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Did you know that people didn’t begin using last names at the same time they started using given names?
The first recorded use of last names in Europe happened around the 11th century, during the Middle Ages. Until then, the idea of full names, i.e., your first name and your family name, didn’t exist.
Even back then, when the population was not as vast as it is today, there was a good chance that there were three Johns or Peters in the neighborhood. To distinguish them in a conversation, people would use something that sets the person in question apart from others.
Was John a good blacksmith? Or maybe he was unusually short? And even if nothing was remarkable about him, he could have been the only one with a father called Jack, so people would call him John, Jack’s son.
Later, these nicknames began to be passed down from generation to generation, which is how the modern surnames were born. By the way, “surname”, “last name”, and “family name” all mean the same thing so that you can use any of these words.
As time passed, some occupations changed their names or disappeared altogether, places were renamed or abandoned, and no one remembered that an ancestor from the 12th century had freckles all over his face. This is how most of the funny names you hear today exist. Back in the day, they would have made perfect sense.
For this article, we collected a list of surnames that may sound funny or unusual to English speakers. Have you ever heard any cool last names that made you wonder what their origin could have been? Share them with us in the comments!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Brain - Brain is an English surname derived from a family who lived in Brain, Normandy. Gloucestershire was the location of the first Brain.
Aesthetic club 2 years ago
People would be made fun of with this last name. I already hate my last name, and it is a pretty common one.
Verinder of the Valley 2 years ago
Wait. Is this the family of the guy who was on a previous post, called LORD BRAIN? I think the book was about psychology or neurology, or something.... I really think this is him!
RELATED:
#2
Assman - Assmann, or Aßmann is a German surname derived from the words "Erasmus", which means "beloved", and "mann", which means "man" in German.
Im_ya_girl 2 years ago (edited)
Riddle me pîśs àśśman, if quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
#3
Dikshit - Dikshit (also spelled Dixit) is an Indian surname that means "knowledge provider" in Sanskrit.
#4
Bich - Bich is a common Vietnamese surname that translates as "blue-green" or "jade".
Fantastic Mr Fox 2 years ago
I’ve met so many people with strange foreign names I’m immune. Anyhow how is this pronounced. Isn’t it just “Bik”?
Sally Signup 2 years ago
Saw this one a lot when I used to process paperwork for USCIS. Another common name, given name I believe, is Phuc. Looking it up, it means "happiness" or "blessing."
#5
Peanisbreath - It is a rare surname in the United States and Australia.
Mrs. Sherri C (Sherbear) 2 years ago
My dad worked with a guy named Peter Breath, he got tired of everybody making fun of him so he changed his last name. I'd be extremely mad if my parents named me that!
p6q26x79kx 1 month ago
He got so tired of the jokes that he changed his name to Richard.
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Aesthetic club 2 years ago
I watched a video on YouTube which showed pictures of people's odd, funny, and weird names and this was one of them. I don't think anyone would want this last name.
#6
Gopnik - The surname Gopnik is of Russian origin. It translates as "drunk hooligan."
#7
Loser - Loser is a Saxon surname derived from the Old English Loesar or Lesar, which is derived from Lazarus.
HelluvaHedgehogAlien 2 years ago
That kid out there with a surname of Loser would be laughed at in English speaking countries
#8
Daft - The word daft comes from the Middle English word daffle, which means "mild," "gentle," or "meek."
Fantastic Mr Fox 2 years ago (edited)
Daft Punk. Now in (British) English the word daft means silly or foolish. How it changed meaning so much over centuries I don’t know 🙄
Luce the Deuce 2 years ago
man you have no idea how happy I got when I read the name of my favorite artist! Ty :)
Load More Replies... #9
Faartz - Faartz evokes candor, prudence, and decisiveness.
timothy (he/they) 2 years ago
there was a kid at my school with the unfortunate last name faherty!!
#10
Seisdedos - Seisdedos is a Spanish surname that means “a person with six fingers.”
#11
Longbottom - A Longbottom is a person who lives in a long valley.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
What does Sidebottom mean then? I think there is a football player with that surname.
#12
Schmuck - The surname Schmuck is of German origin. It translates as "jewelry" or "cleanliness."
Fantastic Mr Fox 2 years ago (edited)
Current meaning is from Yiddish shmok, literally, penis.
Remi (He/Him) 2 years ago
Does anyone know how it became a synonym for gullible moron at least in some areas? Someone with the last name being an idiot enough to refine the word?
