Last Names for Characters

Five real last names for a character per press, each with its origin, meaning and number of syllables.

WeltonFrom Old English wella (“well, spring, stream”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
ClintonA habitational surname, derived from places named Glinton ("town on a hill") or Glympton ("settlement on the River Glyme"). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
HowarthHabitational surname from a minor place near Rochdale, in Lancashire, from Old English hōh (“spur of land”) + worþ (“enclosure”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
WorshamFrom the Old English personal name Wulfmǣr + -s- + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
ActonFrom Old English āc (“oak”) + tūn (“farm, town, homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

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How it works

These last names for characters are real: 208 US surnames ranked 2,001 to 10,000 in the 2020 census, so none is among the commonest 2,000. Each card gives the origin and meaning a dictionary records and the number of syllables.

Read the full guide

Last names for stories, by origin

The dropdown, Origin, keeps the names a dictionary traces to Old or Middle English (94), Irish (11), Scottish (12), German (21), French (21), Italian (9) or Spanish (23), or to Welsh, Dutch or Old Norse (17). An origin belongs to the surname, not to any one family.

Pick by rhythm

Under More filters, Syllables keeps the 17 names of one syllable, the 135 of two or the 56 of three or more. Each card also says whether the name ranks 2,001 to 5,000 or 5,001 to 10,000 in the census.

Tips

No name here is on the surname generator page, which draws census ranks 1 to 2,000.

Questions and answers

Is this a character last name generator?

Yes. Each press deals five real surnames at random from the 208, and the dropdown narrows the draw to one origin. Nothing is invented: every name is in the 2020 US census file of last names.

What are good last names for characters?

That is a matter of taste, so this list keeps to what can be checked: a real name outside the commonest 2,000, with a recorded origin, meaning and syllable count. Dryden is a dry valley; Whitford is a white ford.

Where do interesting last names come from?

Mostly from places, trades, nicknames and fathers' names. The dictionary reads Racine as the French word for root, Copley as a hilltop by a woodland clearing and Wortham as an enclosure and a homestead.

How were the syllables counted?

From the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, an open dictionary of American English that lists the sounds of each word. The count is the number of vowel sounds in its first pronunciation; a name it does not hold was left out.

