Surname Boy Names
2613 surname boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for girl names instead? Surname Girl Names →
Say a surname out loud and it sounds like someone shaking your hand. That handshake quality is exactly why parents keep circling back to surname boy names — they arrive already grown up, with none of the sing-song softness that some parents worry a boy will outgrow by second grade. The rugged American end of the shelf is the busiest: Colter, Nash, Cash and Dallas all sound like open highway and denim, and they pair effortlessly with almost any last name you can throw at them. There is grit in the consonants and no fuss anywhere in sight.
The quieter side of the category is where the real treasures hide. Ellis and Warren have a gentle, bookish steadiness that has quietly come back into fashion; Bowen and Callan bring a Celtic lilt that softens the whole thing; Emerson feels thoughtful without being precious. And if you want a surname with a bit of swagger, Lennox and Callahan are the ones people remember at introductions — both long enough to feel substantial, both with an obvious short form waiting in the wings for the toddler years.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Surname Boy Names
Carter#45 in the U.S.One who drives a cart; transporter of goods; from Middle English cartare (cart driver)▶Logan#53 in the U.S.Little hollow; small cove; from Scottish Gaelic lagan (little hollow in a hill), diminutive of ▶Cameron#76 in the U.S.Crooked nose; from Scottish Gaelic camshron (cam: crooked + sron: nose)▶Sawyer#122 in the U.S.One who saws wood; from Middle English saghiere (sawyer), occupational surname for a lumber wor▶Colter#157 in the U.S.Colt herder; one who tends young horses▶Hayden#161 in the U.S.Hay valley or hedged valley; from Old English haeg (hay or hedge) + denu (valley)▶Callan#190 in the U.S.Descendant of Cathalán; battle-mighty▶Baker#217 in the U.S.One who bakes; an occupational surname for a baker of bread▶Callahan#227 in the U.S.Lover of churches; descendant of Ceallachán▶Dallas#238 in the U.S.From the meadow dwelling; from the valley place▶Warren#240 in the U.S.Animal enclosure for game; one who keeps a warren▶Ellis#243 in the U.S.My God is the Lord; Jehovah is my God▶Cade#248 in the U.S.Round, stout; barrel-shaped▶Lane#250 in the U.S.A narrow country road or path▶Emerson#254 in the U.S.Son of Emery; descendant of the powerful ruler▶Nash#255 in the U.S.By the ash tree; dweller near the ash▶Kayson#264 in the U.S.Son of Kay; possibly related to kaizen meaning improvement▶Bowen#266 in the U.S.Son of Owen; young warrior or well-born son▶Benson#279 in the U.S.Son of Ben (Benjamin); son of the right hand▶Cash#287 in the U.S.Hollow place; chest; maker of boxes or chests▶Lennox#289 in the U.S.From Levenach; the elm-tree place▶Reid#293 in the U.S.Red-haired; one with a ruddy complexion▶Holden#297 in the U.S.Deep valley; hollow valley▶Preston#299 in the U.S.Priest's estate; settlement of the priests▶Clayton#300 in the U.S.Clay settlement; a place built on clay soil▶Remington#307 in the U.S.Settlement on the rim; the farm of the raven-family▶Banks#310 in the U.S.One who lives beside a bank — a hillside, mound, or riverbank▶Colson#311 in the U.S.Son of Cole; Cole being a medieval short form of Nicholas (victory of the people)▶Sullivan#314 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish surname O Suilleabhain, from 'suil' (eye) and a diminutive suffix, t▶Blake#316 in the U.S.From the Old English 'blac' (pale, fair) or 'blaec' (dark, black) — an interesting paradox mean▶Cody#318 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish surname O Cuidighthigh, from 'cuidightheach' meaning helpful or aidi▶Casey#320 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish Cathasach, meaning 'vigilant' or 'watchful in battle', from 'cath' (▶Brady#321 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish surname O