEE,was originally given to a person who lived in or near a "laye," Middle English meaning 'clearing in the woods.' 2) Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Liathain.". 3) LEE means "plum tree" in Chinese. Surname Origin: English, Irish, Chinese Alternate Surname Spellings: LEA, LEIGH

WALKER
Definition: Occupational surname for a fuller, or person who walked on damp raw cloth in order to thicken it. Derived from the Middle English "walkcere," meaning "a fuller of cloth," and derived from the Old English "wealcan," to walk or tread. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: WALLKER

HALL
Definition: A place name derived from various words for "large house," usually used to signify someone who lived in or worked in a hall or manor house. It could also possibly be an old Norse word for "boulder, slope" thus meaning someone who lived on a slope.

ALLEN
Definition: From "aluinn," meaning fair or handsome. Surname Origin: Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: ALAN, ALLAN

YOUNG
Definition: Derived from the Old English word "geong," meaning"young," this surname was used as a descriptive name to distinguish father from son or to the younger of two relatives with the same first name (similar to the usage of Junior). Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: YOUNGE, YOUNGE, YONG

HERNANDEZ
Definition: Son of Hernando," or "Son of Fernando," the Spanish form of the Old German name Ferdinand, meaning "bold voyager." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: HERNANDES

KING
Definition: 1) From the Old English "cyning,"originally meaning "tribal leader," this nickname was commonly bestowed on a man who carried himself like royalty, or who played the part of the king in a medieval pageant. 2) Occasionally, the name was given to a man who served in a royal household. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: KINGE

WRIGHT
Definition: An occupational name meaning "craftsman, builder," from the Old English "wryhta" meaning "worker." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: RIGHT, RITE, WRITE, WRYTE, WRAIGHT

LOPEZ
Definition: A patronymical surname meaning "son of Lope." Lope comes from the Spanish form of Lupus, a Latin name meaning "wolf." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: LOPES, LOPAZ, LOPAS

HILL
Definition: 1) One who lives on or near a hill, derived from Old English "hyll." 2) corruption of German "hild," meaning "battle." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: HILLS, HILLE, HYLL, HYLLE

SCOTT
Definition: An ethnic or geographical name signifying a native from Scotland or a person who spoke Gaelic. Surname Origin: Scottish, English Alternate Surname Spellings: SCOT, SCOTTE, SCOTTEN, SCHOTT, SCOTH, SCUTT

GREEN
Definition: 1) One who dwelled at, or near, the village green, or other grassy ground. 2) immature, inexperienced Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: GREENE

ADAMS
Definition: From the Hebrew personal name Adam which was borne, according to Genesis, by the first man. Uncertain entymology. Possibly from the Hebrew word adama meaning "earth", connecting to the Greek legend that Zeus fashioned the first human beings from earth. Surname Origin: Hebrew Alternate Surname Spellings: ADAMSON (Scottish), ADIE (Scottish), ADAMI (Italian), ADAMINI (Italian), ADCOCKS (English)

BAKER
Definition: Occupational name which originated in medieval times from the name of the trade, baker. From the Saxon "bacan," to dry by heat. Surname Origin: Saxon Alternate Surname Spellings: BAXTER, BECKER, BAXLEY, BACKSTER, PACKER

GONZALES
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of Gonzalo." The given name "Gonzalo" comes from the medieval name Gundisalvus, which was the Latin form of a Germanic name composed of the elements "gund," meaning "war" and "salv" which is of unknown meaning. Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: GONZALEZ, CONZALAZ, GONZALAS, GONZALAZ, GONSALES, GONCALEZ, GONCALES

NELSON
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of Nell," a form of the Irish name Neal which means "champion." Surname Origin: Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: NEILSON, NEALSON, NILSON, NILSEN, NILSSON

CARTER
Definition: An English occupational name for the transporter of goods by cart or wagon. From the Anglo-Norman French "caretier," a derivative of Old French "caret" which originally meant "carrier." Another possible derivation comes from "cairtear," a Gaelic term for tourist or sojourner. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: MCCARTER

