American Submitted Surnames

American names are used in the United States. See also about American names.
usage
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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Rolls English
Possibly derived from the Latin word rotus, meaning "wheel". It would indicate one who built wheels as a living. A famous bearer was American inventor and entrepreneur Charles Rolls (1877-1910), founder of the Rolls-Royce Ltd along with Henry Royce (1863-1933).
Rolston English
English habitational name from any of various places, such as Rowlston in Lincolnshire, Rolleston in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire, or Rowlstone in Herefordshire, near the Welsh border... [more]
Romana Catalan, French, Italian, Polish, English (Rare), German, Hungarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Belarusian
From the feminine form of the Latin personal name Romanus, which originally meant "Roman".
Romney English
English: habitational name from a place in Kent, so called from an obscure first element, rumen, + Old English ea ‘river’ (see Rye).
Romp English, German
Likely a variant of Rump.
Romsey English
From the town of Romsey in Hampshire, England. The surname itself is derived from Old English rum meaning "broad", and ey meaning "area of dry land in a marsh."
Romwe English
likes to dress up
Ronald English
Derived from the given name Ronald.
Ronalds English
This surname is derived from the given name Ronald.
Ronaldson English
This surname means “son of Ronald”.
Rondelli Italian, English, French
From the medieval name "Rondello" derived from French "rondel" meaning "go around, round" or "rondel", a French old nickname for a round, plump man.
Ronson English
Means "son of Ron"
Rood English
Designating someone who lived near a cross, rood in Middle English
Rook English
From a medieval nickname for someone thought to resemble a rook (e.g. in having black hair or a harsh voice).
Roome English
Variant of Rome.
Roose English, Dutch, German
Variant spelling of Rose 1, Rose 2, Roos or Ross.
Root English
A nickname for a cheerful person, from Middle English rote "glad, cheerful".
Root English
From Middle English and Old French rote, an early medieval stringed instrument similar to a guitar that was played by turning wheels like a hurdy-gurdy.
Roper English
English: occupational name for a maker or seller of rope, from an agent derivative of Old English rāp ‘rope’. See also Roop.
Rosco English
Variant of Roscoe.
Roseland English
Americanized form of Norwegian Røys(e)land; a habitational name from about 30 farmsteads, many in Agder, named from Old Norse reysi ‘heap of stones’ + land ‘land’, ‘farmstead’.
Roseman English
From the Norman feminine name Rosamund.
Rosemary English
From the plant, meaning "dew of the sea".
Rosemont English
From rose "rose" + mont "mount". Also the name of a town in central California, near Sacramento. In 1880, there were 6 Rosemont families in Indiana.
Rosevear Cornish, English
From the name of a Cornish village near St Mawgan which derives from Celtic ros "moor, heath" and vur "big".
Rosewood English
Denoting someone who came from a rose wood or grove.
Rosseau French, American
Variant spelling of Rousseau. Comes from the Old French word rous meaning "red", likely a nickname for someone with red hair or a particularly rosy complexion.
Rossie English
Possibly a variant of Rossi.
Rothwell English
An English surname meaning 'Lives by the red spring"
Roubichou English
French surname that is probably an altered spelling of Robichon or Robicheaux, pet forms of Robert.
Rough English
A topographic name referring to a dwelling with uncultivated ground, ultimately deriving from Olde English ruh meaning "rough".
Round English
Variant of Rounds.
Roundtree English
Variant spelling of Rowntree.
Rouse English
From a nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion, derived from Old French rous "red", from Latin russus "red, reddish-brown".
Routh English
From the village and civil parish of Routh in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England (recorded in the Domesday book as Rutha). The place name may derive from Old Norse hrúedhr meaning "rough shaly ground"... [more]
Rover English, German (Anglicized)
This surname is derived from Middle English roof (from Old English hrof) combined with the agent suffix (i)er, which denotes someone who does/works with something. Thus, the surname was originally used for a constructor or repairer of roofs.... [more]
Rowell English
From a diminutive of Rowland or Rolf or a location name meaning "rough hill".
Rowett English
English from a medieval personal name composed of the Germanic elements hrod ‘renown’ + wald ‘rule’, which was introduced into England by Scandinavian settlers in the form Róaldr, and again later by the Normans in the form Rohald or Roald... [more]
Rowlands English
Derived from the given name Rowland.
Rowley English
Anglo Saxon Name- locational, comes from several places in England such as in Devonshire, Yorkshire, County Durham and Staffordshire. It means ' rough wood or clearing', from the Old English 'run' meaning rough and 'leah', meaning clearing in a wood.
