victorian last names

Looking for a Victorian last name?

This list of names shows the rich history behind British surnames from the 1800s.

I’ve put together a list of Victorian surnames that were popular during this time period.

Each name comes with its meaning and origin, making it helpful for family research, choosing character names, or just learning about history.

Let’s start by looking at the most common Victorian last names. Then, we will explore some rare finds that might surprise you.

Most Common Victorian Last Names

Most Common Victorian Last Names

1. Smith

Meaning: Occupational surname for a metalworker or blacksmith.
Origin: Old English

2. Johnson

Meaning: Son of John, a common first name.
Origin: English, Scottish

3. Williams

Meaning: Son of William, derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm (meaning “resolute protector”).
Origin: English, Welsh

4. Brown

Meaning: Likely referring to someone with brown hair, complexion, or clothing.
Origin: Old English

5. Jones

Meaning: Son of John, which means “God is gracious.”
Origin: Welsh

6. Taylor

Meaning: Occupational surname for a tailor, someone who made or repaired clothing.
Origin: Old French, English

7. Davies

Meaning: Son of David, meaning “beloved.”
Origin: Welsh

8. Evans

Meaning: Son of Evan, meaning “young warrior” or “well born.”
Origin: Welsh

9. Thomas

Meaning: Derived from the Aramaic name meaning “twin.”
Origin: Greek, Aramaic

10. White

Meaning: Likely referring to someone with fair skin or hair.
Origin: Old English

11. Harris

Meaning: Son of Harry, a diminutive of Henry, meaning “ruler of the household.”
Origin: English

12. Clark

Meaning: Occupational surname for a clerk, someone who worked with records or documents.
Origin: Old French, English

13. Lewis

Meaning: Derived from the Old German name “Ludwig,” meaning “famous warrior.”
Origin: English, Welsh

14. Walker

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who walked wool to soften it.
Origin: Old English

15. Hall

Meaning: Likely referring to someone who lived in or worked in a hall or manor house.
Origin: Old English

16. Young

Meaning: Likely referring to a younger person or the son of an older person with the same name.
Origin: Old English

17. King

Meaning: Occupational surname for a ruler or someone who served the king.
Origin: Old English

18. Wright

Meaning: Occupational surname for a craftsman or worker.
Origin: Old English

19. Scott

Meaning: Likely referring to someone from Scotland or of Scottish origin.
Origin: Old French, Scottish

20. Green

Meaning: Likely referring to someone who lived near a village green or had a green-colored feature.
Origin: Old English

21. Adams

Meaning: Derived from the given name Adam, meaning “man” or “earth.”
Origin: Hebrew, English

22. Baker

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who baked bread.
Origin: Old English

23. Mitchell

Meaning: Derived from the given name Michael, meaning “who is like God.”
Origin: Hebrew, English

24. Campbell

Meaning: Derived from the Gaelic name “Caimbeul,” meaning “crooked mouth.”
Origin: Scottish

25. Carter

Meaning: Occupational surname for a transporter of goods by cart.
Origin: Old French, English

26. Phillips

Meaning: Son of Philip, meaning “lover of horses.”
Origin: Greek, English

27. Parker

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who worked in a park or hunting ground.
Origin: Old French, English

28. Morris

Meaning: Derived from the Latin name Mauritius, meaning “dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”
Origin: Latin, English

29. Morgan

Meaning: Derived from the Welsh name Morcant, meaning “sea chief.”
Origin: Welsh

30. Roberts

Meaning: Son of Robert, meaning “bright fame.”
Origin: Old German, English

31. Lee

Meaning: Referring to a meadow or clearing.
Origin: Old English

32. Wood

Meaning: Likely referring to someone who lived near a wood or forest.
Origin: Old English

33. Allen

Meaning: Possibly derived from the Celtic name “Alun,” meaning “fair” or “handsome.”
Origin: Celtic, English

34. Hill

Meaning: Likely referring to someone who lived on a hill or elevated ground.
Origin: Old English

35. Edwards

Meaning: Son of Edward, meaning “wealthy guard.”
Origin: Old English

36. Jackson

Meaning: Son of Jack, a diminutive of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
Origin: English

37. Robinson

Meaning: Son of Robin, a diminutive of Robert, meaning “bright fame.”
Origin: Old French, English

38. Cooper

Meaning: Occupational surname for a barrel maker.
Origin: Old French, English

39. Turner

Meaning: Occupational surname for a lathe worker or wood-turner.
Origin: Old French, English

40. Foster

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who took care of children or animals.
Origin: Old French, English

41. Watson

Meaning: Son of Walter, meaning “ruler of the army.”
Origin: Old English

42. Gray

Meaning: Likely referring to someone with gray hair or a grayish complexion.
Origin: Old English

43. Sanders

Meaning: Son of Alexander, meaning “defender of the people.”
Origin: Greek, English

44. Bennett

Meaning: Derived from the Latin name Benedict, meaning “blessed.”
Origin: Latin, English

45. Cook

Meaning: Occupational surname for a cook or someone who prepared food.
Origin: Old English

