Browse Surnames

This is a list of surnames in which the usage is English; and the first letter is N.
usage
letter
Nash English
Derived from the Middle English phrase atten ash "at the ash tree". A famous bearer was the mathematician John Nash (1928-2015).
Neal English
Derived from the given name Neil.
Neil Scottish, English, Irish
Derived from the given name Neil.
Nelson 1 English
Means "son of Neil". This name was borne by the British admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805).
Ness English, Scottish, Norwegian
From English ness and Norwegian nes meaning "headland, promontory", of Old Norse origin, originally referring to a person who lived there.
Neville English, Irish
From the names of towns in Normandy, variously Neuville or Néville, meaning "new town" in French.
Newman English
English cognate of Neumann.
Newport English
Given to one who came from the town of Newport (which means simply "new port"), which was the name of several English towns.
Newton English
From the name of one of many English towns meaning "new town". A famous bearer was the English physicist Isaac Newton (1643-1727).
Nicholls English
Derived from the given name Nichol.
Nichols English
Derived from the given name Nichol.
Nicholson English
Means "son of Nicholas". A famous bearer of this surname is the American actor Jack Nicholson (1937-).
Nigel English
Derived from the given name Neil.
Niles English
Means "son of Neil".
Nixon English
Means "son of Nick". A famous bearer was the American president Richard Nixon (1913-1994).
Noble English, Scottish
From a nickname meaning "noble, high-born, illustrious", derived via Middle English and Old French from Latin nobilis. In some cases the nickname may have been given ironically to people of the opposite character.
Noel French, English
Either from the given name Noël, or else derived directly from Old French noel "Christmas" and given to a person who had a particular connection with the holiday.
Norman English
Referred to a person who was originally from Scandinavia or Normandy. Even before the Norman Conquest, Scandinavians were settling the north and east of England. The Normans who participated in the Conquest were originally from Scandinavia, but had been living in Normandy, France for over a century and spoke French.
Norris 1 English, Scottish
Means "from the north" from Old French norreis. It either denoted someone who originated in the north or someone who lived in the northern part of a settlement.
Norris 2 English
Means "wet nurse, foster mother" from Old French norrice, from Latin nutricius.
North English
Name for a person who lived to the north.
Northrop English
Originally denoted one who came from a town of this name England, meaning "north farm".
Norton English
From the name of various towns in England meaning "north town" in Old English.
Norwood English
Originally taken from a place name meaning "north wood" in Old English.
Nowell English
Variant of Noel.
Nye English
Originally indicated a person who lived near a river, from Middle English atten eye meaning "at the river".