Browse Submitted Surnames

This is a list of submitted surnames in which the usage is Belgian; and the source is Occupation.
usage
source
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Krijgsman Dutch
Means "warrior, soldier" in Dutch, derived from krijg "war, warfare" and man "person, man".
Kroes Dutch, Low German
Means "chalice, cup, jug" in Dutch, an occupational name for someone who made drinking vessels, such as a potter. Could also be a habitational name for someone who lived by a sign depicting a cup.
Kroeze Dutch, Low German
Variant spelling of Kroes.
Krouwel Dutch
From Middle Dutch crauwel meaning "trident, hook, claw", an occupational name for someone who used such a tool, or habitational name for someone who lived near a landmark depicting it.
Kruis Dutch, Flemish
Means "cross" in Dutch, a habitational name for someone who lived near a crossroads, a sign depicting a cross, or a place where people were executed. Could also denote someone who made crosses, either the religious symbol or the instrument of torture.
Kuijper Dutch
Variant of Kuiper
Kuijt Dutch
Occupational name for a brewer of beer, derived from Dutch kuit, koyt literally meaning "beer". A famous bearer of this name is retired Dutch soccer player Dirk Kuijt (1980-), also known as Dirk Kuyt.
Kuperus Dutch
Latinized form of Kuiper "barrel cooper".
Kusters Dutch
Variant of Koster.
Kuyper Dutch
Variant of Kuiper
Kuypers Dutch
Variant of Kuiper
Kuyt Dutch
Variant of Kuijt, notably borne by the Dutch former soccer player Dirk Kuyt (1980-).
Laborde French
Derived from the French word borde meaning "small farm" (from Frankish bord meaning "plank") with the definite article la. This is an occupational surname for a tenant farmer.
Lacasse French
Means "box maker"
Lacour French
topographic or occupational name for someone who lived at or was employed at a manorial court (see also Court).
Lakeman Dutch
Either a topographic name for someone who lived by a lake or pond, from Middle Dutch lake "lake, pool; stream, marshland" and man "person, man", or an occupational name from laken "broadcloth".
Lambillotte French (Modern)
Currently, a common name in Wallonia, Belgium with some descendants in USA. Believed to be derived from three terms..."lamb" "ill" "otte". The first term has remained unchanged from early Germanic term; the second is latin for "of the" and the third a dimiuative or feminine form suffix... [more]
Lance French
From Old French lance "lance, long spear", an occupational name for a soldier or a nickname for a fighter who used the weapon.
Lançon French
Can be a habitational name from any of several locations in France, a diminutive form of Lance, or possibly derived from Old French lançon "branch", a topographic name for someone living in a forested area or an occupational name for a woodcutter... [more]
Lanier French, English
Occupational name designating one who worked in the wool trade (see Lane 2), derived from Old French lanier (ultimately from laine) meaning "wool", or for a keeper of donkeys, from Old French asnier literally "donkey keeper, donkey driver"... [more]
Lansdowne French, English
The first marquis lansdowne, land owners for there lords and farmers also know as tenants.
Lanson French
Variant of Lançon.
Laplume m French (Rare)
It is a French last name translated to the feather. It can also mean the quill, the writer, and the pen.
Larcher French
variant, with fused definite article l', of Archer "bowman".
Lasalle French
1. French: local name or occupational name for someone who lived or worked at a manor house, from Old French sal(e) ‘hall’ (modern French salle; see also Sale), with the definite article la... [more]
Lavender English, Dutch
Occupational name for a washerman or launderer, Old French, Middle Dutch lavendier (Late Latin lavandarius, an agent derivative of lavanda "washing", "things to be washed"). The term was applied especially to a worker in the wool industry who washed the raw wool or rinsed the cloth after fulling... [more]
Lebaron French
Either a variant of Baron "baron" with the French masculine definite article le. Or a habitational name from Le Baron the name of several places in various parts of France.
Leconte French
from the Old French title of rank conte "count", an occupational name for a servant in the household of a count or who was one.
Leduc French, Breton
From the Old French title of rank duc "duke" (from Latin dux "leader" genitive ducis) with the French masculine definite article le used as a nickname for someone who gave himself airs and graces or else as a metonymic occupational name for a servant employed in a ducal household.
Le Guet French
Variant of Guet with the article le "the".
Le Maistre French
From French meaning 'master'
Le Marchand French
Variant of Marchand with fused French definite article le.
Lemass French, Irish
Meaning uncertain. It may be derived from Old French maistre meaning "master", ultimately from Latin magister (see Masterson). Another theory holds that it comes from Irish Gaelic Laighmheasa, a given name meaning "dispatch"... [more]
Lemercier French
French surname designating a vendor of sewing materials, from the word mercier.