MITCHELL
Definition: A common form or corruption of Michael, meaning "big." Surname Origin: English, Irish, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: MITCHEL

PEREZ
Definition: 1) A patronymic name derived from Pero, Pedro, Petrus, Petros, etc. - meaning "son of Pero." The suffix "ez" means "descendant of" in Spanish. It is also believed that PEREZ comes from the apostle Simon, whom Jesus called "rock" (Pedro in Spanish means "rock") in tribute to his designation as the "rock" or foundation of the church. 2) Possibly derived from the name of the pear tree, "peral." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: PERES, PERET, PERETZ, PERETS, PHAREZ, PAREZ, PERIS

TURNER
Definition: An English occupational name, meaning "one who works with a lathe." Originally from Old French. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: TOURNIER, TURNEY, DOERNER, DURNER, TARNER, TERNER, TOURNEAU

PHILLIPS
Definition: A patronymic surname meaning "Son of Phillip." The given name Phillip comes from the Greek name Philippos which means "friend of horses," composed of the elements philos "friend" and hippos "horse." Surname Origin: Greek Alternate Surname Spellings: PHILIPS, PHILLIP, PHILIP

CAMPBELL
Definition: Crooked or wry mouth, a man whose mouth inclined a little on one side. From the Gaelic "cam" meaning crooked or distorted and " beul" for mouth. Gillespie O Duibhne was the first to have borne the name, and founded clan Campbell at the beginning of the 13th century. Surname Origin: Celtic, Gaelic Alternate Surname Spellings: CAMBELL

PARKER
Definition: Old French for "keeper of the park," PARKER is an English nickname used for a man who was gamekeeper at a medieval park.

EVANS
Definition: 1) A patronymic name meaning "son of Evan." 2) from the Welsh name Ifan, a cognate of John, meaning "gracious gift of Jehovah."

EDWARDS
Definition: Son of Edward. The singular form of Edward means "prosperous guardian." Surname Origin: Saxon Alternate Surname Spellings: EDWARD, EDWART

COLLINS
Definition: 1) A double diminutive of Nicholas (in England). 2) From "cuilein," darling, a term of endearment applied to young animals.. In the Welsh, Collen signifies hazel--a hazel-grove, and the Gaelic version of the name COLLINS name is O' Coileáin, which means a young dog. Surname Origin: Gaelic Alternate Surname Spellings: COLLIN, COLLING, COLLINGS, COLLEN, COLLENS

STEWART
Definition: An occupational name for a steward or manager of a household or estate; or one who had charge of a king's or important noble's household. From Middle English "stiward." Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: STUART, STEWARD

SANCHEZ
Definition: A patronymic derived from the given name Sancho, meaning "sanctified." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: SANCHES

MORRIS
Definition: 1- Dark, swarthy 2- Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Muirgheasa". Surname Origin: English, Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: MORRISS, MORISSH, MORCE, MORSE

ROGERS
Definition: 1) A patronymic name derived from the given name Roger, meaning "son of Roger." Roger means "famous spear" from the Germanic elements hrod "fame" and ger "spear." 2) Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Ruadhraigh." Surname Origin: English, French Alternate Surname Spellings: RODGERS, ROGERSON, ROGER, ROGARS

REED
Definition: A descriptive or nickname signifying a person with a red face or red hair. From Old English "read." Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: REID, RIED, READ, READE, REEDE

COOK
Definition: An English occupational name for a cook, a man who sold cooked meats, or the keeper of an eating house. Derived from Old English "coc" meaning cook. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: COOKE, COKE

MORGAN
Definition: Derived from the given name Morgan, from "mor", the sea, and "gan," born. Surname Origin: Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: MORGEN, MORGAIN, MORGAINE

BELL
Definition: The name may derive from the French "bel," meaning fair , beautiful, or handsome. Since the derivation is descriptive, common ancestry cannot be assumed for all those bearing the surname. The name was sometimes taken from the sign of an inn or shop. The sign of a bell was frequently used - "John at the Bell" became "John Bell." There is no particular country or province of origin, though the name was fairly prevalent in medieval Scotland and England. Surname Origin: Various Alternate Surname Spellings: BELLE, BEALE, BEAL, BEALS, BEALES, BALE, BEEL, BIEHL, BALE, BEALL

