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, the medieval times. Up until then, the idea of full names, i.e. your first name plus your family name, didn’t really 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 set the person in question aside from others. Was John a good blacksmith? Or maybe he was unusually short? And even if there was nothing remarkable about him, he could have been the only one with a father called Jack, so people would refer to him as John, Jack’s son.
Later these nicknames began to be passed down from generation to generation, and this is how the modern surnames were born. By the way, “surname”, “last name”, and “family name” all mean the same thing, so 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 came to 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 for English speakers. Have you ever heard any interesting last names that made you wonder what their origin could have been? Share them with us in the comments!
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Assman - Assmann, or Aßmann is a German surname derived from the words "Erasmus", which means "beloved", and "mann", which means "man" in German.
Brain - Brain is an English surname derived from a family who lived in Brain, Normandy. Gloucestershire was the location of the first Brain.
People would be made fun of with this last name. I already hate my last name, and it is a pretty common one.
Bich - Bich is a common Vietnamese surname that translates as "blue-green" or "jade".
I’ve met so many people with strange foreign names I’m immune. Anyhow how is this pronounced. Isn’t it just “Bik”?
Dikshit - Dikshit (also spelled Dixit) is an Indian surname that means "knowledge provider" in Sanskrit.
Peanisbreath - It is a rare surname in the United States and Australia.
Gopnik - The surname Gopnik is of Russian origin. It translates as "drunk hooligan."
Loser - Loser is a Saxon surname derived from the Old English Loesar or Lesar, which is derived from Lazarus.
Daft - The word daft comes from the Middle English word daffle, which means "mild," "gentle," or "meek."
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 🙄
Faartz - Faartz evokes candor, prudence, and decisiveness.
Seisdedos - Seisdedos is a Spanish surname that means “a person with six fingers.”
Longbottom - A Longbottom is a person who lives in a long valley.
Schmuck - The surname Schmuck is of German origin. It translates as "jewelry" or "cleanliness."
Pusey - Pusey is a surname derived from the Old English peose, which means "island," for families who lived in Pusey, Oxfordshire (previously Wiltshire).
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 ....
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.
Horsedick - Horsedick is a surname from England that means "brave horse rider."
Onions - In the 13th century, onions were popular in France and Ireland and were used to identify onion growers or sellers.
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
Shufflebottom - Shufflebottom originated in Lancashire and has several spellings, including Shovellbottom and Shoebottom. It refers to families who own land in a valley.
Medick - Medick is an English name derived from a physician's nickname.
Daniels - Daniels isn't a particularly amusing surname unless your name is Jack. It does, however, mean "God has judged."
Jack Daniels is a nice man. I have no clue if he is I'm just sipping some of it..
Smelly - This surname originated in Scotland for people with a pleasant demeanor.
Cobbledick - Cobbledick is an Anglo-Saxon surname of families from Cobbledi in Lincolnshire.
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."
Silly - It is derived from the Old English saelig, which means "a cheerful and happy person."
Weed - Weed is a nickname for someone who is irritable or irascible, derived from the Old English word wed, which means "fury" or "rage."
Beaver - Beaver is an English surname derived from the Old French beu, which means "fair" or "lovely," and "voir", which means "to see."
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...
Dork - Dork comes from the Germanic Tederich, which means "strong people."
Duck - Duck is a popular English surname and a spelling variation of the German name Duyck.
Pelagatti - Pelagatti is a surname from Italy that means "skins cats."
WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING??? WHY DOES THIS NAME EXIST?WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? I have SO many, mostly angry, questions.
Recker - Recker is a German and Dutch surname that is a variant of Richard or the Dutch surname Rijker.
Titball - This is an American surname that is mostly found in Pennsylvania.
Willy - Willy, Willie, or Willey is an English surname derived from William, which means "desire" and "helmet."
Bellagamba - Bellagamba is a lovely Italian surname. It translates as "beautiful leg."
Broad - Broad is an Anglo-Saxon surname derived from the Old English brode, which means "strong person."
Butts - Butt or Butts is a surname in English derived from the French word but, which means "target."
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).
Clutterbuck - Clutterbuck is an old surname that is mostly found in Gloucestershire. It was first mentioned in the sixteenth century.
Cockburn - Cockburns were people descended from Cockburn, a town in Berwickshire. It was derived from the Old English words cocc (rooster) and burna (stream).
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.
Goff - Goff is a Welsh surname derived from a nickname for someone with red hair. It is widespread in East Anglia.
Kieksyte - Kieksyte is a Dutch surname that translates as "compassionate."
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).
Saap - Saap is a German surname derived from the word sabbe. It could also come from the Middle English sap, which means "spruce tree."
Bottom - Bottom is an Old English surname that means "valley bottom" and refers to someone who lives in a broad valley.
Cornfoot - Cornfoot is an Anglo-Saxon surname from the Cornford area of Durham.
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*"
Cox - Cox is a common surname in both England and Wales. It comes from the word cocke, which means "son of" or "servant of."
Dankworth - Dankworth is an anglicized form of Tancred, which means "farmstead" in German.
Glydenbollocks - This elegant surname means "golden balls."
Gotobed - It could have originated in England, referring to people who had a bed, which was unusual in the 12th century.
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.
Greedy - Greedy comes from the Old Irish surname "MacRiada," which is also known as "Grady" or "Gready." It is a synonym for "horseman."