Lemire French
From Old French "Mire" (From Latin medicus, meaning physician), with French definite article "Le".
Le Monnier French
Occupational surname for a miller, literally meaning "the miller" in French.
Lemonnier French
Variant spelling of Le Monnier.
Lenoir French
Means "the black" in French, from noir "black", a variant of Noir combined with a definite article le. A famous bearer of the name was Belgian-French engineer Étienne Lenoir (1822-1900), the inventor of the internal combustion engine.
Leprince French
Means "the prince" from Old French prince (Latin princeps).
Lesieur French
From old French sieur "lord, overlord" (from Latin senior "elder") fused with le either an occupational name for someone in service of a great lord or an ironic nickname for someone who gives himself airs or graces.
Lesueur French
Means "the shoemaker" in French.
Lever Dutch, English
Possibly from personal name composed of the elements leof "dear, beloved" and here "army" or hard "strong", such as Leofhere or Leffert.
L'Huillier French
Denoted a person who produces or sells oil, from French huile "oil" with fused definite article l'. Anne Geneviève L'Huillier (1958-) is a French physicist who beat the world record for the shortest laser pulse, of 170 attoseconds.
Licht German, Dutch, Yiddish
Means "light" or "candle". Could be an occupational name for a chandler, a topographic name for someone who lived in a clearing (see Lichte), or a nickname for someone who had light hair, or who was agile and slender.
Lindt German, Dutch
Derived from given names containing the elements lind "tender, mild, gentle hearted" or lind "linden tree, shield"... [more]
Liné French (Rare)
From Old French liné meaning "made of linen". This name was an occupational name for someone who weaved linen or was a linen merchant.
Loisel French
Derived from Old French oisel "bird" with fused definite article l' used as a nickname for a flighty individual or perhaps for a small birdlike person but possibly also as a metonymic occupational name for a bird-catcher.
Lorain French
Occupational name for a saddler, derived from the Old French word lorain, meaning "a leather strap used on a horse's breastplate".
Louwers Dutch
Either a patronymic from a short form of Laurentius, or an occupational name for a tanner from Dutch looien "to tan (leather)".
Lussier French
Occupational name from old French ussier "usher, doorkeeper".
Macon French, German
French: See Maçon. An occupational name for a mason, French maçon. Habitational name from places so called in Saône-et-Loire, Allier, Aube, the Côte d’Or, Gers, and Deux-Sères... [more]
Maisel Yiddish, German, French
Predominantly seems to be a matronymic surname from the Yiddish feminine name Mayzl. Although it is believed that it derived from the Hebrew name Meïser, which means “representative of God”... [more]
Maître French
occupational name for the head of a craft or trade guild from Old French maistre "master" (from Latin magister)... [more]
Maitre French
occupational name for one who was the head of a craft or trade guild, from Old French maistre ‘master’ (Latin magister).
Maker Dutch (Rare)
An occupational name for someone who makes or repairs things, from Dutch maken "to make, mend, create".
Mallet Anglo-Norman, Medieval English, French, Catalan
Originated in Norman France and spread to England following the Norman conquest of 1066. The surname comes from the given name Malle, an Old English diminutive of Mary or from the given name Malo, a popular form of the name of Saint Maclovius, a 6th-century Welsh monk who the church of Saint Maclou in Rouen is named for.... [more]
Mantel English, German, French, Dutch
nickname for someone who wore a cloak in a particularly conspicuous way or with a striking design, from Middle English, Middle High German, Old French, and Middle Dutch mantel "cloak, coat" (from Late Latin mantellus)... [more]
Maquet French
From a derivative of bac ‘tub’, also ‘ferry’, used as a metonymic occupational name for a maker or for a boatman.... [more]
Marchal French, Walloon
Either a status name or occupational name from Old French mareschal "marshal" (from Late Latin mariscalcus)... [more]
Marchant French, English, Spanish
Variant of Marchand, from French marchand meaning "merchant, mercantile". Though it is of French origin, it was transferred into the Spanish-speaking world, especially Chile, by French invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.
Maréchal French, Walloon
French cognate of Marshall and variant of Marchal.
Markgraf German, Dutch
status name from Middle High German marcgrāve "margrave" (which is a title derived from marc "boundary" and grāve "royal judge")... [more]
Marquis English, French
From the title of nobility, which originally denoted an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. A march was originally denoted as a border region at a frontier. The word marquis was derived from Late Latin marchensis, from Frankish *marku "boundary, border"... [more]
Marsman Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch marsch, mersch (Southern Dutch meers), meaning "marsh". In some cases, however, it can also be a variant of Meersman.
Martelle English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese
English and German: from a medieval personal name, a pet form of Martin or Marta.... [more]
Massard French
French form of Massaro.