MURPHY
Definition: A modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Murchadha," which means "descendant of sea warrior" in Gaelic. Surname Origin: Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: MURPHEY

BAILEY
Definition: A crown official or officer of the king in county or town. Keeper of a royal building or house. A person of high rank. From the Old French for "bailiff" and/or the Scottish term "bailie," a municipal officer corresponding to an English alderman. Surname Origin: Scottish, French Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: BAILIE, BAILLIE

RIVERA
Definition: 1) A name bestowed on a person who lived on a riverbank. 2) The Rivera surname can be traced back to Gonzalo López de Rivera, Lord of the Castle of Rivera in Galicia in the 1200's. Some sources, however, claim that the Riveras are direct descendants of Sancho Belloso, natural-born son of the King of León, Ramiro III. Others, that the name dates back to ancient Roman times. Source: Instituto Genealógico e Histórico Latinoamericano Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: RIBERA

COOPER
Definition: An English occupational name for one who made and sold casks, buckets and tubs.   Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: KOOPER, KOEPER, KUPFER, COOPERS, COOPERMAN, COPER, COOBER, COOPEY, COPPER

RICHARDSON
Definition: DA patronymic name meaning "son of Richard." The given name Richard is Germanic in origin, composed of the elements ric = power and hard = hardy, brave, and means "powerful and brave." Example: Richard the Lion Hearted Surname Origin: English
Alternate Surname Spellings: RICHARDS, RICHARDSEN, RICHERDSON

COX
Definition: Form of COCK (little), -a term of endearment (i.e. WILLCOX, little Will), often used to denote a leader or chief man. 2) Possibly originated from the Welsh word "coch," meaning "red." 3) Could also be a locality descriptive surname for "heap, haycock, or hillcock. Surname Origin: English, French, Welsh, Irish  Alternate Surname Spellings: Cocks

HOWARD
Definition: Several possible origins include: 1) Derived from the Old Germanic name "hugihard", denoting one strong of heart, or very brave. 2) Derived from Germanic term "howart," meaning "high chief," "warden," or "chief warden." 3) From "hof-ward," the keeper of a hall Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: HAYWARD

WARD
Definition: 1) An occupational name for a "guard or watchman," from Old English "weard" = guard. 2) A geographical name for a person who lived near a guardhouse or fortress. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: WARDE, WARDMAN, WORDMAN, WARDS

TORRES
Definition: A name given to a person who lived in or near a tower, from the Latin "turris." Surname Origin: Spanish, Portugese Alternate Surname Spellings: TORREZ, TORES, TOREZ

PETERSON
Definition: A patronymic surname meaning "son of Peter." The given name Peter is derived from the Greek "petros" meaning "stone." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: PETERS, PETERSEN, PETERSSON, PETERSSEN, PETERZEN

GRAY
Definition: Nickname for a man with gray hair, or a gray beard, from Old English groeg, meaning grey. 2) A place name, for one who originated in Graye in Calvados, from Latin gratus = welcome. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: GREY, LEGREY

RAMIREZ
Definition: A patronymic name meaning " son of Ramon (wise protector)." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: RAMIRES

JAMES
Definition: Patronymic name derived from "Jacob" and usually meaning "son of Jacob." In English, Jacob and James are distinctly separate names, but throughout the rest of the world, the two are used interchangeably. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: JAMESON, JAMISON, JAMIESON

WATSON
Definition: A patronymic surname meaning "son of Watt." The popular Middle English given names Wat or Watt were pet forms of the name Walter, meaning "ruler of the army." From the elements "wald" = rule and "heri" = army. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: WATTIS, WATTS, WATTSON

BROOKS
Definition: Derivation of "brook," or a small stream. Also a name given to those who came from Brooksbank, the name of several places in England derived from Middle English "brokes" for brook and "bank" for bank. Just about as many origins as there are streams. Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: BROOK, BROKE, BROOKING, BROOKINGS, BROOKSBANK

