Browse Submitted Surnames

This is a list of submitted surnames in which the usage is English; and the source is Nickname.
usage
source
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Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Fey German, English, French, Danish
English: variant of Fay. ... [more]
Figgis English
From a medieval nickname for a trustworthy person (from the Anglo-Norman form of Old French fichais "loyal").
Fillery English
From a medieval nickname derived from Anglo-Norman fitz le rei "son of the king" (see also Fitzroy), probably applied mainly (and ironically) to an illegitimate person or to someone who put on quasi-royal airs.
Fine English (?)
English nickname for a clever or elegant man, from Old French fin ‘fine’, ‘delicate’, ‘skilled’, ‘cunning’ (originally a noun from Latin finis ‘end’, ‘extremity’, ‘boundary’, later used also as an adjective in the sense ‘ultimate’, ‘excellent’).
Finger English, German, Jewish
Probably applied as a nickname for a man who had some peculiarity of the fingers, such as possessing a supernumerary one or having lost one or more of them through injury, or for someone who was small in stature or considered insignificant... [more]
Fink German, Slovene, English, Jewish
Nickname for a lively or cheerful person, Jewish ornamental name derived from the Germanic word for "finch", and German translation of Slovene Šinkovec which is from šcinkovec or šcinkavec meaning "finch".
Flag English (Rare), English (African), German (Rare)
Habitual surname for someone who lived in or near a bog or peat soil, from Old Norse flag(ge). Also used as a variant of Flack.
Flint English, German
Topographic name for someone who lived near a significant outcrop of flint, Old English, Low German flint, or a nickname for a hard-hearted or physically tough individual.
Flook English
From Old English flōc "flathead, flounder (fish)".
Fluke English
Variant of Flook. Can also be an Americanized form of German Fluck or Pflug.
Foe English (Rare)
From Middle English fo "foe, enemy; hostile", possibly a nickname for someone who played the Devil in a pageant play. Can also be a variant form of Fow.
Foot English
Variant of Foote.
Foote English
Nickname for someone with a peculiarity or deformity of the foot, from Middle English fot (Old English fot), or in some cases from the cognate Old Norse byname Fótr.
Fort French, Walloon, English, Catalan
Either a nickname from Old French Middle English Catalan fort "strong brave" (from Latin fortis). Compare Lefort... [more]
Fow English
Derived from Middle English fou "spotted, stippled, multicoloured".
Foweather English
Derived from the place name Fawether, Bingley, itself a combination of Middle English fah "multicoloured, stippled" and hather "heather"... [more]
Fowl English, Popular Culture
This name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and derives from the Old English pre 7th Century word fugol, "fowl", "bird", which was used as a byname and as a personal name. The medieval form of the word was the Middle English development foul, fowl(e), used as a continuation of the Old English personal name and also as a nickname for someone who in some way resembled a bird.
Foxe English
Variant of Fox
Foxx English
Variant of Fox.
Frame English, Scottish
From the Old English word fram, meaning "vigorous, strong, brave".
Frankham English, Anglo-Norman
Status name from Old French franc, fraunc "free" and homme "man", equivalent to Freeman.
Frankly English (Rare)
Variant of Frank (1).
Free English
Nickname or status name from Old English frēo "free(-born)", i.e. not a serf.
Fresh English
Probably a nickname for someone who's young.
Friend English
Nickname for a companionable person, from Middle English frend "friend" (Old English freond). In the Middle Ages the term was also used to denote a relative or kinsman, and the surname may also have been acquired by someone who belonged to the family of someone who was a more important figure in the community
Frith English, Scottish
From Old English friþ "peace, refuge, sanctuary", probably denoting a person who lives in a sanctuary or at peace. It also be a variant of English surname Firth.
Froment French, Walloon, English
from French froment "wheat" (from Latin frumentum "grain") probably applied as a nickname for a peasant or as metonymic occupational name for a dealer in wheat... [more]
Gabbett English
From the middle English Gabbett, which is from a pet form of the personal name Gabriel.