Masse English, French
English: variant of Mace ... [more]
Mast German, Dutch
Derived from Middle High German and Middle Dutch mast "mast (fodder made of acorns and beechnuts); the process of fattening livestock", an occupational name for a pig farmer or a swineherd. In some cases, however, the German name may also have been derived from Middle High German mast, mastic "fat, stout".
Mast Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch mast "(ship's) mast; pole", a nickname for a tall, lanky man. Alternatively, it can derive from the homonym mast "pig fodder, animal fodder".
Mastin French, Flemish, Walloon
occupational name for a household servant or guard from Old French mastin "watchdog, manservant" (from Latin mansuetudinus "domestic"). The Old French word had the further sense of a bad-tempered dog and was used as an adjective in the sense of "bad cruel".
Mazarin French
French form of Italian Mazzarino.
Meeboer Dutch (Rare)
Possibly an occupational name for someone who brewed or sold mead, from Dutch mede (also mee) "mead" and boer "farmer, peasant; merchant, producer (of a product)".
Meersman Flemish
An occupational name for a travelling salesman, from Middle Dutch merseman "itinerant merchant, peddler".
Meester Dutch, Flemish, German
Occupational name for a teacher, lecturer or a master craftsman, or a nickname for someone who had a bossy demeanor, derived from Dutch meester meaning "master". A famous bearer of this surname is the American actress, singer and model Leighton Meester (1986-).
Melle French
Occupational name derived from Old French melle "buckle, ring".
Menier French
Variant of Meunier.
Messier French
Occupational name for someone who kept watch over harvested crops, Old French messier 'harvest master' (Late Latin messicarius, agent derivative of messis 'harvest').
Metselaar Dutch
Means "bricklayer, mason" in Dutch.
Meulen Dutch, Belgian
Variant spelling of Molen, meaning "mill".
Mick German, Dutch
Occupational name from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch micke "(wheat or rye) bread". Alternatively, a Germanized form of Mik.
Millet French, Catalan
metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of millet or panic grass or a topographic name for someone who lived by a field of millet from French and Catalan millet (from Latin milietum a derivative of milium in Old French mil "millet").
Minion French
French form of Miner, an occupational name for a someone working in a mine.
Minor English, German, French
English: variant spelling of Miner.... [more]
Modderman Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch modder "mud", this name used to denote a dustman, a garbage man.
Moes Dutch
Derived from Middle Dutch moes "stew, mush, vegetables, food", either on its own as a nickname for a cook or vegetable farmer, or as a shortened form of a longer name, such as the toponym Moespot "vegetable pot".
Mol Dutch
Means "mole (animal)" in Dutch. Could be a nickname for someone with poor eyesight or who was known for digging, an occupational name for a mole catcher, or a habitational name for someone from Mol in the Antwerp province, Belgium.
Molenaar Dutch
Derived from Dutch molenaar "miller".
Molnar Dutch
Variant of Molenaar.
Monier French, English, French (Huguenot)
French variant of Monnier and occupational name for a moneyer from Middle English monier "moneyer" (Old French monier) or for a miller from Old French monier "miller".
Munch Danish, French, Norwegian (Rare)
Either a variant of Münch or Munk, both meaning "monk". A notable bearer was Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944), whose best known work is 'The Scream'.
Munk German, Scandinavian, Dutch, English
From Middle High German münich Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish munk Middle Dutch munc "monk" a nickname for someone thought to resemble a monk or a metonymic occupational name for someone in the service of a monastery... [more]
Nauta Dutch
Humanistic Latinization of Schipper, from nauta "sailor, seaman, mariner".
Nijboer Dutch
Means "new farmer".
Noir French
Means "black" in French, denoting a person with a dark complexion, or someone who habitually wears dark clothing, or a night worker.
Noppe Flemish
Possibly related to Middle Dutch noppe "tuft of wool, tassel", a metonymic name for someone who worked with cloth, or a nickname for someone with a slight stature. Alternatively, from a childish form of the given name Norbert.
Olive French
Given to someone who worked with olives from old french olive "olive" ultimately latin oliva "olive".
Pannebakker Dutch
From Middle Dutch panne "pan, roof tile" and backer "baker", an occupational name for someone who made roof tiles.
Pannekoek Dutch
Means "pancake" in Dutch, possibly a nickname for someone who made or liked to eat pancake. Alternatively, it could derive from a place name, such as an inn or field named for pancakes.
Papier French, German, Jewish
Means "paper" in French and German, denoting a paper maker or merchant, both derived from Old French papier.
Parquier French
From an Old French word meaning "Keeper of the Park". Made from the element "Parc", meaning park, and the suffix "-ier", which indicates a profession. The surname Parker is a descendant.
Parsley Medieval French, English, Norman, French
Derived from Old French passelewe "cross the water."... [more]
Pasquier French
Meaning uncertain. Possibly "keeper of the oven."