All 208 last names

From Old or Middle English 94

Abney From the genitive form of the Old English personal name Abba + īeġ (“island”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Ackley English habitational surname, from Old English āc (“oak”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”), equivalent to oak + -leigh (“lea”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Acton From Old English āc (“oak”) + tūn (“farm, town, homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Alton From Old English ǣwell (“river source”) + tūn (“settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Ansley From Old English ānsetl (“hermitage”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Ashmore From Old English æsċ (“ash-tree”) + mere (“pond, pool, lake”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Barney From either the Old English personal name Bera (genitive singular Beran) or from Old English beren (“growing with barley”) + īeġ (“island”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Chadwick Derived from Old English Ċeadda (“Chad”) + Old Norse vík. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Charlton From Old English ċeorl (“freeman”) and tūn (“town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Claxton From either the Old Norse personal name Klakkr or Old English clacc (“hill, peak”) + -s- + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Clinton A habitational surname, derived from places named Glinton ("town on a hill") or Glympton ("settlement on the River Glyme"). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Coble As an English surname, from Middle English cobel (“coble, rowboat”), a metonymic occupational surname for a maker of such or a sailor. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Cockerham From the name of the River Cocker + Old English hām (“homestead”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Coddington From the Old English personal name Cotta + -ing (“belonging to”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Colburn From Old English cōl (“cool”) + burna (“stream”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Cooksey Habitational surname from a minor place in Worcestershire, from the Old English personal name Cucu + -s- + īeġ (“island”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Copley From Old English copp (“hilltop”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Cottingham From the Old English personal name Cotta + -ing (“belonging to”) + hām (“homestead”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Crafton From Old English croh (“saffron”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Crossland Habitational surname from a minor place in the parish of Almondbury, West Yorkshire, from Old English cros (“cross”) + land (“land”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Dandridge English habitational surname, from an unexplained first element + Old English hryċġ (“ridge”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Dilworth A habitational surname from a minor place in Lancashire, from Old English dile (“dill, anise”) + worþ (“enclosure”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Dowden Patronymic surname, from an unattested Old English personal name *Dogod, perhaps derived from dugan (“to avail, serve”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Dryden From Old English drȳġe (“dry”) + denu (“valley”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Eddington From the Old English personal name Ēada + -ing (“belonging to”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Eggleston From the Old English personal name Eċġwulf, which is composed of the elements eċġ (“edge”) and wulf (“wolf”), + -s- + tūn (“settlement”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Eubank Topographic surname, from Old English īw (“yew”) + banc (“bank, hillock, embankment”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Farnham From Old English fearn (“fern”) + hām (“homestead”) or hamm (“water meadow”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Fawcett A surname from Old English from places in England derived from Old English words for “colorful slope”. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Finney Habitational surname from several minor places in Cheshire, from either Old English finig (“heap”) or finn (“coarse grass”) + ġehæġ (“an enclosed piece of land”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Frampton From the name of the River Frome + Old English tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Fulford From Old English fūl (“dirty, muddy”), in the definite form fūla + ford (“ford”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Fullerton From Old English fuglere (“fowler, birdcatcher”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Gilstrap Habitational surname from a lost or unidentified place; the first element is unclear, while the second is Old English þorp (“village”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Hales From Old English halh (“hollow, nook”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Hartfield From Old English heorot (“stag, hart”) + feld (“field”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Harwell From the Old English personal name *Hāra, a byname from hār (“gray; gray-haired”), + wella (“well, spring, stream”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Haworth From Old English haga (“enclosure, yard; hedge”) + worþ (“enclosure”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Headrick Scottish habitational or topographic surname, from Old English headrig (“ridge at the end of a field”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Hendon From Old English hēan, dative case of hēah (“high”), + dūn (“hill”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Henshaw From the Old English personal name *Heþin + -s- + healh (“corner, angle, nook”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Hilburn Habitational surname from a now lost place, from Old English hyll (“hill”) + burne (“brook, stream”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Horsley From Old English hors (“horse”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Housley Habitational surname from a minor place in South Yorkshire, from Old English hūs (“house”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Howarth Habitational surname from a minor place near Rochdale, in Lancashire, from Old English hōh (“spur of land”) + worþ (“enclosure”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Hutton From Old English hōh (“ridge, spur”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Ingham From the Old English personal name Inga, which is related to Ing, + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Isham From the name of the River Ise + Old English hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Kilburn From either the unattested Old English personal name *Cylla or cyline (“kiln”) + burna (“stream, brook”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Kilby From Old English ċild (“child”) + Old Norse býr (“settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Knowlton From Old English cnoll (“knoll, summit”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Lambeth The name is recorded in 1062 as Lambehitha, from Old English lamb (“lamb”) + hȳþ (“hithe, landing-place”), and in 1255 as Lambeth. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Langdon From Old English lang + dun (“hill”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Langham From Old English lang (“long”) + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Lincoln From Middle English Lincolne, from Old English Lincolle, from Latin Lindum Colōnia, from Proto-Brythonic *llɨnn (“pool”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Nuttall From Old English hnutu (“nut”) + healh (“nook, corner”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Oakley From Old English Āclēa, from āc (“oak”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”), thus a clearing in an oak forest; equivalent to oak + -leigh (“lea”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Olney From the dative form of the Old English personal name *Olla + īeġ (“island”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Oxley From Old English oxa (“ox”) + lēah (“woodland clearing”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Parton From Old English pere (“pear”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”), equivalent to pear + -ton. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Peckham Probably from Old English Pēac- (“Peak”) + hām (“homestead”) or hamm (“water meadow”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pelham From the Old English personal name *Pēola + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pelton From the Old English personal name *Peola + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pilkington English habitational surname from a minor place in Lancashire, from an Old English personal name *Pīleca + -ing (“belonging to”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pinkerton Habitational surname from a place near Dunbar, from an unexplained first element + Old English tūn (“enclosure”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Privett Apparently from the unattested Old English word *pryfet (“privet”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Purvis Perhaps from Middle English purveys (“provisions, supplies”), hence a metonymic occupational surname for an official responsible of obtaining supplies. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Risley From Old English hrīs (“twig, branch; brushwood”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”); equivalent to rice + -leigh (“lea”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Rountree Topographic surname, from Middle English rown (“rowan”) + tre (“tree”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Rushton From Old English risċ (“rush, reed”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”), equivalent to rush + -ton. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Sneed A habitational name derived from places in England named Sneyd or Snead, from Old English snǣd (“something cut off, a fragment, a detached piece of ground”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Tilton Habitational surname from the village of Tilton on the Hill, in Leicestershire, from the Old English personal name Tila + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Treece From the plural form of Old English trēow (“tree”). One syllable. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Tunstall From Old English tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”) + steall (“stable”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Upshaw Habitational surname from a lost or unidentified place, from Old English upp (“up; upper”) + sċeaga (“copse, thicket”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Utley From the Old English personal name Utta + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Wadley From either the Old English personal name Wada or wād (“woad”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Walcott From Old English wealh (“foreigner, Briton, Welshman”) + cot (“cottage”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Wardlaw Habitational surname typical of Scotland, from Old English weard (“watchman”) + hlǣw (“hill, mound”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Warfield From Old English wer (“weir”) + feld (“field”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Watford From either Old English wæt (“wet”) or wāþ (“hunting, chase”) + ford (“ford”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Weekley From Old English wīċ (“village, settlement”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Welton From Old English wella (“well, spring, stream”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Whitehurst Habitational surname from a minor place in Cheshire, from Old English hwīt (“white”) + hyrst (“hurst, hillock, wooded hill”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Whitford From Old English hwīt (“white”) + ford (“ford”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Whitworth From Old English hwīt (“white”) + worð (“enclosure”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Wickham From Middle English Wicham, Wikham, from Old English wīċ (“village”) + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Willoughby From Old English weliġ (“willow”) and Old Norse byr (“settlement”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Wingate From Old English wind (“wind”) + ġeat (“gate”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Witham From *wiht (“bend”) + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Woodford From Old English wudu (“wood”) + ford (“ford”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Woolley Usually from Old English wulf (“wolf”) + lēah (“woodland clearing, glade frequented by wolves”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Worsham From the Old English personal name Wulfmǣr + -s- + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Wortham From Old English worþ (“enclosure”) + hām (“homestead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