#13
Pusey - Pusey is a surname derived from the Old English peose, which means "island," for families who lived in Pusey, Oxfordshire (previously Wiltshire).
Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
Also, previously Berkshire, many towns in that area were landed with several different counties over the years, mostly because of politicians trying to garner votes from whatever area wanted their particular party in power - mostly corrupt, definitely dodgy as are all politicians from well before then to the present day regardless of where you are in the World ....
#14
Hardman - Hardman is an Anglo-Saxon name that means “person with a tough character.” It could also mean a person who is stubborn and completes their tasks.
#15
Horsedick - Horsedick is a surname from England that means "brave horse rider."
#16
Onions - In the 13th century, onions were popular in France and Ireland and were used to identify onion growers or sellers.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I mean, I wouldn't mind being named Denny Onion and when people ask "why is your last name onion?" I can say "because we have layers!" Lol
#17
Shufflebottom - Shufflebottom originated in Lancashire and has several spellings, including Shovellbottom and Shoebottom. It refers to families who own land in a valley.
#18
Medick - Medick is an English name derived from a physician's nickname.
#19
Daniels - Daniels isn't a particularly amusing surname unless your name is Jack. It does, however, mean "God has judged."
Thegoodboi 2 years ago
Jack Daniels is a nice man. I have no clue if he is I'm just sipping some of it..
Little letitia 2 years ago
I actually have a friend who'd name is Jack Daniels, his mums name is Jackie! 😅
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
I knew two brothers in high school whose names were Jack and Daniel. I don't know if would have remembered them by now if I didn't associate them with the alcohol :)
Load More Replies... Lydia 2 years ago
Why is that negative? Mostly it is about God judging enemies - the ones not abiding by the rules. . A judge nowadays should do - more or less- the same. Only judges the ones doing wrong... Imagine if you could see it as God doing justice by judging :) I'd love for God to judge my enemies... so did Daniel.
#20
Rollo-Koster - It is a common surname in the Netherlands and Germany.
#21
Smelly - This surname originated in Scotland for people with a pleasant demeanor.
#22
Weed - Weed is a nickname for someone who is irritable or irascible, derived from the Old English word wed, which means "fury" or "rage."
Sally Signup 2 years ago
Wednesdays must have been particularly exciting.
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#23
Beaver - Beaver is an English surname derived from the Old French beu, which means "fair" or "lovely," and "voir", which means "to see."
Annik Perrot 2 years ago
I know of at least three towns or villages in France named Beauvoir, one of them in Normandy. And there's à nice view from them. But I wonder about the animal called beaver...
#24
Cobbledick - Cobbledick is an Anglo-Saxon surname of families from Cobbledi in Lincolnshire.
#25
Hooker - Hooker derives from the Old English hoc, which means "angle" or "hook," and refers to "a person who lived near a river bend or corner of a natural feature."
#26
Silly - It is derived from the Old English saelig, which means "a cheerful and happy person."
#27
Villalobos - Villalobos is a surname from Spain that means "wolf town."
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
That's pretty cool...Denny Villalobos. I could roll with that. Lol
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
And if you want to know how it's pronounced, it's "vee-ah-LOH-bohs".
Load More Replies... #29
Dork - Dork comes from the Germanic Tederich, which means "strong people."
#30
Duck - Duck is a popular English surname and a spelling variation of the German name Duyck.
#31
Fokker - It translates to "breeder" in Dutch.
#32
Pelagatti - Pelagatti is a surname from Italy that means "skins cats."
Verinder of the Valley 2 years ago
WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING??? WHY DOES THIS NAME EXIST?WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? I have SO many, mostly angry, questions.
Crybabyartist 2 years ago
Lots of things used "gut" strings, Lots of instruments. Tennis rackets. Oh by the way catgut, is usually sheep or cow intestines... lots of other animals helped too.
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#33
Recker - Recker is a German and Dutch surname that is a variant of Richard or the Dutch surname Rijker.
#35
Titball - This is an American surname that is mostly found in Pennsylvania.
Saint Tim the Godless 2 years ago
Born and raised. Never met any Amish or dutch-descent with this name.
Load More Replies... #36
Willy - Willy, Willie, or Willey is an English surname derived from William, which means "desire" and "helmet."
#37
Bellagamba - Bellagamba is a lovely Italian surname. It translates as "beautiful leg."
#38
Broad - Broad is an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the Old English brode, which means "strong person."
#39
Butts - Butt or Butts is a surname in English derived from the French word but, which means "target."