Pasteur French
French for "shepherd" or "preacher, pastor". Famous bearer Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), French chemist who created the first rabies vaccine, gave his name to the process of 'pasteurization'.
Pater Dutch, German, English, Polish
From Latin pater "father", used as a religious title for a priest in Roman Catholicism. Possibly used semi-literally for a man who worked in the church, or figuratively for a solemn or pompous man.
Pêcheur French
French for "fisher."
Pechtold German, Dutch, Jewish
From the Old German given name Pechtholt, which is composed of the elements pecht "rotation" and holdt "hero". As a Dutch-language surname, it is derived from the Middle Dutch given name Pechte combined with Old High German walt "power, authority"... [more]
Pelissier French
From Old French "Pelicier", (Meaning "Furrier", from an agent derivative of pelice, meaning "Fur cloak", from Late Latin "pellicia", from "pellis", meaning "skin fur". An occupational name of someone likely in the fur and hide trade.
Pelkey French (Anglicized)
Anglicized version of French surnames Peltier and Pelltier.
Pelsmaker Dutch
Occupational name for a pelt maker, from Dutch pels "pelt, fur" and maker "maker"
Peltier French
Variant of Pelletier (from Old French pellet, a diminutive of pel "skin, hide").
Pépin French
From the Old French name Pepis, itself a form of the given name Pépin. Alternatively, it may be derived from French pépin meaning "(fruit) seed", thus making it an occupational name for a gardener or someone who grew fruit-bearing trees.
Persoon Dutch, Flemish
Dutch cognate of Parsons.
Pieper German, Dutch
Occupational name for a piper.
Pijl Dutch
Means "arrow, projectile" in Dutch, an occupational name for an archer or fletcher.
Pijpers Dutch
Dutch cognate of Piper.
Pin Dutch
From Middle Dutch pinne meaning "peg, pin", probably an occupational name for a craftsman who used them in his work.
Piquet French
Occupational name for someone who dealt with picks from a diminutive of pic ''pick, pickax''.
Pittler French
A surname which originally belonged to a person who lived by a pit or hollow. Meaning "King of the Pit" or "King of the Hollow".
Plante French
French cognate of Plant.
Plate German, Dutch
metonymic occupational name for a maker of plate armor from Middle High German blate plate Middle Dutch plate "plate armor plating".
Plato German, Dutch, Polish, English
From the Given name Plato the Latinized form of Platon. English variant of Plater.
Plumer German, English, Dutch
North German (Plümer) and English: variant of Plum, the suffix -er denoting habitation or occupation. Altered form of South German Pflümer, an occupational name for a grower or seller of plums, from an agent derivative of Middle High German pflume ‘plum’... [more]
Plumier French, Belgian
Possibly an occupational name for a dealer in feathers and quills, from an agent derivative of Old French plume "feather, plume" (compare English and Dutch Plumer)... [more]
Poilièvre French, French (Quebec)
Meaning uncertain, possibly from French pois aux lièvres "yellow pea, split pea" or a combination of French poil "hair" and lièvre "hare", denoting a furrier.
Poisson French
Poisson is the French word for fish, and was given to one who was a fishmonger, fisherman, or could be a nickname for one who had the appearance similar to a fish.
Poitier French
Evidently an altered spelling of Pothier. A famous bearer of this surname was the Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier (1927-2022).
Poland English, German, French (Anglicized), Irish (Anglicized)
English and German name is derived from the Middle High German Polan, which means "Poland". The surname originally signified a person with Polish connections.This French surname originated from an occupational name of a poultry breeder, or from a fearful person; it is derived from the Old French poule, which means "chicken".In other cases, particularly in Ireland, the English Poland is a variant of Polin,which is in turn an Anglicised form of the original Gaelic spelling of Mac Póilín, which translated from Irish means "son of little Paul"... [more]
Pontiff French
Means "bridge builder". Comes from the French word pont, which means bridge. ... [more]
Poortman Dutch
Occupational name for a gatekeeper or topographic name for someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town, from Dutch poort "gate" and man "man, person".
Port English, German, French
Either from Middle English porte "gateway, entrance" (Old French porte, from Latin porta), hence a topographic name for someone who lived near the gates of a fortified town or city, or for the gatekeeper... [more]
Portier French
occupational name for the gatekeeper of a walled town or city, or the doorkeeper of a great house, Old French portier (from Late Latin portarius)... [more]
Portman German (Americanized), Dutch
Americanized form of German Portmann, as well as a Dutch variant of Poortman (and in some cases an Americanized form)... [more]
Postma West Frisian, Dutch
West Frisian variant of the Dutch and North German surname Posthumus, given to a child born after their father’s death. It could also be a variant of the habitational name Post or an occupational name for a mailman or guard, using the Frisian suffix -ma.