46. Lawrence

Meaning: Derived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning “from Laurentum” (a place name).
Origin: Latin

47. Hughes

Meaning: Derived from the Germanic name Hugo, meaning “mind” or “intellect.”
Origin: Old French, English

48. Fisher

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who fished or worked with fish.
Origin: Old English

49. Bailey

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who worked as a bailiff or steward.
Origin: Old French, English

50. Graham

Meaning: Derived from the place name “Grantham,” meaning “gravelly homestead.”
Origin: Old English

51. Rogers

Meaning: Son of Roger, meaning “famous spear.”
Origin: Old French, English

52. Price

Meaning: Derived from the Welsh “ap Rhys,” meaning “son of Rhys.”
Origin: Welsh

53. Powell

Meaning: Derived from the Welsh “ap Hywel,” meaning “son of Hywel.”
Origin: Welsh

54. Jenkins

Meaning: Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
Origin: Welsh, English

55. Collins

Meaning: Son of Collin, a diminutive of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people.”
Origin: Greek, English

56. Ward

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who guarded or watched over a place.
Origin: Old English

57. Russell

Meaning: Derived from the Old French word “rous,” meaning “red,” likely referring to a person with red hair.
Origin: Old French, English

58. Palmer

Meaning: Occupational surname for someone who carried a palm branch as a symbol of pilgrimage.
Origin: Old French, English

59. Riley

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “ryge,” meaning “rye” (a type of grain).
Origin: Old English

60. Simpson

Meaning: Son of Sim, a diminutive of Simon, meaning “one who hears.”
Origin: Hebrew, English

61. Grant

Meaning: Derived from the Old French word “grant,” meaning “great” or “large.”
Origin: Old French, English

62. Clarke

Meaning: Occupational surname for a cleric or scribe.
Origin: Old French, English

63. Rose

Meaning: Referring to the flower, often used as a symbol of beauty.
Origin: Old French, Latin

64. Harper

Meaning: Occupational surname for a player of the harp.
Origin: Old English

65. Burns

Meaning: Likely referring to someone who lived near a stream or river.
Origin: Old English

66. Morrison

Meaning: Son of Morris, meaning “dark-skinned” or “Moorish.”
Origin: Old French, English

67. Bell

Meaning: Occupational surname for a bellmaker or bell ringer.
Origin: Old French, English

68. Hunter

Meaning: Occupational surname for a person who hunted animals.
Origin: Old English, Old French

69. Stevens

Meaning: Son of Steven, meaning “crown” or “garland.”
Origin: Greek, English

70. Shaw

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a small woodland or thicket.
Origin: Old English

71. Long

Meaning: Likely referring to someone tall or long-limbed.
Origin: Old English

72. Watts

Meaning: Son of Walter, meaning “ruler of the army.”
Origin: Old English

73. Mason

Meaning: Occupational surname for a stone mason.
Origin: Old French, English

74. Curtis

Meaning: Derived from the Old French word “curteis,” meaning “courteous” or “polite.”
Origin: Old French, English

75. Arnold

Meaning: Derived from the Old Germanic name “Arnwald,” meaning “eagle ruler.”
Origin: Germanic, English

76. Martin

Meaning: Derived from the Latin name Martinus, meaning “of Mars” (the Roman god of war).
Origin: Latin

77. Nolan

Meaning: Derived from the Gaelic “Ó Nualláin,” meaning “descendant of Nuallán” (a personal name meaning “famous.”
Origin: Irish

78. Wheeler

Meaning: Occupational surname for a maker of wheels.
Origin: Old English

79. West

Meaning: Referring to someone from the west or who lived to the west.
Origin: Old English

80. Sutton

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “sūtan,” meaning “south town.”
Origin: Old English

81. Butler

Meaning: Occupational surname for a butler, a servant in charge of household provisions.
Origin: Old French, English

82. Simmons

Meaning: Son of Simon, meaning “one who hears.”
Origin: Hebrew, English

83. Stewart

Meaning: Occupational surname for a steward, someone who managed the household or estate.
Origin: Old French, Scottish

84. Marshall

Meaning: Occupational surname for a horse servant or caretaker.
Origin: Old French, English

85. Harrison

Meaning: Son of Harry or Henry, meaning “ruler of the household.”
Origin: Old English

86. Payne

Meaning: Derived from the Old French “Pagan,” meaning “pagan” or “heathen.”
Origin: Old French

87. Webb

Meaning: Occupational surname for a weaver.
Origin: Old English

88. Lynch

Meaning: Likely referring to someone from the town of Lynch in Ireland or a person involved in a lynching (a form of extrajudicial punishment).
Origin: Irish, English

89. Doyle

Meaning: Derived from the Gaelic “Ó Dobhail,” meaning “descendant of Dobhail.”
Origin: Irish

90. Cameron

Meaning: Derived from the Gaelic word “cam” meaning “crooked” and “surn” meaning “nose.”
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic

91. Hunt

Meaning: Occupational surname for a hunter or one who pursued game.
Origin: Old English

92. Westwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived in or near a forest in the west.
Origin: Old English

Rare and Unique Victorian Last Names

Rare and Unique Victorian Last Names

93. Ashford

Meaning: Derived from the Old English word “æsc” meaning “ash tree” and “ford” meaning “ford” or “river crossing.”
Origin: Old English

94. Blackwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a dark or dense wood.
Origin: Old English

95. Channing

Meaning: Derived from the Old French “chanoine,” meaning “a canon” (a member of the clergy).
Origin: French, English

96. Drummond

Meaning: Derived from a Scottish place name meaning “ridge” or “hill.”
Origin: Scottish

97. Everly

Meaning: Derived from an Old English place name, meaning “boar meadow” or “wild boar clearing.”
Origin: Old English

98. Farrow

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “faran,” meaning “to travel,” or a variant of the surname “Ferris,” meaning “son of the ironworker.”
Origin: Old English

99. Greystone

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a gray stone or rocky area.
Origin: Old English

100. Hatherleigh

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “heather field” or “clearing of heather.”
Origin: Old English

101. Iverson

Meaning: Derived from the Scandinavian personal name “Ivor,” meaning “archer” or “warrior.”
Origin: Scandinavian, Old Norse

102. Jaffrey

Meaning: Variant of the name Jeffrey, meaning “God’s peace” or “peaceful.”
Origin: Old French, Old Germanic

103. Kettering

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the people of Ketter” or “Ketter’s people.”
Origin: Old English

104. Lockwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a locked or enclosed wood.
Origin: Old English

105. Melrose

Meaning: Derived from a place name in Scotland, meaning “mere forest” or “mill stream.”
Origin: Old English, Scottish

106. Netherwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a wood or forest on the lower or “nether” side.
Origin: Old English

107. Pendleton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hill with a hollow” or “hill with a valley.”
Origin: Old English

108. Quinton

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “cwen,” meaning “queen,” and “tun,” meaning “town” or “settlement.”
Origin: Old English

109. Ravenswood

Meaning: Referring to a dark or ominous wood where ravens are found.
Origin: Old English

110. Selby

Meaning: Derived from an Old Norse personal name and place name, meaning “willow farm.”
Origin: Old Norse, Old English

111. Thorne

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “thorn,” referring to a thorn bush or thicket.
Origin: Old English

112. Underwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.
Origin: Old English

113. Vauxhall

Meaning: Derived from the Old French “Vaux” and “hall,” meaning “valley hall” or “house in the valley.”
Origin: Old French

114. Walsingham

Meaning: Derived from a place name in England, meaning “the home of Wulfsige.”
Origin: Old English

115. Yorke

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “Eorcen,” meaning “york” or “city of the north.”
Origin: Old English

116. Aldridge

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “ald,” meaning “old,” and “ric,” meaning “rich” or “powerful.”
Origin: Old English

117. Baskerville

Meaning: Derived from a place name in Normandy, France, meaning “a wood or grove of the deer.”
Origin: Old French, Norman

118. Bracknell

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “bracken hill” or “hill of ferns.”
Origin: Old English

119. Calthorpe

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “cattle village” or “village of the cattle herds.”
Origin: Old English

120. Dunsmore

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “hill of the fort.”
Origin: Old English

121. Edgerton

Meaning: Derived from the Old English “ecg,” meaning “edge,” and “tun,” meaning “town” or “settlement.”
Origin: Old English

122. Fairleigh

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “fair meadow” or “meadow of beauty.”
Origin: Old English

123. Glenmore

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “large valley” or “big glen.”
Origin: Old Scottish

124. Hawkesworth

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “hawk’s settlement.”
Origin: Old English

125. Islington

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the town or village of Islæ.”
Origin: Old English

126. Kingswell

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “king’s well” or “spring.”
Origin: Old English

127. Loxley

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “a meadow of the swan.”
Origin: Old English

128. Moncrieff

Meaning: Derived from a Scottish surname meaning “from the craggy hill” or “from the rocky hill.”
Origin: Scottish

129. Norwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived in or near a northern wood.
Origin: Old English

130. Pembroke

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the mouth of the brook.”
Origin: Old Welsh, Old English

131. Rothermere

Meaning: Derived from a place name, likely referring to a “mere” (lake or pond) in the region of Rother.
Origin: Old English

132. Stanhope

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “stone hill” or “stony hill.”
Origin: Old English

133. Valiant

Meaning: Derived from the Old French word “valiant,” meaning “brave” or “courageous.”
Origin: Old French

134. Willoughby

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “willow settlement” or “village by the willows.”
Origin: Old English

135. Darnell

Meaning: Derived from an Old French personal name, possibly meaning “little pine tree.”
Origin: Old French, Old English

136. Earlham

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “homestead of the nobleman.”
Origin: Old English

137. Faversham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the village by the wild garlic” or “faver.”
Origin: Old English

138. Grange

Meaning: Referring to a farm or estate, often a monastery farm.
Origin: Old French, Old English

139. Hillingdon

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “hill of the people of Hill” or “hill of the hill dwellers.”
Origin: Old English