Bradaigh, from 'bradach' meaning spirited, thievish, or la▶Sutton#332 in the U.S.From the Old English 'suth' (south) and 'tun' (settlement, farm, town), meaning 'southern settl▶Paxton#338 in the U.S.From an Old English place name and surname, from 'Poecc's tun' (Poecc's settlement) or possibly▶Marshall#340 in the U.S.From Old French 'mareschal', from Old German 'marah' (horse) and 'scalc' (servant) — originally▶Russell#345 in the U.S.From the Old French 'rousel', a diminutive of 'ros' (red), meaning 'little red one' or 'red-hai▶Sterling#346 in the U.S.Possibly from Old English 'steorling' (little star) or from the English town of Stirling in Sco▶Wells#347 in the U.S.From the Old English 'wiell' or 'wella', meaning spring, stream, or well — a topographic surnam▶Hendrix#354 in the U.S.Dutch and Flemish surname form of Hendrik (Henry), from Old German Heimrich, composed of 'heim'▶Briggs#356 in the U.S.From an Old Norse or Old English place name, a plural form of 'brig' or 'bridge', meaning 'dwel▶Spencer#360 in the U.S.From Old French 'despensier' (steward, one who dispenses provisions), from 'despenser' (to disp▶Anderson#363 in the U.S.Patronymic surname meaning 'son of Andrew', from the Greek Andreas (manly, masculine) — ultimat▶Miller#369 in the U.S.From the Middle English occupational surname 'miller', denoting a person who operated a grain m▶Grady#373 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname O Graidaigh, from 'grade' (noble, illustrious) — mean▶Clark#377 in the U.S.Occupational name from Old English clerc, meaning a scribe, scholar, or clergyman, itself from ▶Daxton#379 in the U.S.Modern elaboration of Dax, a French place name referring to the town of Dax in southwestern Fra▶Lawson#381 in the U.S.English surname meaning son of Lawrence, itself from Latin Laurentius meaning man from Laurentu▶Baylor#386 in the U.S.English occupational surname from Old French bailleur meaning one who delivers or a bailor; use▶Kyler#404 in the U.S.Possibly from Dutch Kuyler meaning archer or bowman; also interpreted as a modern blend of Kyle▶Rylan#416 in the U.S.Variant of Ryland or Ryan, from Old English rye land meaning land where rye is grown; or an alt▶Reed#419 in the U.S.From Old English read meaning red; used as a surname for red-haired people, and also related to▶Dalton#448 in the U.S.English surname from an Old English place name combining 'dæl' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, ▶Karson#453 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Carson, an English and Scandinavian surname meaning 'son of Carr,' where Ca▶Oakley#454 in the U.S.English surname from Old English 'ac' (oak) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'oa▶Kameron#466 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Cameron, a Scottish surname from Gaelic 'cam' (crooked) and 'sron' (nose) o▶Ford#474 in the U.S.English topographic surname from Old English 'ford,' meaning a shallow river crossing; transfer▶Tanner#475 in the U.S.English occupational surname from Middle English 'tannere' meaning a person who tans animal hid▶Leland#494 in the U.S.English surname from Old English 'laeg' or 'leah' (meadow, fallow ground) and 'land' (land), me▶Donovan#496 in the U.S.From the Irish surname Ó Donndubháin, meaning 'descendant of Donndubhán,' composed of 'donn' (d▶Brantley#499 in the U.S.English surname from German-derived 'brand' (fire, sword) and Old English 'leah' (woodland clea▶Royce#500 in the U.S.English surname from Old French 'roy' (king) and the suffix '-ce' or from 'Rolls-Royce' cultura▶Pierce#505 in the U.S.Medieval English form of Piers, itself the Anglo-Norman French form of Peter, from Latin Petrus▶Kyle#509 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic caol meaning 'narrow' or 'narrow strait,' referring to a narrow channel of▶Corbin#512 in the U.S.From Old French corbin or corbeau meaning 'raven' or 'crow,' derived from Latin corvus (raven);▶Callen#516 