Pot Dutch
From Middle Dutch pot "pot, jar", an occupational name for a potter, or perhaps a toponymic surname referring to a low-lying piece of land.
Potier French
An occupational name for a maker of drinking and storage vessels, from potier "potter", an agent derivative of Old French pot "drinking vessel"... [more]
Prévost French
From Old French prevost meaning "provost", a status name for officials in a position of responsibility.
Prevot French
A prevot was a govenment position during the Ancient Régime
Prieur French
from prieur Old French prior "prior" a monastic official immediately subordinate to an abbot (from Latin prior "superior") hence an occupational name for a servant of a prior or an ironic nickname... [more]
Prins Dutch, Jewish
Means "prince" in Dutch, a doublet of Prince. Often a habitational name for someone who lived or worked near a location named Prins, such as an inn or windmill, or sign depicting the Prince of Orange... [more]
Proost Dutch, Belgian
Means "provost" in Dutch, a leadership position.
Prost Dutch
Variant or Americanized form of Proost.
Provost English, French
Derived from the Middle English provost; referring to the person who heads a religious chapter in a cathedral or educational establishment. It was also used as a nickname for a self-important person and is a French variant of Prevost.
Pulver Low German, French, English
I comes from the Latin verb meaning "to make powder." This name was given to either an alchemist or one who made gunpowder.
Pyle Dutch (Americanized)
Americanized form of Dutch Pijl, a metonymic occupational name for a marksman or an arrowsmith, derived from pijl meaning "arrow".
Pyper Scottish, Irish, English, Dutch (Americanized, Archaic)
Scottish, Irish and English: variant of Piper. This form of the surname is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland.... [more]
Questel French, Medieval French (?)
The surname Questel was first found in Normandy. Currently, Questel is the most commonly occurring last name in Saint-Barthélemy, a French island in the Caribbean Sea.... [more]
Raad Dutch
Metonymic occupational name for an adviser, counselor, or member of a town council, from raad "advice, counsel", or derived from a given name containing the element (see rēdaz).
Raat Dutch
From Middle Dutch raet "advice, counsel". Could be an occupational name for a member of a council, or a short form of names containing rēdaz, such as Radulf... [more]
Rabiot French
Occupational name for a radish merchant.
Racine French
Means "(tree) root" in French, used as an occupational name for a grower or seller of root vegetables or as a nickname for a stubborn person.
Range German, French
German: nickname for a ragamuffin, from Middle High German range ‘naughty boy’, ‘urchin’.... [more]
Ranger English, German, French
English: occupational name for a gamekeeper or warden, from Middle English ranger, an agent derivative of range(n) ‘to arrange or dispose’.... [more]
Ravel French, French (African)
Derived from either a place called Ravel in the district of Drome or Provence, or from the word 'rave' meaning a root vegetable, and hence a grower or seller of such items.
Ravenel English, French
Habitational name from Ravenel in Oise or a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of horseradish, from a diminutive of Old French ravene ‘horseradish’ (Latin raphanus)... [more]
Régis French
Occupational name for a local dignitary, from a derivative of Old French régir "to rule or manage".
Relyea German, French (Anglicized)
Altered spelling of southern German and French Rellier, or probably a regional variant of Swiss German Reller, especially in the western provinces of Austria... [more]
Rhett Dutch
Anglicized form of Dutch de Raedt, derived from raet "advice, counsel". Compare Raad.
Ridder German, Dutch
Dutch form and German variant of Ritter.
Rivet French, English
French: from a diminutive of Old French rive ‘(river) bank’, ‘shore’ (see Rives).... [more]
Rivett English, French
English (East Anglia): metonymic occupational name for a metalworker, from Middle English, Old French rivet ‘small nail or bolt’ (from Old French river ‘to fix or secure’, of unknown origin).... [more]
Robineau French
derived from the Old French word robine, which was the word that was used for the communication channel of a salted fountain or barrel pond... [more]
Rocher French
From French roche, meaning "rock'. It indicates a person who worked at a quarry.
Roos Estonian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, German (Swiss), Low German
Means "rose" in Estonian and Dutch. Swedish and Danish variant of Ros, also meaning "rose". This could be a locational name for someone living near roses, an occupational name for someone who grew roses, or a nickname for someone with reddish skin.
Rooster Dutch (Rare)
Possibly related to German Rüster, an occupational name for an arms dealer.
Ros Dutch
Could be an occupational name for a horse breeder or trader derived from Middle Dutch ros "horse, steed" (see hros), or a nickname for someone with red hair or ruddy skin derived from Dutch ros "reddish; red-haired, ginger".