140. Isherwood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the wood of Isher,” possibly a reference to a personal name.
Origin: Old English

141. Kirkwall

Meaning: Derived from a place name in the Orkney Islands, meaning “church bay.”
Origin: Old Norse

142. Langston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “long town” or “long settlement.”
Origin: Old English

143. Morecombe

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “mor or marshy town” or “settlement by the lake.”
Origin: Old English

144. Northcliffe

Meaning: Referring to a cliff or slope located in the northern part of a region.
Origin: Old English

145. Ormsby

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the settlement of Orm,” possibly referring to a personal name.
Origin: Old Norse

146. Pemberley

Meaning: A fictional place name, most famously known as the estate in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
Origin: English, Literary

147. Quarles

Meaning: Likely derived from a place name or a personal name, meaning “dweller at the quarries.”
Origin: Old English

148. Ravenshaw

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ravens’ wood” or “wood of the ravens.”
Origin: Old English

149. Standish

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “stone pasture” or “stone enclosure.”
Origin: Old English

150. Tresillian

Meaning: Derived from a place name, likely meaning “three hills” or “three mounts.”
Origin: Old English

151. Verney

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “green meadow” or “green pasture.”
Origin: Old French, Old English

152. Walden

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “valley of the Welsh” or “Waldens’ valley.”
Origin: Old English

153. Yarborough

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “wood or grove of the Yarb” (a personal name).
Origin: Old English

154. Arundel

Meaning: Derived from a place name in England, possibly meaning “stream of the eagles.”
Origin: Old English

155. Barrow

Meaning: Referring to a burial mound or hill.
Origin: Old English

156. Crofton

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “settlement by the croft” (small farm or field).
Origin: Old English

157. Egerton

Meaning: Derived from a place name, possibly meaning “the town of the elder tree.”
Origin: Old English

158. Fenton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “marsh town” or “town of the marsh.”
Origin: Old English

159. Glendenning

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “valley of the waterfall.”
Origin: Scottish

160. Huxley

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “Hugh’s meadow.”
Origin: Old English

161. Inglewood

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “wood or forest of the Angles.”
Origin: Old English

162. Jermyn

Meaning: Likely derived from the Old French “Germain,” meaning “brother” or “related.”
Origin: Old French

163. Kennington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “king’s town” or “settlement of the king.”
Origin: Old English

164. Lancelot

Meaning: Derived from the Old French name Lancelot, meaning “servant of the lance.”
Origin: Old French

165. Mansergh

Meaning: Likely derived from a place name meaning “hill or mountain of the man.”
Origin: Old English

166. Newbold

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “new settlement” or “new farm.”
Origin: Old English

167. Oakley

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “oak tree meadow.”
Origin: Old English

168. Prescott

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “priest’s cottage” or “dwelling of the priest.”
Origin: Old French

169. Rookwood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “wood of the rooks” (a type of bird).
Origin: Old English

170. Saxon

Meaning: Derived from a term used for a member of the Saxon tribe or their language.
Origin: Old English, Germanic

171. Thurlow

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “thorn hill” or “hill of the thorns.”
Origin: Old English

172. Ulster

Meaning: Referring to a province in Ireland, or a person from that region.
Origin: Irish, Gaelic

173. Vane

Meaning: Likely derived from the word “vane,” meaning “a weathercock” or “a wind vane.”
Origin: Old French

174. Waring

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “warning” or “guarding.”
Origin: Old English

175. Withers

Meaning: Likely referring to a person who lived near a hill or ridge.
Origin: Old English

176. Bainbridge

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “bridge over the river Bain.”
Origin: Old English

177. Caldecott

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the cottage by the stream.”
Origin: Old English

178. Dunsford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hill fort on the ford.”
Origin: Old English

179. Emory

Meaning: Derived from an Old French personal name, meaning “brave” or “powerful.”
Origin: Old French, Old Germanic

180. Ferndale

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “valley of ferns.”
Origin: Old English

181. Gravesend

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “gravel shore” or “shore with gravel.”
Origin: Old English

182. Haviland

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “enclosure with hawthorns.”
Origin: Old French

183. Ingalls

Meaning: Likely derived from a personal name meaning “son of Ing,” a Germanic god.
Origin: Old Germanic

184. Jericho

Meaning: Derived from the biblical city name, meaning “city of the moon.”
Origin: Hebrew, Biblical

185. Linwood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “lime tree wood.”
Origin: Old English

186. Mildenhall

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “middle hall” or “central hall.”
Origin: Old English

187. Norwood

Meaning: Referring to someone who lived in or near a northern wood.
Origin: Old English

188. Owston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the town by the ash tree.”
Origin: Old English

189. Pennell

Meaning: Derived from a personal name, possibly meaning “son of Neil” or “son of the champion.”
Origin: Old French, Celtic

190. Ralston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “Ralph’s town” or “Ralph’s settlement.”
Origin: Old English

191. Stratton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “street settlement” or “settlement on the street.”
Origin: Old English

192. Tilbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the stronghold or castle by the tidal river.”
Origin: Old English