KELLY
Definition: 1) Descendant of War 2) Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'Ceallaigh." Surname Origin: Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: KELLIE

SANDERS
Definition: A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Sander," a medieval form of "Alexander." Alexander comes from the Greek name "Alexandros," meaning "defender of men" from Greek alexein "to defend, help" and aner "man." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: SANDERSON, SANDER

PRICE
Definition: A patronymic name derived from the Welsh "ap Rhys," meaning "son of Rhys." The given name Rhys means "enthusiasm" in Welsh. Surname Origin: Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: PRYCE

BENNETT
Definition: From the medieval given name Benedict, originating from the Latin "benedictus" meaning "blessed." Surname Origin: Various Alternate Surname Spellings: BENNET, BENEDICT, BENNEDICK, BENDICK

WOOD
Definition: 1) Originally used to describe a person who lived in or worked in a wood or forest. Derived from Middle English "wode." 2) Possibly derived from the Old English "wad," meaning crazed or crazy, the name was sometimes used to describe someone considered mad or violent. 3) An ancient Scottish surname, first called De Bosco, because the family bore trees in their coat of arms. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: WOODE, WOODS

BARNES
Definition: Of the barn (barley house), this British surname is often derived from a significant barn in the local region. A possibly alternative origin can be suggeste by the parish of Barnes in Aberdeenshire, Scotland which derives its name from the Gaelic word "bearn," meaning "gap." Surname Origin: English, Scottish
Alternate Surname Spellings: BARNS, BERNES

ROSS
Definition: The Ross surname has Gaelic origins and, depending upon the origin of the family, could have several different meanings. 1) From "ros," a peninsula, isthmus, or promontory; signifying someone who lived on a headland. 2) From "rhos," Welsh for "moor or bog"; signifying someone who lived near a moor. 3) From "rose" and "rosh," signifying a valley or dale between hills. 4)A descriptive name from the Middle English "rous," meaning "red-haired." 5) From the district of Ross, in Scotland. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: Rosse

HENDERSON
Definition: Patronymic name meaning "son of Henry." The given name "Henry" means "home ruler." Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: HENDERSEN, HENSON

COLEMAN
Definition:  1) An occupational name, a coleman was a man who gathered charcoal (from Old English "col," coal and "mann," man) or, sometimes, a name for the personal servant of a man named Cole. 2) A patronymic name from the Old Irish given name Colman, from Columbun (from Latin columba, meaning "dove"). Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: COLMAN

JENKINS
Definition: Double diminuitive of "John."

PERRY
Definition: 1- A local surname derived from the Old English word "pirige" or "pyrige," meaning pear tree, denoting a "dweller by the pear-tree." 2- Possibly derived from the old French "perrier" or "perrieur," for quarry, in which case it denoted one who worked in a quarry or who lived in a rocky location. Surname Origin: English, French Alternate Surname Spellings: PIRRIE, PERY, PEERY

POWELL
Definition: A contraction of the Welsh "Ap Howell," meaning "son of Howell." The given name Howell is an anglicized form of Hywel, meaning "eminent" in Welsh. Surname Origin: Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: POWEL, POUEL, POWELLS, PAUWEL, PAUWELS, POWELS

LONG
Definition: A nickname often give to a man who was especially tall and lanky.

PATTERSON
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of Patrick." The given name Patrick is from the Roman name Patricius, which meant "nobleman" in Latin. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: PATRICKSON, PATERSON, PATERSEN, PATTERSEN, BATTERSON

HUGHES
Definition: 1) Son of Hugh (Hugh is a Germanic name meaning "heart/mind," often after Saint Hugh. 2) Possibly a modern form of the ancient Irish name "O'HAY." Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings: HUGH, HUGHE

FLOREZ
Definition: The surname FLORES has existed in Spain since the 12th century, but a common origin has not been found. It is most likely derived from the given name Floro, meaning "flower." Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: Spellings: FLOREZ, FROYLEZ, FROLAZ

WASHINGTON
Definition: Derived from the English place name WASHINGTON, the name of a parish in Durham, five miles from Gateshead, and also of a parish in Sussex, ten miles from Shoreham. The original bearer of this surname therefore, could have hailed from either of these places. The place name itself is derived from the Old English personal name "Wassa," combined with the locative suffix "thn", meaning "settlement, homestead." Another possible derivation for the place name comes from "weis," a wash, a creek setting in from the sea, the shallow part of a river; "ing," a meadow or low ground; and "ton," for dun, a hill or town--the town on a wash or creek.