From Irish 11

Conroy Anglicized form of Irish Ó Conraoi (“descendant of Cú Raoi”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Corcoran From Irish Ó Corcráin (“descendant of Corcrán”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Doran Reduced Anglicized form of Irish Ó Deoradháin (“descendant of Deoradhán”), a personal name derived from a diminutive of deoradh (“pilgrim, exile, stranger”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Flaherty From Irish Flaithbheartach, Flaithbheartaigh (“bright ruler”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Leary A surname from Irish, an alternate anglicization of Ó Laoghaire (“descendant of Leary”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McGovern Anglicized form of Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Samhradháin (“son of Samhradhán”), diminutive of samhradh (“summer”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
O'Keefe Anglicized form of Irish Ó Caoimh (“descendant of Caomh”), a personal name based on caomh (“gentle”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
O'Rourke Anglicized form of Irish Ó Ruairc (“descendant of Ruarc”), a Gaelicized form of the Old Norse personal name Hrórekr (“Roderick”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Reagan Anglicized from Irish Gaelic Ó Riagáin (“descendant of Riagán”), a personal name possibly derived from ríodhgach (“impulsive, furious”), an alternative form of ríogach. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Roddy Reduced Anglicized form of Irish Ó Rodaigh (“descendant of Rodach”), a personal name probably derived from rod (“spirited, furious”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Rooney Anglicized from Irish Ó Ruanaidh (“descendant of a person named Champion”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.