Gaffney English (American)
This may sound like the female given name Daphne
Gain English
Variant of Gaines.
Gaines English, Norman, Welsh
English (of Norman origin): nickname for a crafty or ingenious person, from a reduced form of Old French engaine ‘ingenuity’, ‘trickery’ (Latin ingenium ‘native wit’). The word was also used in a concrete sense of a stratagem or device, particularly a trap.... [more]
Gall Scottish, Irish, English
Nickname, of Celtic origin, meaning "foreigner" or "stranger". In the Scottish Highlands the Gaelic term gall was applied to people from the English-speaking lowlands and to Scandinavians; in Ireland the same term was applied to settlers who arrived from Wales and England in the wake of the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century... [more]
Gallant English
Nickname for a cheerful or high-spirited person, from Old French, Middle English galant "bold, dashing, lively". The meanings "gallant" and "attentive to women" are further developments, which may lie behind some examples of the surname.
Galt English
An early member was a person with a fancied resemblance to the wild boar.
Gambon English, Irish
Derived from Anglo-Norman French gambon meaning "ham", itself derived from a Norman-Picard form of Old French jambe meaning "leg". A famous bearer is the Irish-English actor Sir Michael Gambon (1940-).
Gammon English
From a medieval nickname applied to a merry or sportive person (from Middle English gamen "game"), or to someone who walked in a strange way or had some peculiarity of the legs (from Anglo-Norman gambon "ham").
Gamp English (British)
This surname is thought to originate from Sarah or Sairey Gamp, Mrs. Gamp as she is more commonly known, in the novel Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.... [more]
Garson Scottish, French, English, German (Anglicized), Spanish, Jewish
Variant of Scottish Carson and Corston, French Garçon, Spanish-Jewish Garzon and English Garston, or an Americanised form of German Gerson... [more]
Gatlin English
English of uncertain origin; probably a variant of Catlin or Gadling, a nickname from Old English gœdeling ‘kinsman’, ‘companion’, but also ‘low fellow’.
Gawkrodger English
From a medieval nickname meaning "clumsy Roger".
Gay English, French
Nickname for a lighthearted or cheerful person, from Middle English and Old French gai "happy, cheerful, joyous".
Gaydos Hungarian, English
Anglicized spelling of Hungarian GAJDOS.
Gaye English
Possibly a nickname for a cheerful person, derived from the archaic word "gay" meaning "happy". A famous bearer was the American singer Marvin Gaye (1939-1984).
Gayler English (American)
Variant of Gaylord
Gaylord English
Derived from Old French gaillard meaning "high-spirited, boistrous".
German English, Norman, German, Jewish, Greek
From Old French germain meaning "German". This sometimes denoted an actual immigrant from Germany, but was also used to refer to a person who had trade or other connections with German-speaking lands... [more]
Gerry English
Diminutive of names containing ger, meaning "spear".
Girling English
From a medieval nickname applied to a brave man (or, with heavy irony, to a cowardly one), from Old French cuer de lion "lion heart".
Glad English, Scandinavian
Nickname for a cheerful person, from Middle English, Scandinavian glad "merry, jolly".
Gladding English
Given as a nickname to someone who is glad, in high spirits, and happy.
Goforth English
Probably given to someone who likes to lead
Golden English
From the English word golden, likely a nickname for someone with blonde hair.
Goldring German, English, Jewish
This surname was probably given to someone who wore a gold ring.
Gooday English
Modernized form of Goody.
Goodchild English
Nickname derived from Middle English god "good" and cild "child". In some cases, it might have instead derived from godchild and been a nickname for someone who was the godchild of a prominent member of the community.
Goodenough English
From a medieval nickname probably applied either to someone of average abilities or to an easily satisfied person; also, perhaps from a medieval nickname meaning "good servant".
Goodfellow English
Generally explained as a nickname meaning 'good fellow' or 'good companion'.