I'm deeply suspicious of this one. I've met Gradys, O'Gradys, Creedys, McCreedys, but never heard of "Greedy"
Grossweiner - Grossweiner is a common English surname but can be found in the Americas as well.
Hardy - Hardy is a common English and French surname that means “bold.”
Unless you're really dirty minded this sounds normal
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."
Nutter - Nutter comes from the Old English notere, which means "clerk," or nothard, which means "oxen breeder."
Pappalardo - This is an Italian surname that translates as "lard eater."
There’s a great chef named Pappalardo, check out his YouTube channel.
Sharts - Sharts is a surname from Africa that may be derived from the German schertz.
Suparman - Suparman is a very popular Arabic surname in Indonesia.
Supersad - The last name occurs predominantly in The Americas.
oh wait, oh wait, your NAME is Supersad! I thought you said you were SUPER SAD! sorry, my mistake.
Tickle - Tickle is an English surname given to families from the village of Tickhill in South Yorkshire.
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.
Bierhals - Bierhals is a surname from Germany. It translates to "beer throat".
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.
Colon - Colon is a Spanish surname that sounds similar to Columbus in English.
Hickinbottom - Hugg's land in East Cheshire is named after the Hickinbottom family.
Kock - Kock translates to "cook" in several languages, primarily Dutch and German. It comes from the Latin word coquus, which means "art of cooking."
Panda - It is an Indian surname used by priests in Odisha, India.
Pigg - Pigg is an English name derived from the Middle English word pigge, which means "young hog."
Stroker - Pembrokeshire was home to the Stroker family. Their name is derived from the Normandy town of Stock.
"Ahh yes, may I introduce you to my good friend Richard Stroker... (d**k to his friends!) 😂
Bonner - Bonner is a surname in England, Scotland, and Ireland derived from the Middle English nickname "bonere", which means "gentle" or "handsome."
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.
Bracegirdle - This is an Anglo-Saxon surname meaning "maker of breech-girdles," which were belts used to hold up breeches in ancient times.
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."
Large - It is a Middle English and French word that means "generous."
Normous - The Swedish word Normous means "trustworthy" and "loyal."
Player - The term "player" is derived from the Middle English pleyen, which means "to play."
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.
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.
Sackrider - Sackrider is the American spelling of sackreuter, a German nickname for "plunderer."
Saltaformaggio - It is a surname from Italy that means "jump the cheese."
Shytles - It is a corruption of the Dutch occupational name for a bargemaster.
Smalley - Smalley is derived from the Old English words smael, which means "narrow," and leah, which means "wood" or "clearing."
Sporn - Sporn is a surname derived from the Middle High German word sporn, which means "to spur."
Titsworth - Titsworth is an old English surname for people who lived in or around Tetsworth, Oxfordshire.
Wankum - Wankum is a surname from Germany that means "imagination."
No, only the name of a city in Northrhine Westphalia. Imagination would be Fantasie, Vorstellungskraft or something like that.
Bonefat - Bonefat is an unusual spelling of the common French surname Bonenfrant. It denotes a good child.
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.
See also: Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum, who was chided for his surname when he first came out as gay.
Dickinson - Dickinson is an abbreviation for "son of Dickin." It comes from Richard.
Fumagalli - Fumagalli is a surname from Italy that means "to blow smoke at chickens."
Hardick - Hardick is a habitational name for families residing in Hardwick in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
Hardmeat - This surname is derived from the parish of Hardmead in Buckinghamshire.
Hyman - The surname Hyman is derived from the Old English hegham, which means "enclosed dwelling."
Kok - Kok is a Dutch surname that means "cook" in the language.
Looney - Looney is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic lanaigh, which means "descendant of Luanach."
Mahboobeh - Mahboobeh is an Arabic surname that means "beloved."
Mangina - Mangina is a surname from Italy that means "wine maker" or "wine drinker."
Weiner - Weiner is a cartwright's occupational name in Germany. It is a Wagnerian variant.
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."
Cummings - Cummings or Cumming is a Norman surname found in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It translates as "bent" or "crooked."
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).
Morehead - Morehead is an ancient English surname used by Lanark families.
Sexwale - Sexwale is a Limponian surname that is pronounced Sekgwale.
Viejobueno - Viejobueno is a prestigious Spanish surname that translates as "nice old man."
Baal - Baal is derived from the Old French "baud", which means "joyful." It is also a common surname in India and Arabic.
Borgnino - Borgnino has a distinguished voice. It is an Italian surname that translates as "blind in one eye."
Gorey - Gorey is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Gafraidh, which means "son of Gafradh."
Maldonado - Maldonado is a common Spanish surname that translates as "unfavorable."
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.
Wanket - Wanket is a surname from the United States.
Unless this name comes from US Indigenous People, aren't all Americans ancestors of immigrants? How can any surnames originate there?
Bader - Bader is a German surname as well as an occupational name for a public bathhouse attendant or owner.
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?
Wang - Wang is a common surname in China.
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...
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
Have personally known people whose surnames were Hooker, Onions, Broad, Ramsbottom, Large, Moody and Crapper but to name a few!
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... 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
Have personally known people whose surnames were Hooker, Onions, Broad, Ramsbottom, Large, Moody and Crapper but to name a few!