193. Uxbridge

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “the town by the Ux or river.”
Origin: Old English

194. Ventnor

Meaning: Derived from a place name, likely meaning “windy river” or “windy inlet.”
Origin: Old French, Old English

195. Waltham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the Welshman’s river.”
Origin: Old English

196. Weston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “western town” or “town in the west.”
Origin: Old English

197. Yardley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “meadow of the herdsman.”
Origin: Old English

198. Zetland

Meaning: Derived from a place name, possibly referring to “land of the settler” or “place of settlement.”
Origin: Old Norse

199. Altham

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “estate on the river.”
Origin: Old English

200. Broughton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town or settlement by the brook.”
Origin: Old English

201. Chesterfield

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “field of the fortress.”
Origin: Old English

202. Dallington

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “settlement of the Dallings” or “family of Dalling.”
Origin: Old English

203. Fenwick

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “marshy place or field.”
Origin: Old English

204. Giffard

Meaning: Derived from a personal name, meaning “the gift of strength.”
Origin: Old French

205. Hoddle

Meaning: Likely derived from a personal name or a place name meaning “the hollow” or “sunken ground.”
Origin: Old English

206. Inskip

Meaning: Likely derived from a place name meaning “the spring in the hollow.”
Origin: Old English

207. Jullian

Meaning: Derived from the Latin name Julianus, meaning “young” or “youthful.”
Origin: Latin

208. Kenworthy

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the settlement of the nobleman” or “noble estate.”
Origin: Old English

209. Lavington

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “town or settlement of Laving.”
Origin: Old English

210. Melling

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “hill by the meadow” or “settlement by the hill.”
Origin: Old English

211. Napier

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name for a “keeper of the table” or “steward.”
Origin: Old French, Medieval Latin

Surnames from The Aristocracy and Nobility

Surnames from The Aristocracy and Nobility

212. Beaumont

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “beautiful mountain.”
Origin: Old French

213. Carleton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the free men” or “settlement of the free men.”
Origin: Old English

214. Darnley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “thorny meadow” or “meadow with thorn bushes.”
Origin: Old English

215. Fitzroy

Meaning: Derived from a Norman term meaning “son of the king.”
Origin: Old French

216. Kingston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “king’s town” or “settlement of the king.”
Origin: Old English

217. Lancaster

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “Roman fort on the Lune.”
Origin: Old English

218. Montague

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “pointed mountain.”
Origin: Old French

219. Stratford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “street ford” or “ford by the Roman road.”
Origin: Old English

220. Wentworth

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “forest settlement.”
Origin: Old English

221. Wyndham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “village of the wine-growing place.”
Origin: Old English

222. Waverley

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “meadow of the quaking or trembling aspens.”
Origin: Old English

223. Somerset

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “summer settlement” or “settlement of the summer people.”
Origin: Old English

224. Windsor

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “windlass fort” or “fortress of the winding river.”
Origin: Old English

225. Arlington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “estate of the eagle’s town.”
Origin: Old English

226. Astley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ash tree meadow.”
Origin: Old English

227. Banbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the bank of the river.”
Origin: Old English

228. Bedford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the ford of the bed.”
Origin: Old English

229. Brudenell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hill of the cattle” or “hill of the oxen.”
Origin: Old French

230. Burghley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town or settlement by a hill or fortress.”
Origin: Old English

231. Cavendish

Meaning: Derived from a place name, possibly meaning “town by the cave or hollow.”
Origin: Old English

232. Chatham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the path” or “settlement by the ford.”
Origin: Old English

233. Cromwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “crooked well.”
Origin: Old English

234. Devereux

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the oak tree.”
Origin: Old French

235. Digby

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the settlement by the dyke.”
Origin: Old Norse

236. Fitzherbert

Meaning: Derived from a Norman personal name meaning “son of Herbert.”
Origin: Old French

237. Harington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town or settlement of the warriors.”
Origin: Old English

238. Harcourt

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “high court” or “stronghold.”
Origin: Old French

239. Hume

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the house or dwelling.”
Origin: Old French, Latin

240. Kingsley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “king’s meadow” or “king’s clearing.”
Origin: Old English

241. Lovell

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “little wolf.”
Origin: Old French

242. Luttrell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “lute maker” or “musician.”
Origin: Old French

243. March

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “boundary or border” or “from the march.”
Origin: Old French

244. Mortimer

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “still water” or “dead sea.”
Origin: Old French

245. Neville

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “new town” or “new village.”
Origin: Old French

246. Pomeroy

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “apple tree” or “orchard.”
Origin: Old French

247. Plantagenet

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “sprig of broom” (a type of shrub).
Origin: Latin

248. Seymour

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “st. Maurice’s hill.”
Origin: Old French

249. Stafford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the ford of the stony ground.”
Origin: Old English

250. Talbot

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “bright town.”
Origin: Old French

251. Templar

Meaning: Derived from the name of the medieval military order, the Knights Templar.
Origin: Old French, Medieval Latin

252. Throckmorton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “village near the thorny stream.”
Origin: Old English