Goodfriend English
Nickname for a reliable friend or neighbor, from Middle English gode meaning "good", and frend meaning "friend". It is an English translation and cognate of German Gutfreund, from Middle High German guot meaning "good" and vriunt meaning "friend".
Goodheart English
Nickname for a kindly person.
Goodson English
Nickname for a dutiful son, from Middle English gode ‘good’ + sone ‘son’.
Goodwill English
Nickname for a friendly or amiable person; from Middle English god(e), gud(e) goud(e), meaning "good" and wil(le), meaning "will, volition".
Goodyear English
Probably a nickname from Middle English expression gode ‘good’ (Old English gōd) + year, yere ‘year’ commonly used as an intensifier in questions e.g. ‘What the good year?’... [more]
Goose English, Norman
Occupational name for a goose-herd (a person who tends to geese) or a medieval nickname for a person who resembled a goose in some way. It could also be a English (of Norman French origins) cognate of Gosse.
Goot English
Variant of Good.
Goss English
Derived from the Old English word gos meaning "goose."
Grato English
From a nickname given to somebody with grass-like hair, making this surname’s meaning “he with grass-like hair.”
Greay English (Rare)
The name Greay originated when a family matriarch changed the name to differentiate between the two families with the same name Grey. There was a wedding between the two families and it was easier if the name was changed.
Greeley English, Norman
English (of Norman origin): nickname for someone with a pock-marked face, from Old Northern French greslé ‘pitted’, ‘scarred’ (from gresle ‘hailstone’, of Germanic origin).
Greenleaf English
From Old English grēne "green" and lēaf "leaf", presumably applied as a nickname, the significance of which is now lost.
Grissom English
From a diminutive of Grice, which was originally a nickname for a grey-haired man, derived from Middle English grice, gris meaning "grey" (itself from Old French gris, apparently of Germanic origin).
Grumpy English, English (American)
Grumpy was english name possibly origin of Germanic languages and other spoken languages or other European languages
Guest English
Nickname for a stranger or newcomer to a community, from Middle English g(h)est meaning "guest", "visitor" (from Old Norse gestr, absorbing the cognate Old English giest).
Gulliver English
From a medieval nickname for a greedy person (from Old French goulafre "glutton"). Jonathan Swift used it in his satire 'Gulliver's Travels' (1726), about the shipwrecked ship's surgeon Lemuel Gulliver, whose adventures "offer opportunities for a wide-ranging and often savage lampooning of human stupidity and vice."
Gumm English
From a nickname or byname from Middle English gome, Old English guma "man".
Haldane English, Scottish
From an old personal name, Old Norse Halfdanr, Old Danish Halfdan, Anglo-Scandinavian Healfdene, meaning ‘half-Dane’.
Halfpenny English
Nickname probably for a tenant whose feudal obligations included a regular payment in cash or kind (for example bread or salt) of a halfpenny. From Old English healf "half" (from proto Germanic halbaz) and penning "penny" meaning "half penny".
Hallmark English
From Middle English halfmark ‘half a mark’, probably a nickname or status name for someone who paid this sum in rent.
Hamill English
Nickname for a scarred or maimed person, from Middle English, Old English hamel "mutilated", "crooked".
Hammer German, English, Jewish
From Middle High German hamer, Yiddish hamer, a metonymic occupational name for a maker or user of hammers, for example in a forge, or nickname for a forceful person.
Harington English
Variant spelling of Harrington. A famous bearer is English actor Kit Harington (1986-).
Harkaway English
From a sporting phrase used to guide and incite hunting dogs.
Harless English, German
English: probably a variant spelling of Arliss, a nickname from Middle English earles ‘earless’, probably denoting someone who was deaf rather than one literally without ears.
Harry English
From first name Harry.
Harwin English
From the Old French personal name Harduin, composed of the Germanic elements hard 'hardy', 'brave' + win 'friend'.
Hawke English
Variant of Hawk
Hawkiss English (Archaic)
An extinct surname. Corruption of Hawkins.
Hawks English
Variant of or patronymic from Hawk.