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
The iconic Texas-based supermarket/grocery store chain H-E-B, with stores solely in certain parts of Texas and northern Mexico, got its name from the initials of the founder of the company, Howard E. Butt. It was his mother who opened the very first location of what would become H-E-B, but Howard expanded operations into multiple stores and made those stores unto what Texans now know and love. His descendent Charles Butt is the present CEO. I've recently moved out of Texas and miss H-E-B greatly (as well as another Texas-only chain, Bush's Chicken).
Aesthetic club 2 years ago
There is a grocery store chain in my state named after someone with the last name Butt
#40
Clutterbuck - Clutterbuck is an old surname that is mostly found in Gloucestershire. It was first mentioned in the sixteenth century.
MEGAN KEYS 2 years ago
Fun fact: Andrew Lincoln's actual surname is Clutterbuck. Lincoln is his stage name.
JB 2 years ago
It sounds like a dead evil grandmother -type name! Especially if paired with a name like Eugenia or Constance.
Load More Replies... #41
Cockburn - Cockburns were people descended from Cockburn, a town in Berwickshire. It was derived from the Old English words cocc (rooster) and burna (stream).
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
My favorite famous person with this surname is Canadian music legend Bruce Cockburn, of "Lovers In a Dangerous Time" fame.
Vic 2 years ago (edited)
Lovers will be in dangerous times if a Cockburn is involved..😁😁
Load More Replies... DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
We had a teacher with this name and his first lesson was how to pronounce his name....incase anyone had any hilarious ideas.
#42
Cockett - Cockett is an occupational name for a baker derived from Middle English. It could also be derived from the Anglo-French cockette seal, which included the King's Custom House seal.
#43
Glydenbollocks - This elegant surname means "golden balls."
#44
Goff - Goff is a Welsh surname derived from a nickname for someone with red hair. It is widespread in East Anglia.
#45
Kieksyte - Kieksyte is a Dutch surname that translates as "compassionate."
#46
Ramsbottom - Ramsbottom is the surname of families from the Lancashire town of Ramsbottom. It is derived from the Old English words ramm (wild garlic) and bothm (valley bottom).
#47
Saap - Saap is a German surname derived from the word sabbe. It could also come from the Middle English sap, which means "spruce tree."
#48
Suparman - Suparman is a very popular Arabic surname in Indonesia.
#49
Bottom - Bottom is an Old English surname that means "valley bottom" and refers to someone who lives in a broad valley.
#50
Cornfoot - Cornfoot is an Anglo-Saxon surname from the Cornford area of Durham.
OneHappyPuppy 2 years ago
Had 2 teachers in elementary school (married couple) Mr. and Mrs. Cornfoot and I was certain they were from Cornwall... No idea how my little mind came up with that, but I was preeetty embarrassed when I said that out loud and the teachers said "no, were from *insert other town, can't remember which*"
#51
Cox - Cox is a common surname in both England and Wales. It comes from the word cocke, which means "son of" or "servant of."
#52
Dankworth - Dankworth is an anglicized form of Tancred, which means "farmstead" in German.
#54
Gotobed - It could have originated in England, referring to people who had a bed, which was unusual in the 12th century.
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
There's an English post-punk band called Wire and one of the members of the band is called Robert Gotobed, but I can't remember if that's his actual surname.
#55
Greedy - Greedy comes from the Old Irish surname "MacRiada," which is also known as "Grady" or "Gready." It is a synonym for "horseman."
Con O Cuinn 2 years ago (edited)
I'm deeply suspicious of this one. I've met Gradys, O'Gradys, Creedys, McCreedys, but never heard of "Greedy"
#56
Grossweiner - Grossweiner is a common English surname but can be found in the Americas as well.
Alexandra Lehnert 2 years ago
No, a Weiner is someone crying. So more like a big crying guy. The sausages are called wIEner.
Load More Replies... #57
Hardy - Hardy is a common English and French surname that means “bold.”
The peas rolled off the counter 2 years ago
Unless you're really dirty minded this sounds normal
#59
Licker - Licker is a surname from North Germany and a nickname for a foodie. It comes from the Middle Low German word licken, which means "to lick."
Saint Tim the Godless 2 years ago (edited)
Married? Need to hypenate? Richard Kuntz-Licker. Did we all think it, or was it just me?
#60
Nutter - Nutter comes from the Old English notere, which means "clerk," or nothard, which means "oxen breeder."
#61
Pappalardo - This is an Italian surname that translates as "lard eater."
Ines Olabarria-Smith 2 years ago
There’s a great chef named Pappalardo, check out his YouTube channel.