BUTLER
Definition: 1) An occupational surname derived from the Old French "bouteillier," meaning servant in charge of the wine cellar. 2) In Normandy, descendants of Theobald Walter (who died in 1206) took the surname of De Boteler or Butler, to mark his service as chief Butler of Ireland, an office conferred upon him by Henry II for his services to the kingdom. Surname Origin: English, Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: BOTELER, DE BOTELER

SIMMONS
Definition: The specific etymology of the SIMMONS surname has been difficult to establish. Several possible origins include: 1) Possibly derived from the Biblical name Simon or Simund, from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Shim'on which meant "hearkening" or "listening." 2) A possible evolution of the name SEAMAN, meaning "navigator or sailor." Surname Origin: English, German, French Alternate Surname Spellings: SIMOND, SIMMONDS, SYMONDS, SIMONS, SIMMANCE, SIMMENCE, SEMMENS, SEAMANS

FOSTER
Definition: 1) Foster-child or foster-parent 2) a forester 3) shearer or scissors maker (from Old French " forceter") Surname Origin: English, French Alternate Surname Spellings: FORSTER, FORESTER, FORRESTER

GONZALES
Definition: A patronymic name meaning "son of Gonzalo." The given name "Gonzalo" comes from the medieval name Gundisalvus, which was the Latin form of a Germanic name composed of the elements "gund," meaning "war" and "salv" which is of unknown meaning. Surname Origin: Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: GONZALEZ, CONZALAZ, GONZALAS, GONZALAZ, GONSALES, GONCALEZ, GONCALES

BRYANT
Definition: A variation of the English surname BRYAN, from the Celtic given name Brian, containing a Celtic element, "bre," which means "hill." Surname Origin: English, Celtic Alternate Surname Spellings: BRIAN, BRIEN, BRIANT, BRIENT, BRYAN, O'BRIEN, BRYAND

ALEXANDER
Definition: Helper of mankind, defender of men. Of Greek origin, but most commonly found in Scotland. MACALLISTER is a common derivation. Surname Origin: Greek, Scottish, English Alternate Surname Spellings: ALEXANDRE, ALESANDER, ALESANDRE, ALAXANDAIR, ALASDAIR, ALEXANDAR

RUSSELL
Definition: A patronymic name derived from the given name "Rousel," old French for someone with red hair or a red face. Surname Origin: English, Scottish, Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: RUSSEL, RUSELL

GRIFFIN
Definition: 1) A descriptive name given to a man whose qualities or disposition resembled the mythical creature of the same name. 2) Griffwn, in Welsh, means "crooked nose" or "hawk's beak." 3) "Gryffyn", in the Cornish British, means "to give." 4) GRIFFIN may also be a variation of GRIFFITH or GRIFFETH from the Middle Welsh "Gruffudd," where "udd" means chief or lord. Surname Origin: Welsh Alternate Surname Spellings: GRIFFWN, GRIFFITH, GRIFFETH, GRIFFEN

DIAZ
Definition: The surname DIAZ comes from the Latin "dies" which means "days." Although it is a common Hispanic surname, it is believed to have Jewish origins, predating the Hispanic world. Related to the Spanish surname DIEGO. Surname Origin: Portugese, Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings: DIAS

HAYES
Definition: An English or Scottish place name for a man who lived near an enclosure ("haeg") or "heye," an area of forest fenced off for hunting.. The surname may also have been derived from the old English "haes" or the old French word "heis," both meaning "brushwood." Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings: HAY, HAYE, HAYS, HEAS, HEYES, HIGHES, O'HEA, HEASE, HEYES, HEISE

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