Haworth English
Literally means "enclosure with a hedge," from the Old English words haga + worth.
Hazard English, French
Nickname for an inveterate gambler, a crafty person, or a brave or foolhardy man prepared to run risks, from Middle English hasard via Old French hasart "dice game, game of chance", later used metaphorically of other uncertain enterprises... [more]
Hazzard English
Variant spelling of Hazard.
Heeley English, Irish
Variant of English Healey or Irish Healy.
Henni English
A name coined by the contributor of this name, to describe himself
Herring German, English, Dutch, Scottish
Occupational name for a fisherman, someone who caught or sold herring, or perhaps someone known for eating herring. It could have also been a nickname from the medieval phrase "to like neither herring nor barrel", meaning something of little value.
Heyer English
Variant of Ayer.
Hike English
To hike or move, to walk, someone who hikes.
Hillock English
Derived from the English word hillock, referring to a small hill.
Hind English, Scottish
English (central and northern): nickname for a gentle or timid person, from Middle English, Old English hind ‘female deer’.... [more]
Hiscock English
From Hick, a Middle English pet form of Richard, with the diminutive suffix -cok.
Hoar English
Nickname meaning gray haired.
Hoare English
From a nickname meaning "gray-haired", ie. "hoary".
Hodge English
Nickname from Middle English hodge "hog", which occurs as a dialect variant of hogge, for example in Cheshire place names.
Hoe English
Topographic name for someone who lived by a spur of a hill.
Holladay English
English: from Old English haligdæg ‘holy day’, ‘religious festival’. The reasons why this word should have become a surname are not clear; probably it was used as a byname for one born on a religious festival day.
Holloman English (British)
Nickname, perhaps ironic, from Middle English holy ‘holy’ + man ‘man’.
Horobin English
From a nickname meaning "gray robin".
Hosey English
Typically from the name of the area of Houssaye in the Seine-Maritime region of Normandy. A more unusual derivation shows that some in some cases the name finds its roots in the word hussey, an Old English nickname female head of household.
Hoyle Welsh, English
Derived from Old English holh meaning "hole". It is thought to have originally been a name for someone who lived in a round hollow or near a pit.
Humble English
Nickname for a meek or lowly person, from Middle English, Old French (h)umble (Latin humilis "lowly", a derivative of humus "ground").
Hummer German, English
Hummer is the German word for 'Lobster' in English. It is also the name of a vehicle- the 'Hummer'!
Hurley English, Irish
Meaning is "from a corner clearing" in Old English. Also an anglicized form of an Irish name meaning "sea tide" or "sea valor".
Inan English, Irish
Possibly a variant of Dunn.
Ireland English, Scottish
Ethnic name for someone from Ireland, Old English Iraland. The country gets its name from the genitive case of Old English Iras "Irishmen" and land "land". The stem Ir- is taken from the Celtic name for Ireland, Èriu, earlier Everiu... [more]
Ironside English
Possibly from Middle English irenside (Old English iren ‘iron’ + side ‘side’), a nickname for an iron-clad warrior.
Jacox English
A variant spelling of Jaycox.
Jade English, French
From the given name Jade. It could also indicate someone with jade green eyes.
Jay English, French
Nickname from Middle English, Old French jay(e), gai "jay (the bird)", probably referring to an idle chatterer or a showy person, although the jay was also noted for its thieving habits.
Jaycox English
A patronymic surname from a pet form of the given name Jack.
Jaye English
Variant of Jay.
Jessey English (British, Americanized, Rare)
of Hebrew origin. More commonly anglicized as Jesse, it derives from the Hebrew, of the given name .
Jew English
Ethnic name for a Jew, from Middle English jeu meaning "Jew" from Old French giu.
Job English, French, German, Hungarian
English, French, German, and Hungarian from the personal name Iyov or Job, borne by a Biblical character, the central figure in the Book of Job, who was tormented by God and yet refused to forswear Him... [more]
Jolley English
The surname Jolley came from the English word jolly.