253. Acton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “oak town” or “town by the oak tree.”
Origin: Old English

254. Aston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “east town” or “town of the ash tree.”
Origin: Old English

255. Boleyn

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “belonging to the town of the nobleman.”
Origin: Old French

256. Boteler

Meaning: Derived from an occupation name meaning “butler” or “keeper of the cellar.”
Origin: Old French

257. Bradshaw

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “broad hill.”
Origin: Old English

258. Brooke

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “brook” or “stream.”
Origin: Old English

259. Berkeley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “birch tree meadow.”
Origin: Old English

260. Cartwright

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “wagon maker.”
Origin: Old English

261. Clifford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “cliff ford” or “ford by the cliff.”
Origin: Old English

262. De La Pole

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “of the pool” or “from the pool.”
Origin: Old French

263. Fane

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “fair” or “beautiful.”
Origin: Old French

264. Fitzpatrick

Meaning: Derived from a Norman patronymic, meaning “son of Patrick.”
Origin: Old French

265. Hales

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the hall” or “from the manor.”
Origin: Old English

266. Hotham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “home of the horses.”
Origin: Old Norse, Old English

267. Knyvett

Meaning: Derived from an old Norman name, possibly referring to a “knight” or “nobleman.”
Origin: Old French

268. Lacy

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “from the lace” or “netting.”
Origin: Old French

269. Percy

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “pierced hill” or “from the hill by the water.”
Origin: Old French

270. Russel

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “red-haired” or “little red one.”
Origin: Old French

271. St. John

Meaning: Derived from the name of the patron saint, John the Baptist.
Origin: Old French, Latin

272. Vere

Meaning: Derived from a place name, meaning “spring” or “river.”
Origin: Old French, Latin

273. Wellesley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “well or spring near a meadow.”
Origin: Old English

274. Woodville

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “wooded valley” or “valley by the woods.”
Origin: Old French

275. Courtenay

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “court or enclosure.”
Origin: Old French

276. Howard

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “high guardian” or “chief protector.”
Origin: Old English

277. Fitzsimmons

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic name meaning “son of Simmons.”
Origin: Old French

278. Swynford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “swine ford” or “ford by the pigs.”
Origin: Old English

279. Warham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “homestead by the dam.”
Origin: Old English

280. Warwick

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “settlement by the weir.”
Origin: Old English

281. Harwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the well of the army.”
Origin: Old English

282. Montfort

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “mountain fortress.”
Origin: Old French

283. Ormond

Meaning: Derived from a place name, possibly meaning “mountain of the bear.”
Origin: Old French

284. Salisbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “fortified town of the willow trees.”
Origin: Old English

285. Strathmore

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “great valley.”
Origin: Scottish Gaelic

286. Tavistock

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the Tavy River.”
Origin: Old English

287. Trowbridge

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “bridge over the brook.”
Origin: Old English

288. de Clifford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “cliff ford” or “ford by the cliff.”
Origin: Old French

289. Winthrop

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the friend or protector.”
Origin: Old English

290. Greystoke

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “gray stone.”
Origin: Old English

291. Heywood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “wooded hill.”
Origin: Old English

292. Lumley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the settlement by the hill.”
Origin: Old English

293. Moreton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “settlement by the moor.”
Origin: Old English

294. St. Clair

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “clear, bright.”
Origin: Old French

295. Tewkesbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the Tewkes.”
Origin: Old English

296. Waterton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the water.”
Origin: Old English

297. Slingsby

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the stream.”
Origin: Old Norse

298. St. George

Meaning: Derived from the name of the patron saint, George.
Origin: Greek, Latin

299. Buckingham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “home of Bucca” (a personal name).
Origin: Old English

300. Basset

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “low land” or “low-lying meadow.”
Origin: Old French

301. Curzon

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “from the hill or house of the Curzon family.”
Origin: Old French

302. Holford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the ford by the holly trees.”
Origin: Old English

303. Rothbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the brook.”
Origin: Old English

304. Saunders

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “son of Alexander.”
Origin: Old French

305. Ainsley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “one’s own meadow.”
Origin: Old English

Victorian Last Names in Popular Culture

Victorian Last Names in Popular Culture

306. Blythe

Meaning: Derived from Old English, meaning “free spirit” or “happy.”
Origin: Old English

307. Churchill

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “church hill.”
Origin: Old English

308. Darcy

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “from the fortress.”
Origin: Old French

309. Fitzgerald

Meaning: A Norman patronymic name meaning “son of Gerald.”
Origin: Old French, Irish

310. Hawthorne

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “thorn bush by the hawthorn tree.”
Origin: Old English

311. Larkin

Meaning: Derived from a diminutive of the given name Laurence, meaning “laurel.”
Origin: Old French, Latin

312. Welles

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “spring” or “well.”
Origin: Old English

313. Trevelyan

Meaning: Derived from a Cornish place name meaning “house of the settlement.”
Origin: Cornish

314. Faulkner

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “falconer” or “one who trains falcons.”
Origin: Old French