#62
Sharts - Sharts is a surname from Africa that may be derived from the German schertz.
#63
Supersad - The last name occurs predominantly in The Americas.
Verinder of the Valley 2 years ago
oh wait, oh wait, your NAME is Supersad! I thought you said you were SUPER SAD! sorry, my mistake.
#64
Tickle - Tickle is an English surname given to families from the village of Tickhill in South Yorkshire.
#65
Ball - The word ball or balls comes from the Middle English word "balle", which can mean someone who lives on or near a rounded hill.
The peas rolled off the counter 2 years ago
I have a friend with that last name it seems normal unless you're really that weird and unfunny
#66
Bierhals - Bierhals is a surname from Germany. It translates to "beer throat".
#67
Bodycomb - Bodycomb is an English surname derived from the counties of Bodiam in West Sussex, Bodenham in Herefordshire, and Bodham in Norfolk. Variations of this surname include Boddam, Bodiam, Bodicam, Bodicum, and Bodycombe.
#69
Colon - Colon is a Spanish surname that sounds similar to Columbus in English.
JB 2 years ago
Which also explains why people see him as a bit of a b******e these days
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#70
Hickinbottom - Hugg's land in East Cheshire is named after the Hickinbottom family.
#71
Kock - Kock translates to "cook" in several languages, primarily Dutch and German. It comes from the Latin word coquus, which means "art of cooking."
Guinevere89 2 years ago
I had a bf with the last name de kock... he lives up to being a d**k for sure.
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#73
Panda - It is an Indian surname used by priests in Odisha, India.
#75
Pigg - Pigg is an English name derived from the Middle English word pigge, which means "young hog."
#76
Stroker - Pembrokeshire was home to the Stroker family. Their name is derived from the Normandy town of Stock.
Little letitia 2 years ago
"Ahh yes, may I introduce you to my good friend Richard Stroker... (d**k to his friends!) 😂
#77
Bonner - Bonner is a surname in England, Scotland, and Ireland derived from the Middle English nickname "bonere", which means "gentle" or "handsome."
RoanTheMad 2 years ago (edited)
I know someone with this surname, it isn't pronounced like the apparently oh so funny word "boner" its pronounced "bon" with a short o sound. Sometime's you'll hear the word "bonny" especially in the north of the UK (north england and scotland) to mean someone is pretty, so the meaning is likely right though.
Firkin Dirkin 2 years ago
A man can have a "bonny" leg in scots, meaning he has good calves for a kilt!
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#78
Bracegirdle - This is an Anglo-Saxon surname meaning "maker of breech-girdles," which were belts used to hold up breeches in ancient times.
#79
Fanny - Fanny is a name from the Anglo-Saxon language that refers to a family who lives near a marsh or swamp. It derives from the Old English word fenn, which means "fen" or "wetlands."
#80
Large - It is a Middle English and French word that means "generous."
#81
Normous - The Swedish word Normous means "trustworthy" and "loyal."
#82
Player - The term "player" is derived from the Middle English pleyen, which means "to play."
#83
Pound - Pound is a common English surname derived from the Middle English pund (later pound), which means an animal enclosure. Variations include Pounds, Pounder, Pund, Pond, and Ponds.
#84
Register - The word register comes from the Middle English and Old French register, which both mean "register." It could be a metonymic occupational name for a scribe.
#86
Sackrider - Sackrider is the American spelling of sackreuter, a German nickname for "plunderer."
#87
Saltaformaggio - It is a surname from Italy that means "jump the cheese."
#88
Shytles - It is a corruption of the Dutch occupational name for a bargemaster.
#89
Smalley - Smalley is derived from the Old English words smael, which means "narrow," and leah, which means "wood" or "clearing."
#90
Sporn - Sporn is a surname derived from the Middle High German word sporn, which means "to spur."
#91
Squatpump - Squatpump is a surname from the United States.
#93
Titsworth - Titsworth is an old English surname for people who lived in or around Tetsworth, Oxfordshire.
#94
Twocock - Twocock is a common surname in England.
#95
Wankum - Wankum is a surname from Germany that means "imagination."
Alexandra Lehnert 2 years ago
No, only the name of a city in Northrhine Westphalia. Imagination would be Fantasie, Vorstellungskraft or something like that.
#96
Woolfson - Woolfson is a wolf's son.
#98
Bonefat - Bonefat is an unusual spelling of the common French surname Bonenfrant. It denotes a good child.
#99
Bottum - Bottum is one of Britain's oldest Anglo-Saxon names. It is the name of a group of families who lived in a broad valley or on a hillside near Bootham, Yorkshire.