Jolly English
From the English word jolly, which is ultimately from Old French joli# ("merry, happy"). Originally a nickname for someone of a cheerful or attractive disposition.
Judge English, Irish
occupational name for an officer of justice or a nickname for a solemn and authoritative person thought to behave like a judge from Middle English Old French juge "judge" (from Latin iudex from ius "law" and dicere "to say") which replaced the Old English term dema... [more]
Jupe English
A kind of cloak or cape. It is possible that an ancestor of an individual with this surname was known for their association with these kinds of clothing.
Kaigler English (American)
Americanized spelling of Kegler.
Kaler English, German (Americanized)
Americanized form of German Kahler, Köhler, or Kehler.
Keate English
Variant of Kite.
Keats English
Variant of Kite.
Keeling Irish, English
Irish: see Keeley. ... [more]
Keene English
Variant of Keen.
Kenner English
Possibly derived from Middle English kenner "teacher", derived from kennen "to make known, to teach".
Ketts English (British)
The proud Norman name of Ketts was developed in England soon after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for a person who has a fancied resemblance to a cat. The name stems from the Old Northern French cat, of the same meaning, which occurs in many languages in the same form from a very early period.
Kiff English
Possibly a variant of Kift, itself from an Old English nickname meaning "clumsy, awkward".
Kind English
Nickname from Middle English kynde meaning "kind, type, nature" or "disposition", possibly used in the sense of "legitimate".
Kingson English (African)
Means "son of a king, prince".
Kipps English
From Middle English Kipp, perhaps a byname for a fat man, from an unattested Old English form Cyppe, which according to Reaney is from the Germanic root kupp 'to swell'.
Kirsten English
English and modernized version of Kirstein
Kitching English
The surname is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a cook, deriving from the Old English word cycen.
Kite English
From the name of the bird of prey, derived from Middle English kete "kite, bittern".
Knatchbull English
A nickname from Old English knatch "to strike" + bull "bull", indicating strength.
Knife German (Americanized), English
Americanized form of German Kneif a variant of Kneip. A nickname from Middle English knif "knife dagger" (Old English cnīf) perhaps used for a cutler... [more]
Knoll English, German, Jewish
English and German topographic name for someone living near a hilltop or mountain peak, from Middle English knolle ‘hilltop’, ‘hillock’ (Old English cnoll), Middle High German knol ‘peak’... [more]
Knuckles English
Possibly a nickname for someone with prominent knuckles.
Kox English
Variant of Cox
Kurtis English
Variant of Curtis.
Kyte English
Variant of Kite.
Lace English
Possibly a nickname for someone who wore braided laces as clothing ties or a belt, or an occupational name for someone made such articles.
Laity English
Nickname for a trustworthy person, from Old French léauté ‘loyalty’ (Latin legalitas, a derivative of legalis ‘legal’, ‘by law’).
Lambe English
Variant of Lamb.
Lamkin English
Diminutive of Lamb.
Langhorne English
From Middle English lang "long" and horn "horn". Can be a habitational name from a place named with the elements, with horn used in the sense of a promontory or extending piece of land... [more]
Large French, English
Originally a nickname derived from Middle English and Old French large "generous".
Lark English
From the name of the bird, a nickname for a singer or a cheerful person, or perhaps someone who caught and sold larks. Alternatively, could be a shortened form of the personal name Larkin.
Larter English
Uncertain etymology. Possibly a variant of the French Habitational surname Latour. Other theories connect it to Old Teutonic lahtro "place where animals bear young", or to Old English lyrt "liar, deceiver; crooked", though the latter is unlikely.
Laverick English
Derived from Old English lāferce meaning "lark", making it a cognate of Lark.
Leaf English
Derived from Old English lēof "dear, beloved".
Leal English
Derived from Old French leial "loyal, faithful (to obligations)", this name was occasionally used as a nickname for a trustworthy person.
Leamon English
From an Old English word leof related to love and in this case meaning "beloved" plus the word man.
Legg English
From the Old Norse: 'long legged' or 'fast runner' (or both).