Rubin French, German, Slovene, Croatian, Czech, Slovak
Metonymic occupational name for a jeweler, from Middle High German rubn Old French rubi Slovenian and Croatian rubin Czech and Slovak rubín "ruby"... [more]
Sabatier French
Meaning "cobbler, shoemaker".
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]
Salm Dutch
Denoted a person from any of various places called Salm. It could also derive from Dutch zalm meaning "salmon", referring to someone who lived near a sign depicting them, or to someone who fished for salmon.
Sartain French
Means, "Tailor".
Saulnier French
In Middle French (the form of French spoken from 1340 to 1610), it literally means "salt merchant".
Schaal German, Dutch, French, Jewish
Either a nickname for a braggart or a market crier, (derived from Middle High German schal meaning "noise, bragging"), an occupational name for someone who made dishes for scales and vessels for drinking, (from Middle Low German and Dutch schale "dish"), a habitational name from Schaala in Thuringia or the Schaalsee lake near Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, or a topographic name for someone living on marshy land, (from Dutch schald "shallow")... [more]
Schaap Dutch
Means "sheep" in Dutch, an occupational name for a shepherd. Alternatively, it could be a nickname for someone who looked or behaved like a sheep in some way, or who lived by a sign depicting a sheep.
Schacht German, Flemish
From Middle Low German and Middle Dutch schacht "shaft; pole, tunnel", a metonymic occupational name for someone who made shafts for tools or weapons, or who worked in a mineshaft.
Schade German, Dutch
From schade "damage, injury", a derivative of schaden "to do damage, harm, hurt", generally a nickname for a thug or clumsy person, or, more particularly, a robber knight, who raided others’ lands.
Schalk German, Dutch
From Old High German scalc "servant, retainer, jester", which eventually evolved to mean "joker, rogue, knave". Could be an occupational name for an attendant or jester, a nickname for someone mischievous, or derived from a given name containing scalc as an element, such as Godschalk.
Scheepens Dutch
From Middle Dutch schēpen "alderman", a member of a municipal council.
Schellekens Dutch
Patronymic form of Schelleken, a diminutive of given names derived from scalc "servant, knight", such as Schalk or Godschalk... [more]
Schenkel German, Dutch, Jewish
Means "leg, shank", an occupational name for a butcher or a nickname for someone with long or otherwise notable legs.
Scheper Dutch, Low German
Means "shepherd" in Dutch and Low German.
Schild German, Dutch
Occupational name for a maker or painter of shields, from Middle High German, Middle Dutch schilt "shield".
Schilder Dutch
Means "painter" in Dutch, derived from Middle Dutch schildere "shield painter" (from schilt "shield"), originally denoting someone who painted coats of arms on shields. An occupational name for someone who painted houses, shields, or anything else.
Schink Dutch
Variant of Schenk.
Schippers Dutch
Patronymic form of Schipper.
Schoen Dutch
Means "shoe" in Dutch, an occupational name for a shoemaker.
Schoenmaker Dutch
Means "shoemaker" in Dutch, a cognate of Schuhmacher.
Scholtes Dutch
Patronymic form of Scholte.
Schot Dutch
Name originates from the German name Schott, meaning peddler. Shortened in late 17th century.
Schreuder Dutch
Dutch cognate of Schröder 1 and Schröder 2.
Schreur Dutch
Shortened form of Schreuder.
Schrijver Dutch
Means "scribe, clerk, writer" in Dutch, cognate to German Schreiber.
Schrijvers Dutch
Dutch cognate of Scriven. A famous bearer was the Dutch soccer goalkeeper Piet Schrijvers (1946-2022).
Schroot Dutch
Possibly an altered form of des Groot via Sgroot, meaning "son of the Groot", itself a byname meaning "great, large". Alternatively, it could be related to schroot "scrap (metal)" or the older scrode "to cut", an occupational name for someone who worked with metal, or perhaps a tailor.
Schruijer Dutch
Possibly a variant form of Schreier, from Dutch schreien or schreeuwen, meaning "to scream, shout, yell".
Schut Dutch
Variant of Schutte.
Schutte Dutch, Low German, South African
Variant of (Schütte), an occupational name for an archer.
Sénécal French
status name for a seneschal an official in a large household who was responsible for overseeing day-to-day domestic arrangements from Old French seneschal (of ancient Germanic origin composed of the elements sini "old" and scalc "servant")... [more]
Sénéchal French
Variant of Sénécal, a status name for a seneschal an official in a large household who was responsible for overseeing day-to-day domestic arrangements from Old French seneschal (of ancient Germanic origin composed of the elements sini "old" and scalc "servant").
Seydoux French, French (Swiss), Occitan
Derived from the Germanic names Sedulius, Sedulfus or Segedolfus. Another theory suggests Occitan roots; it might be an occupational name for someone who worked with silk, derived from Occitan sedós meaning "silky, soft"... [more]
Seynaeve Flemish
Either derived from Old French chenave "hemp", an occupational name for a hemp farmer, or a cognate of German Senft "mustard".