From Scottish Gaelic or Scots 12

Forsythe Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic personal name Fearsithe, composed of the elements fear (“man”) + sìth (“peace”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Galbraith Scottish ethnic surname from Scottish Gaelic gall (“stranger, foreigner”) + Breathnach (“Briton”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Kincaid Scottish habitational surname from a minor place near Lennoxtown, from Scottish Gaelic ceann (“head, top”) + càithe (“pass”) or cadha (“quagmire”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Kyle From several places in Scotland and Northern Ireland, derived from Gaelic caol (“narrows”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McArthur Partial translation of Scottish Gaelic Mac Artair and Irish Mac Artúir (“son of Arthur”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McCallum Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mac Caluim (“son of Calum”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McCartney Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mac Artaine (“son of Artan”), from mac (“son”) + Artan, a diminutive of the name Art, from Old Irish art (“bear”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McClung Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mac Luinge (“son of Lunge”), a personal name probably meaning "seafarer". Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McFarlane Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mac Pharthaláin (“son of Parthalán”), probably a Gaelicized form of the personal name Bartholomew. Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McKinnon From Scottish Gaelic MhicFhionghain, from Fhionghain (“Fingon”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
McRae Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Mac Raith (“son of grace”), from mac + rath. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Muir From Scots muir (“moor”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.

From German 21

Auer Borrowed from German Auer, topographic surname from several places with the name Au, Aue, all from the noun Aue (“floodplain, stream”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Baumgartner German Baumgartner (“tree gardener”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Blum From the German surname, from Middle High German bluome (“flower”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Claus From Dutch and German Claus, a contraction of Nicolaus (“Nicholas”). One syllable. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Cohn From German Kohn, from Konrad (“Conrad”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Edelman German Edelmann (“nobleman”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Fiedler Occupational surname, borrowed from German Fiedler (“fiddler”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Firestone Translation of the German toponymic surname Feuerstein, from Feuer (“fire”) + Stein (“stone”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Grossman From German Grossmann, from groß (“great, large, tall”) + Mann (“man; male adult”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Heim As a south German surname, from the noun Heim (“home”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Heuer From the German surname, from Heu (“hay”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Kahn As a north German surname, from Low German Kane (“small boat”), from Middle Low German kāne. One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Knecht German surname, from Middle High German and Middle Low German knecht (“journeyman, knight's servant”). One syllable. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Kohl From the German surname, from Kohl (“cabbage”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Kohler From German Kohler, Köhler (“charcoal burner”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Langer From German Langer, literally “a tall man”. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pfeiffer From German Pfeiffer (“piper”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Probst Borrowed from German Propst (“provost”). One syllable. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Sauer From the German surname, from Middle High German sur (“sour”) (modern German sauer). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Stoll From the German surname, from the noun Stollen (“prop, frame”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Zuckerman From German Zuckermann literally “sugar man” i.e. confectioner. Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

From French or Norman 21

Allman English surname from Norman aleman (“German”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Beauchamp From Middle English Bea(u)cham(p), from Old French Beauchamp, from beau (“fine, beautiful”) + champ (“field”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Bellamy Of Norman origin, from Old French bel (“fair”) + ami (“friend”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Celestin French Célestin, from célestin (“celestine”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Chastain French Chastain, derived from the Old French chastaigne (“chestnut”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Cottrell From Old French coterel, a diminutive of cotier (“cottager”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Dabney Habitational surname of Norman origin, from de (“of”) and the toponym Aubigny or Aubigné, from Medieval Latin Albiniacus, from the Roman gens, Latin Albinius. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Farrar English occupational surname for a blacksmith or an ironworker, from Old French ferrier (“smith”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Gaylord Derived from the Old French surname Gaillard (from gaillard (“strong”)), via Anglo-Norman. Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Grammer Occupational surname for a scholar or astrologer, from Old French gramaire (“grammarian, scholar, astrologer”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Hussey As an English surname of Norman origin, from Old French hosed, from Latin hosatus (“trousers, pants”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Lalonde French Lalonde, from Norman Lalonde, from Old Norse lundr (“woods”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Lamar From a placename in Normandy, which was derived from Old French la mare (“the pool”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Lyle A Scottish habitational surname, from Old French l'isle (“the island”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Mallory From an Anglo-Norman nickname for an unfortunate person, from Old French maleure, malheure (“unhappy, unlucky”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Neville A Norman baronial surname, de Neville, from place names in Normandy, from Old French Neville (literally “Néel's estate”) or Neuville (literally “new settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Pridgen Possibly from Old French preux (“wise; brave”) + Jehan (“John”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Pulliam From Anglo-Norman pulain (“foal, colt”), from Old French polain (“foal, colt”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Racine French racine (“root”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Rochelle Habitational or topographic name from places in France, La Rochelle, from Old French rochelle diminutive form of roche (“rock”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Tyrrell Perhaps from a Norman nickname for a stubborn person, from Old French tirel (“an animal which pulls on the reins”), a derivative of tirer (“to pull”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