Lent English, German, Dutch
Nickname from either Old English lencten meaning "spring season, springtime" or from Germanic langa-tinez meaning "long days" which refers to the increasing daylight of spring. Likely a nickname for someone who was born or baptized during springtime.
Lever French, English
Nickname for a fleet-footed or timid person, from Old French levre "hare" (Latin lepus, genitive leporis). It may also have been a metonymic occupational name for a hunter of hares.
Leverich English
The surname Leverich was first found in West Yorkshire at Liversedge, a township that dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Livresec, a manor belonging to Radulf, a vassal of Ilbert de Lacy... [more]
Leverock English
Archaic form of Lark. Compare Laverick.
Light English
Nickname for a happy, cheerful person, from Middle English lyght, Old English lēoht "light (not dark), bright, cheerful".
Lillicrap English
From a medieval nickname for someone with very fair hair (literally "lily-head").
Lilly English
Derived from Lilly, a pet name for Elizabeth. It was also used as a nickname for someone with fair skin or hair, and is derived from Old English lilie meaning "lily (the flower)"... [more]
Lillywhite English
From a medieval nickname for someone with very fair hair or complexion. It was borne by English cricketers James Lillywhite (1842-1929), first captain of England, and William Lillywhite (1792-1854), pioneer of overarm bowling, uncle of James... [more]
Lily English
Derived from Lily, a pet name for Elizabeth. It was also used as a nickname for someone with fair skin or hair, and is derived from Old English lilie meaning "lily (the flower)"... [more]
Lively English
Nickname from Middle English lifly, "lively", "nimble".
Locke English, German
From Old English or Old High German loc meaning "lock of hair, curl".
Loud English
from the English word "loud", given to a loud or, in jest, quiet person
Love English, Scottish
From Anglo-Norman French lo(u)ve meaning "female wolf."
Loveday English
Means either (i) "person particularly associated with a 'loveday'" (a day when, by custom, old differences were settled and reconciliations were made); or (ii) from the medieval female personal name Loveday, a descendant of Old English Leofdæg, literally "beloved day"... [more]
Lovejoy English
Combination of Middle English love(n), luve(n) "to love" and joie "joy".
Lovelock English
From a medieval nickname for a dandy or a man conceited about his appearance (from lovelock, a term for an elaborately curled lock of hair). This surname is borne by British scientist James Lovelock (1919-), formulator of the "Gaia" concept.
Lovett English, French
From Ango-Norman French "louvet" meaning "young wolf".
Lowehart English
Variation of Lowheart, used to denote people who seem to show a lack of consideration through expression
Lumpkin English
Diminutive form of Lamb.
Luter English
From Middle English leuter "lute player", or else from Old French lutre "otter", either a nickname or a metonymic name for someone who hunted otters.
Lytwyn English
English transliteration of Ukrainian литвин (see Lytvyn).
Main English, Scottish
A nickname for a strong or very large man, derived from Old French magne "great, strong, large".
Mains English
Nickname of Norman origin, derived from Old French mains "with the hands".
Makepeace English
From a medieval nickname for a skilled conciliator. It was borne by English cricketer Harry Makepeace (1881-1952).
Makin English
Nickname derived from Middle English maide "girl, young woman" and the diminutive suffix -kin.
Male English
Nickname for a virile man, from Middle English male meaning "masculine".
Mallory English, Anglo-Norman
The more common variant of the surname Malory. Originally an Anglo-Norman byname for an unfortunate or unhappy person, from the Old French word "maleuré" meaning "unfortunate", "wretched" "wicked"... [more]
Malory Anglo-Norman, English
The older variant of the surname Mallory. Originally an Anglo-Norman byname for an unfortunate or unhappy person, from the Old French word "maleuré" meaning "unfortunate", "wretched" "wicked"... [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]
Mantle English, German (Americanized)
English variant and Americanized form of Mantel.