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
See also: Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum, who was chided for his surname when he first came out as gay.
#100
Dickinson - Dickinson is an abbreviation for "son of Dickin." It comes from Richard.
#101
Fumagalli - Fumagalli is a surname from Italy that means "to blow smoke at chickens."
#102
Hardick - Hardick is a habitational name for families residing in Hardwick in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
#103
Hardmeat - This surname is derived from the parish of Hardmead in Buckinghamshire.
#104
Hyman - The surname Hyman is derived from the Old English hegham, which means "enclosed dwelling."
#105
Kok - Kok is a Dutch surname that means "cook" in the language.
Victor Botha 2 years ago
Not in South Africa. It is pronounced exactly as spelled and is a pretty common surname. Also De Kok, De Kock etc.
Load More Replies... #106
Looney - Looney is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic lanaigh, which means "descendant of Luanach."
#107
Mahboobeh - Mahboobeh is an Arabic surname that means "beloved."
#108
Mangina - Mangina is a surname from Italy that means "wine maker" or "wine drinker."
#110
Weiner - Weiner is a cartwright's occupational name in Germany. It is a Wagnerian variant.
#112
Broadhurst - It was the surname of the families who lived in Broadhurst, Sussex. It is derived from the Old English words brad, which means "broad," and hyrst, which means "wooded hill."
#113
Cummings - Cummings or Cumming is a Norman surname found in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It translates as "bent" or "crooked."
#114
Luckinbill - The names Luckinbill and Luckenbill is derived from the German words Luginbuhl, which means "to watch" or "to lie in wait" (luogen) and "hillock" (buhel).
#115
Morehead - Morehead is an ancient English surname used by Lanark families.
#117
Sexwale - Sexwale is a Limponian surname that is pronounced Sekgwale.
IamMe 2 years ago
I tried, too. All I came up with was an urban dictionary entry for limp-on. Which made it so much worse.
Load More Replies... Victor Botha 2 years ago (edited)
Just say it OP. It's a South African name common to indigenous peoples of the Limpopo province. It is pretty widely spread so not just Limpopo. Can be found in virtually all the provinces of South Africa.
#118
Viejobueno - Viejobueno is a prestigious Spanish surname that translates as "nice old man."
#120
Baal - Baal is derived from the Old French "baud", which means "joyful." It is also a common surname in India and Arabic.
#121
Borgnino - Borgnino has a distinguished voice. It is an Italian surname that translates as "blind in one eye."
#122
Gorey - Gorey is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Gafraidh, which means "son of Gafradh."
#123
Maldonado - Maldonado is a common Spanish surname that translates as "unfavorable."
Diane Aguilar 2 years ago
Oh geez, I've known numerous Maldonados throughout my life and now I'm never going to think of them in the same way again.
#128
Wanket - Wanket is a surname from the United States.
Serenity Now! 2 years ago
Unless this name comes from US Indigenous People, aren't all Americans ancestors of immigrants? How can any surnames originate there?
#129
Bader - Bader is a German surname as well as an occupational name for a public bathhouse attendant or owner.
Alexandra Lehnert 2 years ago
No, a Bader was in the middle ages something like a surgeon. Although more like a quack. Also they cut your hair and shaved your beard. But nothing with a public bathhouse attendant or owner. Where do people get this stupid and wrongful facts?
#130
Wang - Wang is a common surname in China.
What do you think ?
Con O Cuinn 2 years ago
Every so called Irish name and definition just seemed off. I'm no expert, but apparently neither is the person writing these
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QuackerCracker 2 years ago
My best friend in middle school's last name was Hertz. I remember her saying that once she got a rental car from Enterprise, and her mom was like "Reservation for Hertz" and the dude was slowly pointing at the sign LOL
Siobhan Gournay 2 years ago
Have personally known people whose surnames were Hooker, Onions, Broad, Ramsbottom, Large, Moody and Crapper but to name a few!
Con O Cuinn 2 years ago
Every so called Irish name and definition just seemed off. I'm no expert, but apparently neither is the person writing these
Load More Replies... QuackerCracker 2 years ago
My best friend in middle school's last name was Hertz. I remember her saying that once she got a rental car from Enterprise, and her mom was like "Reservation for Hertz" and the dude was slowly pointing at the sign LOL
Siobhan Gournay 2 years ago
Have personally known people whose surnames were Hooker, Onions, Broad, Ramsbottom, Large, Moody and Crapper but to name a few!
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