From Italian 9

Albanese Italian Albanese, from albanese (“Albanian”) in reference to the Arbëreshë people (Italo-Albanians) of southern Italy. Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Calabrese From the Italian calabrese (“Calabrian”). Four syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Castello As an Italian surname, from the noun castello (“fortress”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Colombo From Italian Colombo, from colombo (“pigeon, dove”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Coppola Italian Coppola, adapted from Sicilian Còppula, from còppula (“coppola cap”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Napoli Italian Napoli, from Latin Neāpolis, from Ancient Greek Νεᾱ́πολῐς, from νέᾱ (“new”) + πόλῐς (“city”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Orlando From Italian Orlando (“Roland”), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *Hrōþiland. Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Siciliano Italian Siciliano, from siciliano (“Sicilian”). Five syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Valentino From Italian Valentino, from Latin Valentīnus (“Valentine”), a patronymic from Valēns, itself nominalized from vālens (“strong, healthy”) + -īnus (“-ine”). Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

From Spanish 23

Aguinaga Borrowed from Spanish Aguinaga, a habitational surname of Basque origin, from hagin (“yew”) + the suffix -aga. Five syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Alcala From Spanish Alcalá, from Arabic القَلْعة (“the citadel, the fort”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Alcaraz From Spanish Alcaraz, from Arabic الكرز (al-Karaz), from ال (“the, place of the”) + كرز (karaz) (“cherry”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Alcazar From Spanish Alcázar, from alcázar, from Arabic اَلْقَصْر (“the castle”), itself from Latin castrum (“castle”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Alejandro Spanish Alejandro, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (“defender of man”). Four syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Amezcua Borrowed from Spanish Amezcua, from Basque Ametzkoa, a habitational surname from ametz (“Pyrenean oak”). Four syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Arizmendi Borrowed from Spanish Arizmendi, from Basque haritz (“oak”) + mendi (“mountain”). Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Delcastillo Spanish del Castillo (“from the castle”). Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Echeverria Anglicization of Spanish Echeverría, from Basque Etxeberria (“new house”), from etxe (“house”) and berri (“new”). Five syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Escudero Occupational surname borrowed from Spanish escudero (“esquire, shield-bearer”). Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Estevez From Spanish, from Galician Estévez, patronymical surname from Estevo (“Stephan”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Evangelista From Spanish Evangélista, from evangélista (“evangelist”). Five syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Galan From Spanish Galán, from galán (“gallant”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Jauregui Spanish Jáuregui, habitational surname from Basque jauregi (“palace”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Lizarraga Borrowed from Spanish Lizárraga, from Basque lizarr (“ash tree”) + the locative suffix -aga. Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Mendiola Spanish Mendiola, from Basque Mendiola (“mountain hut”). Four syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Paez Anglicization of Spanish Páez, of Galician origin, patronymic form of Paio (“Pelagio”), from Latin Pelagius. Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Puente Spanish surname, from puente (“bridge”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Ugalde Borrowed from Spanish Ugalde, from Basque Ugalde, from ur (“water”) + alde (“side”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Ugarte Borrowed from Spanish Ugarte, itself borrowed from Basque uharte (“island”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Urrutia Borrowed from Spanish Urrutia, itself from Basque urruti (“far, distant”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Zayas Borrowed from the Spanish habitational surname Zayas, which is from Basque zai (“watchman, guard”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Zelaya Borrowed from Spanish Zelaya, from Basque Zelaia, habitational surname from zelai (“field”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.