Marmion English, French, Irish
1. English (of Norman origin) and French: nickname from old French marmion “monkey”, “brat”. ... [more]
Marquis French, English
for someone who behaved like a marquis or an occupational name for a servant in the household of a marquis, from Old Northern French marquis... [more]
Martelle English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese
English and German: from a medieval personal name, a pet form of Martin or Marta.... [more]
Marvel English
Either (i) from a medieval nickname (often ironic) for someone regarded as a prodigy; or (ii) "person from Merville", the name of two places in northern France ("smaller settlement" and "settlement belonging to a man with a Germanic name beginning with Meri-, literally 'famous'")... [more]
Massingberd English
Perhaps from a medieval nickname for someone with an auburn or reddish beard (from Middle English massing "brass" + berd "beard").
Mayor English, Spanish, Catalan
English variant of Mayer 3 and Catalan variant of Major. Either a nickname for an older man or a distinguishing epithet for the elder of two bearers of the same personal name, from mayor "older", from Latin maior (natus), literally "greater (by birth)"... [more]
Meakin English
Variant of Makin.
Meehan Irish, English
Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Miadhacháin meaning "descendant of Miadhacháin", a diminutive of the byname Miadhach "honorable".
Melmoth English
From middle english milde, meaning "mild, gentle, friendly" and mouth. The development of the surname may have been influenced by association with Middle English mele-mouth, meaning "mealy-mouthed, reticent, ingratiating, hypocritical".
Meriwether English
Means "happy weather" in Middle English, originally belonging to a cheery person.
Merriweather English
From a medieval nickname for someone of a cheerful disposition (cf. Meriwether).
Mickley English
It comes the French name Michelet, which comes from the name Michael, as in the angel. ... [more]
Midler English
Nickname for a person who causes trouble or meddles in the affairs of others, derived from Middle English medeler meaning "meddler, troublemaker, one who interferes". This name is borne by the American singer, actress and comedienne Bette Midler (1945-).
Mildmay English
From a medieval nickname for an inoffensive person (literally "mild maiden").
Minor English, German, French
English: variant spelling of Miner.... [more]
Mistry English
Influenced by the English word mystery meaning unknown.
Mockler English, Irish
Might derived from Gaelic names Ó Mochlair or Mac Mochlair, where moch means "swift."
Monarch English
Origin unidentified. Perhaps a translation of French Monarque, Monarc, a nickname for a high-handed or haughty person, from Old French monarque 'monarch'.
Moneypenny English
Probably from a medieval nickname for a rich person or a miser. A fictional bearer is Miss Moneypenny, secretary to M (the head of MI6) in the James Bond novels of Ian Fleming and in the films based on them.
Moody English, Irish
Either from Middle English modie "angry, haughty, impetuous", or Old English modig "brave, proud".
Moorcock English
From a medieval nickname for someone thought to resemble a moorcock (the male of the red grouse). It is borne by British author Michael Moorcock (1939-).
More English, Scottish
Variant of Moore 3. A famous bearer was the English lawyer, humanist, and martyr Saint Thomas More (1478-1535).
Mort English
Perhaps from a Norman nickname based on Old French mort "dead", possibly referring to someone with a deathly pallor or otherwise sepulchral appearance.
Moth English
From a nickname derived from Middle English mothe meaning "moth". Known bearers include New Zealand photojournalist Margaret Moth (1951-2010), British artist Charlotte Moth (1978-), and British Roman Catholic bishop Richard Moth (1958-).
Motley English
This surname may come from a nickname for someone wearing parti-coloured clothes (from Anglo-French motteley, which may come from Old English mot meaning "speck").
Mousel German (Austrian, Anglicized), English
Anglicisation of the German Mäusl, from the German word maus - "mouse" combined with a diminutive suffix, literally meaning "little mouse"... [more]
Mudie English
Possibly from Old English 'modig', meaning "brave", or "reckless".
Mumford English (?)
No available.
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]
Munn Scottish, English
Variant form of McMunn. In English, it is a nickname or an occupational name for a person who worked for monks, derived from Anglo-Norman French moun meaning "monk" (see Monk).