Rowling English
From diminutives for the given names Rollo or Rolf. Famous bearer is the author of the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling whose initials stand for Joanne Kathleen.
Royal English
From the given name Royal.
Roys English
From the given name Roy.
Royse English
From the medieval female given name Royse the medieval form of Rose. Variant of Rose 2.
Rubble English, Norman
From given name Rumbald or from the English word "rubble"
Rudd English
From a nickname for someone with a ruddy complexion, ultimately derived from Old English rudu "redness, ruddy complexion". A famous bearer of the name is British-American actor Paul Rudd (1969-).
Rudel English
Derived from the location of Ryedale or Rydal
Rudyard English
From the location Rudyard (Staffs) which is recorded as Rudegeard in 100 The place-name probably derives from Old English rude "rue" and geard "enclosure yard".
Ruffin English
From the medieval French male personal name Ruffin, from Latin Rufinus, a derivative of Rufus (literally "red-haired one")... [more]
Rugby English
From Rugby, Warwickshire. Originally named *Rocheberie, from Old English *Hrocaburg, 'Hroca's fort', the name was altered due to influence fort Danish settlers, with the second element being replaced with Old Norse byr, 'farm'.... [more]
Rugeley English
From the name of a town in Staffordshire, England, derived from Old English hrycg "ridge" and leah "woodland clearing".
Rugg English
Nickname for a person associated with the color red, whether through hair color, clothing, or complexion. Accordingly, the name is derived from the Old French word ruge, meaning red.
Rule Scottish, English
Scottish name from the lands of Rule in the parish of Hobkirk, Roxburghshire. The derivation is from the River Rule which flows through the area, and is so called from the ancient Welsh word "rhull" meaning "hasty or rushing".... [more]
Rumbelow English
Means "person from Rumbelow", the name of various locations in England ("three mounds").
Rumble English
Descended from the personal name Rumbald/Rombold, which is composed of the Germanic elements hrom "fame, glory" and bald "bold, brave".
Rumford English
From the parish of Romford in Essex, England. The name means "the wide ford" from Old English rúm "wide".
Rumney English
Variant of Romney.
Rumpole English
A different form of Rumbold (from the Norman personal name Rumbald, of Germanic origin and probably meaning literally "fame-bold"). A fictional bearer of the surname is Horace Rumpole, the eccentric QC created by John Mortimer (originally for a 1975 television play).
Runcie English, Scottish
Derived from Latin runcinus, and related to the Old French "roncin", for a horse of little value. Middle English, Rouncy, as in Chaucer's Cantebury Tales.... [more]
Rundell English
Nickname derived from a diminutive of Middle English and Old French rond, rund meaning "fat, round" (see Rounds), or derived from Rundale, a local place in the village and civil parish of Shoreham in Kent, England, named with Old English rum(ig) meaning "roomy, spacious" and dæl meaning "valley".
Rundle English
Cornish surname of unknown origin, possibly related to Arundel.
Runner English (American)
Probably an altered spelling of German Ronner, annoccupational name for a runner or messenger, a lightly armed mounted soldier. Compare Renner. UK The surname Runner was first found in Lancashire. One of the first records of the family was found in the year 1246 when Alan de Runacres held estates in that shire... [more]
Rusby Scottish, English
Alternative spelling of Busby, a parish in Renfrewshire. A name well represented in the Penistone, and Cawthorne districts of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Rushe English, Irish
Variant of Rush
Rushen English
Originally denoted a person who lived near a marsh, noted for its rushes (see Rush). A famous bearer of this surname is the American singer Patrice Rushen (b. 1954).
Rushton English
From the name of various places in England or similar, all derived from Old English risc "rush plant" and tun "enclosure, town".
Russ English
Variant of Rouse.
Rust English, Scottish
A nickname to someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion.
Ruth English, German (Swiss)
English: from Middle English reuthe ‘pity’ (a derivative of rewen to pity, Old English hreowan) nickname for a charitable person or for a pitiable one. Not related to the given name in this case.... [more]
Ruthven English, Scottish
From the name of a barony in Perthshire, Scotland, which comes from Scottish Gaelic Ruadhainn "Dun uplands".
Rutledge English, Scottish
Origin unknown
Rutt English, German
English: variant of Root.... [more]
Rutter English
Either (i) "player of the rote (a medieval stringed instrument played by plucking)"; or (ii) from a medieval nickname for a dishonest or untrustworthy person (from Old French routier "robber, mugger")... [more]
Ryall English
From any of several places in England named from Old English ryge "rye" + hyll "hill".