From Welsh, Dutch or Old Norse 17

Bogart From the Dutch surname Bogaert, derived from bogaard, contraction of boomgaard (“orchard”), from boom (“tree”) + gaard (“garden”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Briscoe From Old Norse bretar (“Britons”) or birki (“birch”) + skógr (“wood”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Busby From Old Norse buskr (“bush”) + býr (“homestead, village”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Colby From either the Old Norse personal name Koli or kol (“charcoal”) + býr (“settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Frisby From Old Norse frisir (“Frisians”) + býr (“settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Grigsby Habitational surname from a lost or unidentified place in Lincolnshire, from an unclear first element + Old Norse bý (“farmstead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Hornsby From places in England, from genitive singular of the Old Norse given name Ormr (“serpent”) + býr (“settlement”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Marvin From Welsh Merfyn (“Mervyn”), probably from mêr (“marrow”) + myn (“eminent”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Quackenbush Americanized spelling of Dutch Quackenbosch, a habitational surname from quaak (“swamp”) + bosch (“woodland”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Scarborough From the Old Norse personal name Skarði + borg (“fortress”). Three syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Selby From Old Norse selja (“willow, sallow”) + býr (“settlement, farm”). Two syllables. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Tooley Anglicized form of the Old Norse personal name Þórleifr, which is composed of the elements Þórr (“Thor”) and leifr (“inheritor”) (compare líf). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Vandenberg From Dutch van den Berg: Dutch van (“of”) + den (“the”) + berg (“hill”). Three syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Vanhouten Dutch van (“of”) + hout (“wood”). Four syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Voorhees Anglicization of Dutch (van) voor Hees (“(from) before Hees”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.
Wray From Old Norse vrá (“nook, corner, recess”). One syllable. Census ranks 2,001 to 5,000.
Wyckoff Dutch Wyckoff, from wijk (“district”) + hof (“farmstead”). Two syllables. Census ranks 5,001 to 10,000.

How this list was compiled

A list cut from public records by a written rule, built on 2 October 2026; no name was picked by taste. A surname is listed when all of this holds. One: it ranks from 2,001 to 10,000 in the US Census Bureau's file of last names reported 100 or more times in the 2020 Census (https://www2.census.gov/topics/genealogy/2020surnames/Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic.xlsx, linked from https://www.census.gov/topics/population/genealogy/data/2020_names.html), so no name here is among the 2,000 most common; the card gives the band (2,001 to 5,000, or 5,001 to 10,000) and no rank or count. Two: the spelling has an English surname entry on English Wiktionary (https://en.wiktionary.org, CC BY-SA 4.0, read the same day) that the dictionary files under surnames from Old or Middle English, Irish, Scottish Gaelic or Scots, German, French (with Old French, Anglo-Norman and Norman), Italian, Spanish, Welsh, Dutch or Old Norse, and that category is the card's origin group. Three: the entry's etymology or surname line gives a meaning in quotation marks, and the card prints that line, cut at a clause where it runs long; entries whose gloss names a drink, a weapon, a fight, a faith or an insult were left out for a site children use. Four: the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (https://github.com/cmusphinx/cmudict, read the same day) holds the name, and the syllable count is the number of vowel sounds in its first pronunciation there; a name it lacks is left out. 600 names passed all four. The site's rule is that at most 40 in 100 names of a list may also stand in its other lists: the 134 names no other list holds were all kept, and of the 466 others 83 were taken in turn from each origin group, the most common first. A second reader then checked every card against its entry the same day, and nine names came off: the entry gave the surname no meaning of its own, the meaning belonged to another word or origin, or the gloss was one the third test leaves out. That leaves 208 names, 128 that no other list holds and 80 others. Glosses in British spelling are printed in American spelling. An origin is what a dictionary records for the surname in general, not for any one family. Licence: The census file is a work of the US federal government and in the public domain (17 U.S.C. 105). Origins and meanings draw on English Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Syllable counts are computed from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, which Carnegie Mellon University releases under a BSD-style license. The selection is our own work.