Seys Belgian, Flemish
Possibly derived from a pet form of François, or from Middle Dutch cijns "toll, tribute, feudal tax".
Shoemaker English, German (Americanized), Dutch (Americanized)
English cognate of Schuhmacher. It could also be an Americanized form of Schuhmacher, Schoemaker, or other names denoting a shoemaker.
Slaats Dutch
Possibly a contracted form of Dutch des laats meaning "the serf", from Middle Dutch laets "serf, bondsman, freedman".
Sleegers Dutch
Older form of modern Dutch slager "butcher" and slachter "slaughterer", derived from Old Germanic *slahaną "to hit, to strike; to kill".
Slot Dutch
Means "lock, clasp" in Dutch, an occupational name for a locksmith.
Sluiter Dutch
Means "gatekeeper, porter, prison guard, cellar master" in Dutch, literally "one who closes".
Smet Flemish
Flemish form of Smit.
Smid Dutch
Means "smith" in Dutch, cognate to English Smith.
Smidt Dutch
Variant spelling of Smit, or a corruption of the German cognate Schmidt.
Smolders Belgian (Modern)
A Flemish occupational name equivalent to "Miller", meaning a person who operated a wind or water mill for grinding grain.
Smoot Dutch (Americanized)
Americanized form of Smout.
Smout Dutch, Flemish
Means "oil, lard, melted animal fat" in Dutch, an occupational name for someone who sold fat or lard, or a nickname for someone who ate – or who could afford to eat – large amounts of food containing it.
Smulders Dutch
Occupational name derived from Dutch des mulders meaning "son of the miller". A famous bearer is Canadian-American actress Cobie Smulders (1982-).
Snoek Dutch
Means "pike (fish)" in Dutch.
Snyder Dutch, English, German, Yiddish, Jewish
Means "tailor" in Dutch, an occupational name for a person who stitched coats and clothing.... [more]
Soldat Russian, Ukrainian, French, German
Means "soldier" in various languages.
Soulier French
Metonymic occupational name for a shoemaker, from Old French soulier ‘shoe’, ‘sandal’.... [more]
Spaans Dutch
Either a patronymic from the archaic given name Spaan, of uncertain etymology, or an occupational name derived from Middle Dutch spaen "wood chip, piece of wood; spoon, spatula".
Speer German, Dutch, English
German and Dutch cognate of Spear, as well as an English variant of the same surname.
Spoor English, Dutch
From Middle Dutch and Middle English spoor "spur", an occupational name for a maker or seller of spurs.
Staal Dutch
From Old Dutch stal meaning "steel", a metonymic occupational name for a steelworker or blacksmith.
Staley Belgian
From Old French estalee "fish trap", hence possibly a metonymic occupational name for a fisherman, or topographic name for someone who lived near where fish traps were set.
Stoker Dutch
Means "stoker, one who stokes a fire" or "firestarter, agitator" in Dutch, an occupational name or a nickname for a troublemaker.
Stoop Dutch
From Middle Dutch stoop "pitcher, stone bottle, wine jug", an occupational name for an innkeeper or a nickname for a heavy drinker.
Storm Dutch, Flemish
Occupational name for someone who rang an alarm bell warning of oncoming storms.
Stricker German, Low German, Dutch
Occupational name for a rope maker or knitter (of hose, for example), from an agent derivative of Middle High German, Middle Low German stricken ‘to tie’.
Strycker Dutch
From Dutch de Strycker, an occupational name for someone responsible for measuring out cloth or grain. See also Stryker.
Stryker Dutch
From Dutch Strijker, an occupational name for someone whose job was to fill level measures of grain by passing a flat stick over the brim of the measure, thus removing any heaped excess... [more]
Strynckx Flemish
Variant form of Dutch Streng "strong, rope, cord", a metonymic occupational name for a rope maker. Alternatively, it could be a nickname derived from streng "strict, severe, cruel".
Suurbier Dutch
Dutch cognate of Sauerbier. A famous bearer was the Dutch soccer player Wim Suurbier (1945-2020).
Tabak Dutch
Occupational name for a butcher or hog breeder, from Middle Dutch tucbake composed of tucken "to pull, push, strike" and bake "hog, pig; meat from the back of a pig".
Tailleur French
French for "tailor."
Tasman Dutch
Derived from Dutch tas "bag" and man "person, man". Usually a metonymic name for someone who made bags, though in at least one case it was taken from the name of a ship, De Tas.