Ryals English
English occupational surname.
Ryans English
Variant of Ryan.
Rycroft English
Derived from Rycroft, in the parish of Birstall, Yorkshire
Rydell English (Rare)
Possibly a variant of Riddell.
Ryerson English (American)
Americanized spelling of Swedish Reierson or of any of its cognates, for example Dutch Ryerse, Ryersen or Norwegian and Danish Reiersen.
Ryle English
Habitational name from Royle in Lancashire (see Royle).
Rylo English
Variant of the surname Rilo.
Rymer English
Occupational name for a poet.
Ryser English
Variant of Reiser based on the English word riser.
Sadile English
1 English (mostly Lancashire): probably a variant of Sale .... [more]
Saffeels English (Rare), German (Rare)
Used as a last name a minimum of 82 times in (USA, Germany).
Sage English, French
A nickname for a person with great wisdom. From Middle English and Old French sage "wise" (see also Sage).
Saige English (American)
English variant of Sage.
Sailer English
Variant spelling of Saylor.
Sailor English
Variant of Saylor.
Sainsbury English
Habitational name from the village of Saintbury in Gloucestershire, from the Old English given name Sæwine and burg "fortress, fortification, citadel".
Saint English, French
From a nickname for a very pious or religious person, ultimately derived from Latin sanctus "holy, saintly". In some cases, it may be from the Medieval given name Saint, of the same origin.
Saipe English
English: perhaps a habitational name from a minor place in Wiltshire named Stype.
Saise English, Welsh
From the welsh ‘sais’ meaning ‘englishman’.
Saker English
Occupational name for a maker of sacks or bags, derived from an agent derivative of Old English sacc meaning "sack, bag".
Sale English, French
English: from Middle English sale ‘hall’, a topographic name for someone living at a hall or manor house, or a metonymic occupational name for someone employed at a hall or manor house. ... [more]
Salisbury English
Habitational name from the city in Wiltshire, the Roman name of which was Sorviodunum (of British origin). In the Old English period the second element (from Celtic dun ‘fortress’) was dropped and Sorvio- (of unexplained meaning) became Searo- in Old English as the result of folk etymological association with Old English searu ‘armor’; to this an explanatory burh ‘fortress’, ‘manor’, ‘town’ was added... [more]
Salk English (American)
Likely the English form of Schalk, which means "dweller near a willow tree".
Sallis English
A name for someone who lives where sallows grow - sallows being a type of willow, from the Middle English 'salwe'.
Sallow English (Rare)
Sallow comes from the medieval word for willow tree. It is a location surname.
Salt English
From the name of a town in Staffordshire, derived from Old English sealt "salt" due to its historical mining for salt and alabaster. In some cases, an occupational name for a maker or seller of salt, of the same origin (see Salter).
Salter English
Occupational name for someone who worked with salt, derived from Middle English salter.
Salthouse English
From the name of any of the various places in England so-called or somebody who lived or worked in a salthouse, all derived from Old English sealthus "salt facility, storehouse for salt".
Saltmarsh English
Last name of cricket player Ian Saltmarsh (1901-1970).
Sambourne English
From the name of a hamlet in Warwickshire, England.
Samways English
From a medieval nickname for a fool (from Middle English samwis "foolish", literally "half-wise").
Sand English, Scottish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, German, Jewish
From the vocabulary word sand. As a Swedish and Jewish name, often ornamental. Otherwise topographic.
Sand English, Scottish
Derived from a short form of Alexander.
Sandburg English (American, Rare)
Americanized from of Swedish Sandberg.
Sandell English
Originated from a name for someone who lived on a sand hill
Sandeman English
Scottish surname of famous merchant family engaged in banking in Scotland and London and in the Port Wine trade in London. The same family were earlier the founders of an obscure Protestant sect the Sandemanians.
Sandhurst English (Rare)
From Sandhurst, the name of places in the English counties of Kent, Gloucestershire and Berkshire, all of which come from the Old English elements sand "sand" and hyrst "hillock, copse".
Sandwell English
From a place called SANDWELL.
Sangwin English
From Middle English sanguine (blood) ,one of the four humours.
Sank English
Possibly taken from a pet form of the given name Samuel.
Sankey English, Irish
Habitational name from a place in Lancashire, which derived from the name of an ancient British river, perhaps meaning "sacred, holy." ... [more]
Santee English
A topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.