Mussett English
Nickname for a foolish or dreamy person, derived from Middle English musard meaning "absent-minded, stupid", ultimately from Old French musart, musarde meaning "confused".
Mussey English
Nickname from Middle English mūs ‘mouse’ + ēage ‘eye’.
Nead English
1. English: possibly a metonymic nickname for a needy person, from Middle English ne(e)d ‘need’. ... [more]
Nears English
French in origin, it is derived from the word "Noir," which is the equivalent of the English word "Black." It could have referred to a person with dark features, hair, or perhaps even one who was thought to engage in nafarious, or "dark," deeds.
Neave English
Variant of Neeve
Neaves English
Variant of Neeve
Neeve English
Variant of Neve.
Neeves English
Variant of Neeve
Neighbor English
From the Middle English word neighbor, derived from neghebour, which in turn comes from the Old English words neah, meaning "near", and gebur, meaning "a dweller". This may have been used as a nickname for someone who was a 'good neighbor', more likely it evolved from the term of address for someone living nearby.
Neve English, Dutch, German, Danish, Swedish
Ultimately derived from Old Germanic nefo "nephew, grandson". In Middle English, it also became a term meaning "wastrel, spendthrift".
New English
Nickname for a newcomer to an area, from Middle English newe meaning "new".
Newcomer English (American)
Nickname for a person who was new to a town or location, from Old English niwe meaning "new" and cumen meaning "to come".
Newitt English
Possibly derived from Middle English newete "newt", or perhaps from the Dutch personal name Nout.
Nice English
From the English word 'nice', meaning "kind".
Nightingale English
Nickname for someone with a good voice from Middle English nightegale "nightingale" (Old English nihtegale, ultimately from niht "night" and galan "to sing").
Nobbs English
Derived from Hob, a Medieval English diminutive of Robert.
Noon English
Either (i) from a medieval nickname for someone of a sunny disposition (noon being the sunniest part of the day); or (ii) from Irish Gaelic Ó Nuadháin "descendant of Nuadhán", a personal name based on Nuadha, the name of various Celtic gods (cf... [more]
November English (American)
From the name of the month.
Nute English
Possibly derived from the given name Cnute, or be a variant of Newitt. Alternatively, it may be from Old English hnutu "brown", a nickname for someone with a brown complexion or hair.
Nyce English
Variant of Nice.
Odham English
Variant of Odom, altered by folk etymology as if derived from a place name formed with -ham.
Odom English
Medieval nickname for someone who had climbed the social ladder by marrying the daughter of a prominent figure in the local community, from Middle English odam ‘son-in-law’ (Old English aðum).
Old English
From Middle English old, not necessarily implying old age, but rather used to distinguish an older from a younger bearer of the same personal name.
Oliphant English
Means "elephant" (from Middle English, Old French and Middle High German olifant "elephant"), perhaps used as a nickname for a large cumbersome person, or denoting someone who lived in a building distinguished by the sign of an elephant.
Olyphant English, Scottish
Variant of Oliphant. A famous bearer is American actor Timothy Olyphant (1968-).
Ong English
Variant of Yong
Onge English
Variant of Ong or Yonge
Orange Medieval English, Medieval French, English
Derived from the medieval female name, or directly from the French place name. First used with the modern spelling in the 17th century, apparently due to William, Prince of Orange, who later became William III... [more]
Orange English, French
Nickname for someone associated with the color orange.
Owner English
From English owner meaning "a person who owns something".
Pagan English
Variant of Payne.
Paine English
Variant spelling of Payne.
Paradise English, Scottish
Nickname for someone who "lived by a park or pleasure garden".
Pardoe English
From a medieval nickname based on the Old French oath par Dieu "by God" (cf. Purdie).
Parfitt English, Welsh
Derived from Middle English parfit meaning "perfect."
Parson English
Means "priest, cleric, minister" in English, either an occupational name for someone who worked for a parson, a nickname for someone considered particularly pious, or perhaps given to illegitimate children of a priest.
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