in the U.S.Variant of Calan or Cailan, from Scottish/Irish Gaelic cath (battle) + lann (land, enclosure) o▶Truett#521 in the U.S.English surname derived from the Middle English and Old French word true or trewe, meaning 'fai▶Tripp#522 in the U.S.English nickname/surname name, derived from 'trip' in the sense of a journey or traveler; also ▶Finnegan#526 in the U.S.Anglicisation of Irish Ó Fionnagáin, meaning 'descendant of Fionnagán,' a diminutive of Fionn m▶Ridge#530 in the U.S.From Old English hrycg meaning 'spine' or 'ridge,' referring to a long raised strip of land; us▶Tyson#531 in the U.S.From a medieval English surname derived from Old French tison meaning 'firebrand' or 'burning s▶Scott#534 in the U.S.From the English and Scottish surname Scott, meaning 'a Scot' or 'a person from Scotland,' deri▶Bruce#536 in the U.S.From the Scottish surname Bruce, derived from the Norman French place name Brix (or Brieuse) in▶Fletcher#547 in the U.S.From the medieval English occupational surname Fletcher, derived from Old French fleche ('arrow▶Ledger#554 in the U.S.From the Old English or Old Dutch name Leodegar, a compound of leod ('people, tribe') and gar (▶Porter#560 in the U.S.From the medieval English occupational surname Porter, from Old French portier meaning 'doorkee▶Garrett#564 in the U.S.Spear strength; an English surname and given name derived from the Germanic Gerard, meaning 'sp▶Colsen#566 in the U.S.Son of Col or Cole; a modern English surname-style name blending Cole with the Scandinavian suf▶Clay#573 in the U.S.Clay; an English surname derived from Old English claeg, denoting someone who lived near or wor▶Rhodes#575 in the U.S.Where roses grow; an English surname derived from the Greek Rhodos, name of the island meaning ▶Kolton#594 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Colton, from the Old English place-name and surname meaning 'settlement nea▶Kason#597 in the U.S.Modern K-variant of Cason, itself a surname derived from an Old French or Old English personal ▶Alden#598 in the U.S.From Old English Ealdwine or Aldwine, composed of eald/ald ('old') and wine ('friend'), meaning▶Kolter#600 in the U.S.Variant of Coulter or Colter, from Old English culter or Latin culter meaning 'knife' or 'ploug▶Colby#615 in the U.S.From an Old Norse-English place-name and surname, composed of Old Norse Koli (a personal name m▶Harlan#617 in the U.S.From an English and German place-name and surname, possibly from Old English hara ('hare') and ▶Westley#619 in the U.S.Variant of Wesley, from a place-name and surname composed of Old English west ('west') and leah▶Keegan#621 in the U.S.Anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán,' a diminut▶Otis#652 in the U.S.English surname from the Germanic given name Odo or Otto, from aud meaning wealth or prosperity▶Wayne#655 in the U.S.From the Old English occupational surname waegn meaning wagon or cart, referring to a wagon mak▶Layne#662 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Lane, from Old English lane meaning a narrow road or path between hedges or▶Jaxton#667 in the U.S.Modern American variant of Jaxon or Jackson; ultimately from John (Hebrew Yochanan meaning God ▶Davis#668 in the U.S.Welsh and English patronymic surname meaning son of David, from the Hebrew name David meaning b▶Wilson#673 in the U.S.English patronymic surname meaning son of William or son of Will; William derives from Old High▶Madden#676 in the U.S.Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Madáin, from Irish Gaelic madán meaning little dog or houn▶Trevor#680 in the U.S.From the Welsh place name Trefor, composed of tref meaning homestead, town, or village and mawr▶Peyton#684 in the U.S.Fighting man's estate; from Old English paega (fighting man, warrior) + tun (settlement, estate▶Taylor#685 in the U.S.Tailor; one who cuts and sews garments; from Old French tailleur (cutter), from tailler (to cut▶Westin#689 in the U.S.From the western settlement or estate; a surname-turned-given-name from Old English west + tun ▶Bridger#701 in the U.S.English occupational surname from Old English, denoting a person who lived near a bridge or was▶Ryland#706 in the U.S.English surname from Old English ryge (rye) and land, meaning 'land where rye is grown'; a topo▶Layton#714 in the U.S.English surname and place name from Old English leac (leek) and tun (settlement, enclosure, far▶Kamden#718 in the U.S.Spelling variant of Camden, from the Old English surname and place name meaning 'winding valley▶Bellamy#721 in the U.S.From the Old French bel ami (beautiful friend or fine friend), from bel (beautiful, fine) and a▶Cannon#722 in the U.S.From the Old French canon meaning 'large tube' (related to the weapon), from Italian cannone, f▶Huxley#736 in the U.S.English surname from an Old English place name, possibly from the personal name Hucc or Hugh + ▶Chandler#753 in the U.S.Candle maker or seller; from Old French chandelier (candle merchant), from chandelle (candle)▶Murphy#754 in the U.S.Sea warrior; sea battler; from Irish Gaelic Ó Murchadha (descendant of Murchadh: muir sea + cat▶Finnley#757 in the U.S.Fair-haired warrior or white warrior; an alternate spelling of Finley, from the Scottish and Ir▶Campbell#764 in the U.S.Crooked mouth; wry-mouthed; from Scottish Gaelic caimbeul (cam: crooked + beul: mouth)▶Boden#769 in the U.S.Messenger or herald; from Old Norse bod meaning message or command, and the personal name Bodi ▶Emmitt#770 in the U.S.Whole or universal; a variant spelling of Emmett, from the Old High German Emmerich or the Old ▶Keaton#771 in the U.S.Place of hawks or shed town; an English surname from the Old English place name Ketton or Ceatt▶Riggs#776 in the U.S.Son of Ridge or one who lives by a ridge; an English surname from the Old English hrycg meaning▶Dutton#779 in the U.S.Dudda's settlement or Dudda's farm; an English surname from the Old English place name Dutton i▶Skyler#783 in the U.S.Scholar or student; an Americanized spelling of the Dutch surname Schuyler, meaning scholar or ▶Jamison#786 in the U.S.Son of James; an English patronymic surname meaning son of James, with James from the Hebrew Ya▶Barron#790 in the U.S.Noble man or warrior; a variant spelling of Baron, from Old French baron and Medieval Latin bar▶Jaxxon#793 in the U.S.Son of Jack; a modern stylized spelling of Jackson, where Jack derives from John, from Hebrew Y▶Keith#801 in the U.S.Wood or forest; a Scottish surname from the Gaelic Ceitheach or the place name Keith, meaning w▶Mccoy#806 in the U.S.Son of the fiery one; anglicization of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning son of ▶Lennon#808 in the U.S.Little cloak; or lover; from Irish Gaelic Ó Leannáin (descendant of Leannán), from leann (cloak▶Jones#811 in the U.S.Son of John or God is gracious; the most common Welsh surname, meaning son of John, where John ▶Landen#813 in the U.S.Long hill; variant of Landon, from Old English lang (long) + dun (hill, down)▶Emery#815 in the U.S.Work power; brave power; from Germanic Amalric (amal: work, or a Gothic royal family name + ric▶Jettson#824 in the U.S.A modern American coinage, likely a creative spelling of Jetson, evoking the surname-style son ▶Nelson#825 in the U.S.English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Neil', where Neil derives from the Old Irish Niall, ▶Flynn#828 in the U.S.Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Flynn, meaning 'descendant of Flann', where Flann▶Jefferson#831 in the U.S.English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jeffrey', where Jeffrey is a medieval form of Geoffr▶Cayson#835 in the U.S.Modern American variant of Cason or Jason combined with Casey, where Casey derives from the Iri▶Casen#842 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Cason or a form of Casey, from the Irish Gaelic Cathasach meaning 'watchful▶Coleson#844 in the U.S.A modern variant of Colson, meaning 'son of Cole', where Cole derives from the Old English col ▶Cason#846 in the U.S.American surname-turned-given-name, most plausibly derived from Casey (Irish Gaelic Cathasach, ▶Stanley#863 in the U.S.From the Old English place name Stanleah, composed of stan (stone) and leah (meadow, woodland c▶Watson#864 in the U.S.Son of Walter; from the medieval English given name Wat (short form of Walter: ruler of the arm▶Brycen#868 in the U.S.A modern variant of Bryson, meaning 'son of Bryce', where Bryce derives from the Celtic Bricius▶Edison#870 in the U.S.English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Edd' or 'son of Ed', where Ed derives from the Old E▶Nixon#873 in the U.S.Son of Nicholas; from the medieval English short form Nick (of Nicholas: victory of the people)▶Emory#883 in the U.S.Work power; brave power; spelling variant of Emery, from Germanic Amalric (amal: work + ric: ru▶Jagger#885 in the U.S.From a northern English dialect word jagger meaning a peddler, a hawker, or a person who carts ▶Kolson#887 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Colson, itself a surname meaning son of Cole; Cole derives from Old English▶Shepard#892 in the U.S.From Old English sceaphirde meaning sheep-herder, composed of sceap (sheep) and hierde (herder,▶Foster#901 in the U.S.From Middle English foster, an occupational surname for a forester or person who tended a royal▶Wesson#919 in the U.S.Surname meaning son of Wes (from Wesley or West) or from the western farm; composed of Old Engl▶Judson#934 in the U.S.English surname meaning son of Judd, where Judd is a medieval diminutive of Jordan or Judah; Jo▶Mitchell#954 in the U.S.Medieval English surname and given name, a variant of Michael from Hebrew Mikha'el meaning who ▶Darwin#961 in the U.S.From Old English deorwine, composed of deor meaning dear or beloved and wine meaning friend, gi▶Montgomery#962 in the U.S.From the Norman French place name Montgomeri, from Old French mont meaning mountain and Germani▶Brodie#963 in the U.S.Ditch or muddy place; from Scottish Gaelic brothaigh (ditch, muddy place) or possibly from brod▶Kase#964 in the U.S.Bold; variant of Case, from Old French casse (container, case) or Irish Gaelic Cathasach (vigil▶Wallace#964 in the U.S.From Anglo-Norman French Waleis meaning Welshman or foreigner, from a Germanic root related to ▶Colten#966 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Colton, from Old English col meaning coal or charcoal and tun meaning settl▶Gage#973 in the U.S.From Old French gage meaning pledge, security, or guarantee; also a surname from the same root ▶Kingsley#984 in the U.S.King's meadow; from Old English cyning (king) + leah (clearing, meadow)▶Curtis#985 in the U.S.From Old French curteis meaning courteous, polite, or well-bred, derived from curt meaning cour▶Blaine#992 in the U.S.From Scottish Gaelic Blaen or the personal name Blaan, possibly meaning yellow or possibly lean▶Palmer#995 in the U.S.Palm bearer; pilgrim who carried a palm frond from the Holy Land; from Old French palmier (palm▶Vance#996 in the U.S.Dweller near the marshes; from Middle English fens or fan (marsh, fen); or from a place called ▶Macklin#998 in the U.S.Anglicized form of Irish Mac Fhlainn meaning son of Flann, where Flann means red or ruddy, hist▶Langston#1000 in the U.S.From Old English lang meaning long or tall and tun meaning settlement or farm, giving the meani▶Turner#1006 in the U.S.One who works a lathe; from Old French torneor (lathe operator), from torner (to turn on a lath▶Harley#1017 in the U.S.Hare's meadow; from Old English hara (hare) + leah (clearing, meadow)▶Lyle#1018 in the U.S.The island; from Old French l'isle (the island), a place-name for someone from an island▶Denzel#1034 in the U.S.From the high stronghold; from Denzell, a place in Cornwall, England; of uncertain Cornish etym▶Bronson#1035 in the U.S.Son of Brand; from the Old English