Sappingfield American (Anglicized, Rare)
From the German name "Sappenfeld," a small town in Bavaria, Germany. (Pop. 380.) The town itself is named after an early resident named "Sappo;" in English, the name means "Sappo's Field." The name "Sappo" may mean noble (unconfirmed)... [more]
Sard English, French, Spanish, Italian (Rare)
Denoted a person from Sardinia, Italy.
Sarré English
“apologetic”
Sarver English, Jewish
English and Jewish (eastern Ashkenazic) occupational name from Old French serveur (an agent derivative of server ‘to serve’), Yiddish sarver ‘servant’.
Satterthwaite English
From a place in England named with Old English sætr "shielding" and Old Norse þveit "pasture".
Sauls English
From the given name Saul.
Saunder English
From the given name Alexander.
Savell English
English variant of Saville.
Savery English
Originally from the given name of Germanic origin, Savaric
Saville English
A habitational name from an uncertain place in Northern France. This is most likely Sainville, named from Old French saisne, 'Saxon' and ville, indicating a settlement.
Sawin English
From the Old English given name Sæwine, via Middle English Sawin.
Sax English, Norwegian
From the Old Norse personal name Saxi meaning "knife, sword".
Sax English
From Middle English sax meaning "knife", an occupational name for a knife maker, or perhaps a nickname for someone skilled with a knife.
Saxon English
Derived from the tribe of the Saxons from the Anglo-Saxon element seaxa "a Saxon" derived Germanic elements sahso and sahsaz derived from sahsą "knife"... [more]
Saxton English
From the name of a village in West Yorkshire or Cambridgeshire, both derived from the Old Norse given name Saxi or Old English seaxa "Saxon" and tun "enclosure, settlement".
Sayer English
Derived from an Anglo-Norman variant of the Germanic given name Sigiheri, composed of sigu "victory" and heri "army".
Sayer English
Occupational name for a professional reciter or minstrel, derived from Middle English seier "speaker".
Sayre English
Variant of Sayer.
Scaggs English
Variant of Skaggs both of English origin and unknown meaning. Famous bearer is singer Boz Scaggs (1944-) of the Steve Miller Band and the band Toto.
Scales English
Name for a person who lives in a shed.
Scamp English
Variant of Camp with a prosthetic -s.
Scarborough English
From the name of a town in North Yorkshire, derived from the Old Norse byname Skarði and borg "fortress, fortification, citadel".
Scarf English
Variant of Scarff.
Scarfe English
Variant of Scarff.
Scarff English
Nickname from Old Norse skarfr meaning "cormorant".
Scargill English
This ancient surname is of Old Norse origin, and is a locational name from a place called Scargill in Northern Yorkshire, deriving from the Old Norse bird name "skraki", a diving duck, plus the Old Norse "gil", valley or ravine.
Scarla English (American), Italian (Americanized, ?)
Possibly a shortened form of an Italian surname such as Scarlato.
Scarr English
Derived from the word ‘skjarr’ meaning a rocky outcrop / hill
Scattergood English
From a nickname for a spendthrift or a philanthropist, from Middle English skateren "to scatter, to separate" and good "property, goods". A famous bearer of the name is English singer Polly Scattergood (1986-).
Scholes English
Habitational name from any of the places called Scholes or similar in England, all derived from Old Norse skáli "hut, shed".
Schram German, English, Yiddish
Derived from German Schramme (Middle High German schram(me)) and Yiddish shram, all of which mean "scar".
Schug American, German
From the German word Schuh "shoe". ... [more]
Scoggins English
Possibly derived from Old Norse skegg meaning "beard".
Scogings English, Old Danish
A surname of Scandinavian origin from the old Norse and old Danish by-name "Skeggi" or "skoggi", meaning 'the bearded one'. Common in areas invaded and settled by Scandinavians in the 8th and 9th Centuries.
Scotford English
Derived from Scotforth, the name of a village near Lancaster (in Lancashire) in England. The village's name means "ford of the Scot(s)" and is derived from Old English Scott "Scot" combined with Old English ford "ford".
Scotland English
(i) "person from Scotland"; (ii) "person from Scotland or Scotlandwell", Perth and Kinross; (iii) from the Norman personal name Escotland, literally "territory of the Scots"
Screeton English
Locational surname originating from the village of Screveton in Nottinghamshire. Derived of Old English elements scīr-rēfa "sheriff" and tun "settlement".
Scroggins English
Derived from Middle English scrogge meaning "brushwood", given to someone who lived near a bushy area, or perhaps a nickname for someone with a prickly personality.
Scroggs English
From Middle English scrogge meaning "brushwood".
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