Tavernier French
occupational name from Old French tavernier "innkeeper" (from Late Latin tabernarius from taberna "inn")... [more]
Temple English, French
Occupational name or habitational name for someone who was employed at or lived near one of the houses ("temples") maintained by the Knights Templar, a crusading order so named because they claimed to occupy in Jerusalem the site of the old temple (Middle English, Old French temple, Latin templum)... [more]
Templier French
French variant of Temple, given to someone who was a member of the Templar order.
Tessier French
Occupational Name For A Weaver, From Old French Tissier (From Late Latin Texarius, A Derivative Of Texere ‘To Weave’). It Is Also Found In England As A Surname Of Huguenot Origin. Compare Tacey.
Tetreault French
Ultimately derived from French tistre "to weave".
Timmer Dutch, Low German
Means "timber" in Dutch and Low German, an occupational name for a carpenter.
Timmerman Dutch, Flemish
Means "carpenter" in Dutch, literally "timber man".
Timmermans Dutch, Flemish
Patronymic form of Timmerman.
Tisserand French
French for "weaver."
Tisseur French
Occupational surname meaning "weaver".
Tonnelier French
Means "cooper" in French, from Middle French tonnel "barrel".
Tournier French
French form of Turner.
Transon French
Possibly from Old French tronçon "block of wood", perhaps an occupational name for a woodcutter.
Trezeguet French
Meaning uncertain, possibly an occupational name derived from Old French treize, treze meaning "thirteen" and guet (itself from Old French gué) meaning "look-out, watch, vigil"... [more]
Tromme Belgian, German (Swiss)
From low German meaning "drum".
Trommel Dutch
From Dutch meaning "drum".
Tromp Dutch
Occupational name for a musician derived from trompet "trumpet, horn", or possibly Middle Dutch tromme "drum".
Troy Dutch
From a short form of the personal names Geertrui and Geertruida, Dutch forms of Gertrude... [more]
Vaandrager Dutch
Means "flag-bearer, ensign" in Dutch, from vaan "banner, vane, flag" and drager "carrier, bearer".
Vacher French, English
occupational name from Old French vachier "cowherd".
Valk Dutch
Means "falcon" in Dutch, a metonymic occupational name for a falconer, or possibly derived from the given name Falk. Compare Falco.
Vallet French, English
French topographic name from a diminutive of Old French val "valley" (see Val ) or a habitational name from (Le) Vallet the name of several places mainly in the northern part of France and French and English occupational name for a manservant from Old French and Middle English vallet "manservant groom".
Van De Leest Dutch, Flemish
Derived from Dutch leest meaning "last, boottree", a tool used by shoemakers to shape boots. This can be either an occupational name for cobblers, or a habitational name from the settlement of Leest, itself possibly named for a field in the shape of a boot.
Van Der Aarde Dutch
Variant of Van der Aart. Means "from the earth".
Van Der Hooning Dutch
Possibly related to Honig.
Van der Ploeg Dutch
Means "of the plough" in Dutch, an occupational name for a farmer or a bookbinder (a ploeg also being a tool used in binding books), or a habitational name for someone who lived by a sign depicting a plough.
Van Der Valk Dutch
Means "of the falcon" or "from De Valk" in Dutch. Compare Valk.
Van der Weide Dutch
Means "from the pasture" in Dutch, either a topographic name for someone who lived by a meadow, or a metonymic occupational name for a butcher.
Van der Werf Dutch
Means "from the wharf" or "from the shipyard" in Dutch, derived from werf meaning "quay, wharf, shipyard", or from the older form werve "dyke, quay, bank". Can be a topographic name for someone who lived near such a place, or an occupational name for someone who worked at a shipyard, such as a carpenter.
Vangarde French
"(A soldier) in the leading edge of an army formation"
Vanier French
Variant of Vanier.
Vaniet French
Variant of Vannier.
Vaniez French
Variant of Vannier.
Van Merrienboer Dutch
Occupational name for a mare farmer, derived from Middle Dutch merrie meaning "mare (female horse)" and boer meaning "peasant, farmer".
Vannier French
Means "winnower, basket-weaver".
Vansickle Dutch (Americanized)
Americanized form of a hypothetical Dutch surname, probably derived from either the given name Sikkel (see Siegel) or from sikkel meaning "sickle, scythe".
Van Tol Dutch
Means "of (the) toll" or "from Tol" in Dutch, derived from tol "toll (fee); toll booth, toll house", a habitational name for someone who lived near or in a toll house or a place named for one, or a metonymic occupational name for a toll collector... [more]
Van Wyngarden Dutch (Americanized)
Americanized form of van Wijngaarden (see Wijngaard).
Vassar French, English
Name indicating the status of "a vassal or serf" in feudal society.
Veilleux French
variant of veilleur, a night guard of nightwatch.
Veldman Dutch
Means "field man" in Dutch, a name for a farmer, or someone who lived by a field.