personal name Brun/Brand (dark, brown) + -son▶Thatcher#1037 in the U.S.One who thatches roofs; from Middle English thacchere (roof thatcher), from thatchen (to thatch▶Leighton#1039 in the U.S.Herb garden settlement; from Old English leac-tun (leek garden/farm, herb settlement)▶Slade#1051 in the U.S.Valley; flat-bottomed valley; from Old English slaed (valley, dell, wooded hollow)▶Brennan#1054 in the U.S.Sorrow; teardrop; from Irish Gaelic Ó Braonáin (descendant of Braonán, from braon: teardrop, so▶Howard#1056 in the U.S.High guardian or sheep herder; from Old Norse Hávarðr (hay guardian, yard guardian) or Old Germ▶Brett#1060 in the U.S.A Breton; from Britain; from Old French Bret (a Breton, a native of Brittany or Britain)▶Rodney#1085 in the U.S.Hroda's island; or island of reeds; from Old English Hroda + eg (island), a Somerset place name▶Branson#1101 in the U.S.Son of Brand; from the Old English/Norse personal name Brand (sword, flame) + -son▶Cullen#1129 in the U.S.Holly; descendant of Cuilinn; from Irish Gaelic Cuilinn (holly tree) with Ó (descendant of) pre▶Wiley#1159 in the U.S.Resolute warrior; from a diminutive of William (wig: war + helm: protection) or a place name; a▶Decker#1185 in the U.S.Thatcher; roofer; one who decks or covers; from Dutch/German Decker (one who covers roofs, a th▶Vaughn#1187 in the U.S.Small; little; from Welsh fychan (small, little, junior) — a diminutive suffix that became a su▶Dayton#1188 in the U.S.David's town; from the English place name Dayton (day's town or possibly from the personal name▶Crosby#1198 in the U.S.Cross farm; farm at the crossroads; from Old Norse kross (cross) + byr (farm, settlement)▶Merrick#1219 in the U.S.Ruler of the sea; Moorish person▶Kendall#1231 in the U.S.Valley of the River Kent▶Braden#1246 in the U.S.Broad valley; salmon▶Granger#1255 in the U.S.Farmer, keeper of the granary▶Graysen#1281 in the U.S.Son of the grey-haired man▶Benton#1305 in the U.S.Town in the bent grass or curved land▶Harris#1319 in the U.S.Son of Harry; son of the heir▶Jenson#1348 in the U.S.Son of Jens; son of John▶Anson#1390 in the U.S.Son of Ann; son of the gracious one▶Maddux#1397 in the U.S.Beneficent, fortunate, good▶Carver#1478 in the U.S.From an English occupational surname for a carver or sculptor of wood or stone, now used as a g▶Cecil#1479 in the U.S.Blind (from Roman family name Caecilius)▶Rush#1493 in the U.S.from an English surname, originally a topographic name for someone who lived among rushes, or a▶Terrell#1495 in the U.S.From an English surname, possibly from Norman French 'tirel' (stubborn person, one who pulls). ▶Luther#1499 in the U.S.Army of the people (Germanic origin)▶Warner#1502 in the U.S.From a Norman-introduced Germanic personal name combining 'warin' (guard) and 'heri' (army), gi▶Coy#1507 in the U.S.From the English adjective 'coy' ('shy, quiet'), from Old French 'coi' from Latin 'quietus' ('a▶Lamar#1515 in the U.S.From a French surname, originally a place name 'la mare' ('the pool/pond'). Widely used as a gi▶Hampton#1521 in the U.S.from an Old English place name and surname meaning "home settlement" or "settlement by a meadow▶Conway#1526 in the U.S.From the River Conwy; or Gaelic 'yellow hound'▶Ranger#1533 in the U.S.from the English occupational term for a forest keeper or gamekeeper▶
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Frequently Asked
What are surname names for boys?
Last names worn as first names — think Nash, Bowen or Emerson. Families often use them to carry a maiden name or grandparent surname forward.
Which surname boy names sound strongest?
Short names with hard consonants land hardest: Cash, Cade, Lane and Baker all have that clipped, confident sound.
Do surname first names work with a short last name?
Usually yes, though longer picks like Callahan balance a one-syllable surname better than another one-syllable name would. Read the full pages and say the pairing out loud a few times.