315. Langford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “long ford.”
Origin: Old English

316. Forsyte

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “from the village of the forest.”
Origin: Old English

317. Fothergill

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “farmstead near the stream.”
Origin: Old English

318. Rivers

Meaning: Derived from a geographical name meaning “from the river.”
Origin: Old French

319. Radcliffe

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “red cliff.”
Origin: Old English

320. Tennyson

Meaning: Derived from a surname meaning “son of Tenny.”
Origin: Old English

321. Browning

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “brown-haired” or “brown.”
Origin: Old English

322. Wilde

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “wild” or “untamed.”
Origin: Old English

323. Bronte

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “thunder” or “storm.”
Origin: Greek

324. Sherwood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “bright forest.”
Origin: Old English

325. Gable

Meaning: Derived from an architectural term referring to a triangular wall section of a building.
Origin: Old French

326. Godwin

Meaning: Derived from an Old English personal name meaning “God’s friend.”
Origin: Old English

327. Shelburne

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the town near the stream.”
Origin: Old English

328. Harrington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the hare.”
Origin: Old English

329. Lambert

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “bright land.”
Origin: Old German

330. Cleaver

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name for a butcher or one who cleaves meat.
Origin: Old English

331. Spencer

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “keeper of the provisions.”
Origin: Old French

332. Thornton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “thorn bush town.”
Origin: Old English

333. Thackeray

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “thick wood.”
Origin: Old English

334. Richardson

Meaning: A patronymic surname meaning “son of Richard.”
Origin: Old English

335. Forsythe

Meaning: A variant of Forsyte, meaning “from the village by the forest.”
Origin: Old English

336. Caldwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “cold stream.”
Origin: Old English

337. Litchfield

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the field of the light or bright one.”
Origin: Old English

338. Kingsbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “king’s town.”
Origin: Old English

339. Worthington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “settlement of the people of Worth.”
Origin: Old English

340. Trent

Meaning: Derived from a river name, possibly from the Latin word “Trentus,” meaning “strong.”
Origin: Latin

341. Sutherland

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “southern land.”
Origin: Old Norse

342. Malory

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “unfortunate” or “unlucky.”
Origin: Old French

343. Brackley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “bracken meadow.”
Origin: Old English

344. Blanchard

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “white” or “fair.”
Origin: Old French

345. Cort

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “short” or “diminutive.”
Origin: Old French

346. Larkspur

Meaning: Derived from a flower name, representing a type of flowering plant.
Origin: Old English

347. Langley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “long meadow.”
Origin: Old English

348. Lord

Meaning: Derived from a title of nobility meaning “ruler” or “master.”
Origin: Old English

349. Halstead

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hall by the stone.”
Origin: Old English

350. Holderness

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the estate of the family of Holder.”
Origin: Old Norse

351. Hamilton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the hamlet.”
Origin: Old English

352. Huntington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the hunter.”
Origin: Old English

353. Gilmore

Meaning: Derived from a Gaelic personal name meaning “servant of St. Moluag.”
Origin: Gaelic

354. Garnett

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “little grain” or “seed.”
Origin: Old French

355. Denison

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic surname meaning “son of Denis.”
Origin: Old French

356. Freeman

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name for a free person, or one who was not a serf.
Origin: Old English

357. Blake

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “dark” or “fair-haired.”
Origin: Old English

358. Camberwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “well by the crooked stream.”
Origin: Old English

359. Cooke

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “cook.”
Origin: Old English

360. Rayleigh

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “roe deer meadow.”
Origin: Old English

361. Durrell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the dweller by the enclosure.”
Origin: Old French

362. Armitage

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “homestead by the oak tree.”
Origin: Old French

363. Chandler

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “candle maker.”
Origin: Old French

364. Darby

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the deer park.”
Origin: Old Norse

365. Fairfax

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “fair-haired.”
Origin: Old French

366. Falconer

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “one who trains falcons.”
Origin: Old French

367. Emery

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “brave, powerful.”
Origin: Old German

368. Giles

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “young goat.”
Origin: Greek

369. Haslett

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hazel wood.”
Origin: Old English

370. Newbury

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “new fortress.”
Origin: Old English

371. Maxwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “Maccus’ stream.”
Origin: Old French

372. Merton

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town by the lake.”
Origin: Old English

373. Silverstone

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “silver stone” or “stone with a silver appearance.”
Origin: Old English

374. Travers

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “one who crosses rivers.”
Origin: Old French

375. Worth

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “enclosure” or “settlement.”
Origin: Old English

376. Lockhart

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “lock of the hart (stag).”
Origin: Old Scottish

377. Blackwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “black stream.”
Origin: Old English

378. Kendall

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “valley of the River Kent.”
Origin: Old English

379. Westbrook

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “west stream.”
Origin: Old English

380. Wells

Meaning: Derived from a geographical name meaning “well” or “spring.”
Origin: Old English

381. Slade

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “valley or small, narrow valley.”
Origin: Old English

382. Walcott

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the cottage near the stream.”
Origin: Old English

383. Renshaw

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “rough, rocky hill.”
Origin: Old English

