100+ White Last Names: Explore Your Ancestry

White last names encompass a broad array of surnames that have been passed down through generations in various regions across Europe and beyond.

These names often reflect a family’s heritage, profession, location, or characteristics, providing a window into the ancestry and history of those who bear them.

1. English Surnames

English last names have a rich history, often derived from occupations, locations, or personal characteristics:

1. Smith – Occupational name for a blacksmith
2. Johnson – Son of John
3. Williams – Son of William
4. Brown – Derived from the color or complexion
5. Jones – Son of John (Welsh origin)
6. Taylor – Occupational name for a tailor
7. Wilson – Son of Will
8. Davis – Son of David
9. Evans – Son of Evan
10. Thomas – A biblical first name

2. Scottish Surnames

Scottish surnames often reflect clans, geographical locations, or ancestral occupations:

1. MacDonald – Son of Donald
2. Campbell – From the Gaelic “cam beul,” meaning crooked mouth
3. Stewart – Occupational name for a steward or manager
4. MacGregor – Son of Gregor
5. Sinclair – From St. Clair in Normandy
6. Murray – From the region of Moray in Scotland
7. Gordon – Derived from a place name
8. MacLeod – Son of Leod
9. Fraser – French origin, possibly meaning strawberry
10. Hamilton – From the town of Hamilton in Scotland

3. Irish Surnames

Irish surnames often have Gaelic roots, with meanings tied to family lineage or personal characteristics:

1. O’Brien – Descendant of Brian Boru, a High King of Ireland
2. Murphy – Derived from “Ó Murchadha,” meaning sea warrior
3. Kelly – Derived from “Ó Ceallaigh,” meaning descendant of Ceallach
4. O’Connor – Descendant of Conchobhar, meaning lover of hounds
5. McCarthy – Son of Carthach
6. Doyle – Derived from “Ó Dubhghaill,” meaning dark stranger
7. O’Sullivan – Descendant of Súilleabháin, meaning little dark eye
8. Walsh – From the Old English “wealh,” meaning foreigner
9. Kennedy – Derived from “Ó Cinnéide,” meaning ugly head
10. Fitzgerald – Son of Gerald, from the Norman “fitz,” meaning son of

4. German Surnames

German surnames often reflect occupations, characteristics, or places of origin:

1. Müller – Occupational name for a miller
2. Schmidt – Occupational name for a smith
3. Schneider – Occupational name for a tailor
4. Weber – Occupational name for a weaver
5. Meyer – Landlord or mayor
6. Wagner – Occupational name for a wagon maker
7. Becker – Occupational name for a baker
8. Hoffmann – Farmer or steward
9. Schulz – Village head or overseer
10. Koch – Occupational name for a cook

5. French Surnames

French surnames often reflect locations, occupations, or personal characteristics:

1. Dubois – From the woods
2. Martin – Derived from the Latin “Martinus,” meaning of Mars
3. Bernard – Derived from “Bernhard,” meaning brave as a bear
4. Durand – Derived from “Durandus,” meaning enduring
5. Lefebvre – Occupational name for a blacksmith
6. Roux – Derived from the Old French “roux,” meaning red-haired
7. Fournier – Occupational name for a baker
8. Girard – Derived from “Gerard,” meaning brave spear
9. Petit – Derived from the Old French “petit,” meaning small
10. Blanc – Derived from the Old French “blanc,” meaning white or fair

6. Italian Surnames

Italian surnames often reflect familial lineage, occupations, or geographical origins:

1. Rossi – Derived from “Rosso,” meaning red, often for red-haired individuals
2. Russo – Southern Italian form of “Rosso”
3. Ferrari – Occupational name for a blacksmith or metalworker
4. Bianchi – Derived from “Bianco,” meaning white or fair
5. Romano – From Rome
6. Ricci – Derived from “Riccio,” meaning curly-haired
7. Marino – Derived from “Marinus,” meaning of the sea
8. Greco – Greek, often referring to a Greek ancestor
9. Conti – Derived from “Conte,” meaning count or nobleman
10. Gallo – Derived from “Gallo,” meaning rooster or cock

7. Spanish Surnames

Spanish surnames often reflect locations, professions, or personal characteristics:

1. García – Possibly derived from “Garza,” meaning young or brave
2. Martínez – Son of Martín
3. López – Son of Lope
4. Rodríguez – Son of Rodrigo
5. Hernández – Son of Hernando
6. González – Son of Gonzalo
7. Pérez – Son of Pedro
8. Sánchez – Son of Sancho
9. Ramírez – Son of Ramiro
10. Torres – Derived from “Torre,” meaning tower

8. Nordic Surnames

Nordic surnames often reflect patronymics, locations, or characteristics:

1. Andersen – Son of Anders (Danish/Norwegian)
2. Johansson – Son of Johan (Swedish)
3. Larsen – Son of Lars (Danish/Norwegian)
4. Olsen – Son of Ole (Danish/Norwegian)
5. Nielsen – Son of Niels (Danish)
6. Eriksson – Son of Erik (Swedish)
7. Hansen – Son of Hans (Danish/Norwegian)
8. Jensen – Son of Jens (Danish)
9. Gustafsson – Son of Gustav (Swedish)
10. Kristoffersen – Son of Kristoffer (Danish/Norwegian)

9. Slavic Surnames

Slavic surnames often reflect occupations, geographical origins, or patronymics:

1. Novak – Newcomer or new
2. Kovač – Occupational name for a blacksmith
3. Popov – Son of a priest
4. Dimitrov – Son of Dimitri
5. Ivanov – Son of Ivan
6. Petrov – Son of Peter
7. Novotný – New, often used for newcomers
8. Kowalski – Occupational name for a blacksmith
9. Sokolov – Derived from “Sokol,” meaning falcon
10. Mikhailov – Son of Mikhail

10. Dutch Surnames

Dutch surnames often reflect occupations, locations, or physical characteristics:

1. De Vries – From Friesland
2. Jansen – Son of Jan
3. Bakker – Occupational name for a baker
4. Visser – Occupational name for a fisherman
5. Smit – Occupational name for a blacksmith
6. Koning – Derived from “Koning,” meaning king
7. Dekker – Occupational name for a roofer
8. Bosch – Derived from “Bos,” meaning forest
9. Schipper – Occupational name for a shipper or skipper
10. Van Dijk – From the dike