384. Ottershaw

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hill of the otter.”
Origin: Old English

385. Blakewood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “dark wood.”
Origin: Old English

386. Bernard

Meaning: Derived from a personal name meaning “brave as a bear.”
Origin: Old German

387. Colson

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic surname meaning “son of Col.”
Origin: Old English

388. Landon

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “long hill.”
Origin: Old English

389. Denson

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic surname meaning “son of Den.”
Origin: Old English

390. Everson

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic surname meaning “son of Ever.”
Origin: Old English

391. Penrose

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “headland.”
Origin: Old Cornish

392. Merrick

Meaning: Derived from a Welsh personal name meaning “fame, power.”
Origin: Welsh

393. Ashleigh

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ash tree meadow.”
Origin: Old English

394. Fawcett

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “forked stream.”
Origin: Old French

395. Palgrave

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “holy grave.”
Origin: Old French

396. Farrington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “fern settlement.”
Origin: Old English

397. Gifford

Meaning: Derived from an Old French personal name meaning “spear ruler.”
Origin: Old French

398. Richmond

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “rich hill.”
Origin: Old French

399. Hartwell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “stag’s spring.”
Origin: Old English

400. Stokes

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “a place with a stockade.”
Origin: Old English

401. Abbot

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name meaning “abbot” or “monastic leader.”
Origin: Old English

402. Ashmore

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ash tree marsh.”
Origin: Old English

403. Bagley

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “meadow of the bagel.”
Origin: Old English

404. Barron

Meaning: Derived from a title of nobility meaning “baron.”
Origin: Old French

405. Belgrave

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “beautiful valley.”
Origin: Old French

406. Blakely

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “dark wood.”
Origin: Old English

407. Bryston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “stone of the briar.”
Origin: Old English

408. Carrington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “town of the marsh.”
Origin: Old English

409. Chichester

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “fortress by the chisel.”
Origin: Old English

410. Clarendon

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “cliff by the river.”
Origin: Old English

411. Coates

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “a cottage or hut.”
Origin: Old English

412. Cornwallis

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the corner of the land.”
Origin: Old Cornish

413. Crayford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ford by the crag.”
Origin: Old English

414. Darrow

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “oak tree hill.”
Origin: Old English

415. Denby

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “valley farm.”
Origin: Old English

416. Deverell

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “oak grove.”
Origin: Old French

417. Dillon

Meaning: Derived from an Irish personal name meaning “faithful.”
Origin: Irish

418. Elkington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “farm of the elder tree.”
Origin: Old English

419. Fenshaw

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “dweller by the fen.”
Origin: Old English

420. Fleetwood

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ford by the stream.”
Origin: Old English

421. Grantham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “Granta’s homestead.”
Origin: Old English

422. Greville

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “to be in the peace of the people.”
Origin: Old French

423. Hargrove

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “hill of the goats.”
Origin: Old English

424. Hargrave

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “the grove of the hare.”
Origin: Old English

425. Hartfield

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “stag’s field.”
Origin: Old English

426. Hedges

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name for a hedge maker.
Origin: Old English

427. Heston

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “settlement of the horses.”
Origin: Old English

428. Holt

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “wood” or “grove.”
Origin: Old English

429. Kensington

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “king’s town.”
Origin: Old English

430. Kinross

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “head of the promontory.”
Origin: Scottish

431. Lacey

Meaning: Derived from a surname meaning “from Lassy” (a place name in France).
Origin: Old French

432. Lister

Meaning: Derived from an occupational name for a person who listed or made a catalog.
Origin: Old English

433. Manville

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “manor farm.”
Origin: Old French

434. Oakes

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “oak grove.”
Origin: Old English

435. O’Connell

Meaning: Derived from a patronymic surname meaning “descendant of Connell.”
Origin: Irish

436. Radford

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ford by the red ford.”
Origin: Old English

437. Ravenscroft

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “ravens’ hollow.”
Origin: Old English

438. Selwyn

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “manor spring.”
Origin: Old English

439. Sedgewick

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “sedge farm.”
Origin: Old English

440. Somerville

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “summer farm.”
Origin: Old French

441. Tatham

Meaning: Derived from a place name meaning “village at the southern homestead.”
Origin: Old English

Conclusion

Victorian last names tell interesting stories of families, jobs, and places from the 1800s.

Each name in this list gives us a peek into how people lived during Queen Victoria’s time. I hope this collection of 441 surnames helps you find what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking up your family history or just curious about Victorian names, these surnames show us how rich British naming traditions were.

Want to learn more about your own last name?

Try asking older family members about its history. You might find surprising connections to the Victorian era.

If you found this list helpful, share it with others who love exploring historical names.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson, a Yale University Linguistics graduate, has been a valuable contributor to our blog section since 2018. With over a decade of experience in onomastics, Tessa specializes in uncovering the origins and meanings behind names from various cultures. Her previous work includes collaborating with top websites and consulting for expectant parents. When she's not researching names, Tessa enjoys traveling and learning about different naming traditions worldwide.

http://mothersalwaysright.com

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