The Old West time was from about 1850 to 1900. During these years, people worldwide came to the American frontier looking for a new life.
Many last names from this time tell interesting stories about the families who lived then.
Some names came from jobs people did, like Smith (blacksmith) or Cooper (barrel maker). Others came from the countries people left behind, like O’Brien from Ireland or Schmidt from Germany.
In the Old West, you might have met people with tough-sounding names like Savage, Gunn, or Flint. Or maybe you’d run into someone with a name that showed where their family came from, like Hill, Rivers, or Woods.
These old names help us learn about the mix of people who helped build the American West long ago.
A Compilation of Famous Old West Last Names
1. Abbott
Meaning: Father’s servant
Origin: English
2. Abernathy
Meaning: Mouth of the stream
Origin: Scottish
3. Abner
Meaning: Father of light
Origin: Hebrew
4. Adair
Meaning: Oak tree
Origin: Scottish
5. Adams
Meaning: Son of Adam
Origin: English
6. Adkins
Meaning: Son of Adam
Origin: English
7. Aiken
Meaning: Little Adam
Origin: Scottish
8. Akers
Meaning: Meadow
Origin: English
9. Albright
Meaning: Bright noble
Origin: German
10. Alexander
Meaning: Defender of the people
Origin: Greek
11. Allen
Meaning: Handsome
Origin: Celtic
12. Allison
Meaning: Son of Alice
Origin: Scottish
13. Alston
Meaning: From the town
Origin: Old English
14. Ames
Meaning: Friend
Origin: French
15. Anderson
Meaning: Son of Andrew
Origin: Scottish
16. Andrews
Meaning: Son of Andrew
Origin: English
17. Archer
Meaning: Bowman
Origin: English
18. Armstrong
Meaning: Strong arm
Origin: Scottish
19. Arnold
Meaning: Eagle ruler
Origin: German
20. Ashby
Meaning: Ash tree village
Origin: English
21. Ashton
Meaning: Ash town
Origin: English
22. Atchison
Meaning: Son of Atticus
Origin: Scottish
23. Atkinson
Meaning: Son of Atkin
Origin: English
24. Austin
Meaning: Majestic
Origin: Latin
25. Avery
Meaning: Ruler of elves
Origin: English
26. Babcock
Meaning: Family name
Origin: English
27. Baird
Meaning: Poet
Origin: Scottish
28. Baker
Meaning: Maker of bread
Origin: English
29. Baldwin
Meaning: Bold friend
Origin: German
30. Ballard
Meaning: Bold ruler
Origin: English
31. Banks
Meaning: Riverbank
Origin: English
32. Banner
Meaning: Banner or flag bearer
Origin: English
33. Barber
Meaning: Hair cutter
Origin: English
34. Barclay
Meaning: From the barley meadow
Origin: Scottish
35. Barnes
Meaning: Sons of Barnabas
Origin: English
36. Barnett
Meaning: Little bear
Origin: English
37. Barrett
Meaning: Bear strength
Origin: German
38. Barringer
Meaning: Minor official
Origin: English
39. Bass
Meaning: A type of fish
Origin: French
40. Baxter
Meaning: Baker
Origin: Scottish
41. Beckett
Meaning: Beekeeper
Origin: English
42. Bell
Meaning: Bell maker
Origin: English
43. Bennett
Meaning: Blessed
Origin: Latin
44. Benson
Meaning: Son of Ben
Origin: English
45. Bentley
Meaning: From the bent grass meadow
Origin: English
46. Benton
Meaning: Town by the hill
Origin: English
47. Berry
Meaning: From the berry bush
Origin: English
48. Billings
Meaning: Son of Bill
Origin: English
49. Bishop
Meaning: Church leader
Origin: English
50. Black
Meaning: Dark-haired
Origin: English
51. Blackwell
Meaning: Black stream
Origin: English
52. Blanchard
Meaning: White or fair
Origin: French
53. Boone
Meaning: Good or fine
Origin: French
54. Borden
Meaning: Son of the border
Origin: English
55. Boswell
Meaning: From the house of the king
Origin: Scottish
56. Bowman
Meaning: Archer
Origin: English
57. Boyd
Meaning: Blond or fair-haired
Origin: Scottish
58. Bradford
Meaning: Broad ford
Origin: English
59. Bradley
Meaning: Broad meadow
Origin: English
60. Brady
Meaning: Spirited
Origin: Irish
61. Branson
Meaning: Son of the raven
Origin: English
62. Brewer
Meaning: Maker of beer
Origin: English
63. Bridges
Meaning: Maker of bridges
Origin: English
64. Bright
Meaning: Bright or intelligent
Origin: English
65. Brock
Meaning: Badger
Origin: English
66. Brooks
Meaning: From the brook
Origin: English
67. Browning
Meaning: Brown-haired
Origin: English
68. Bryant
Meaning: Strong, noble
Origin: Welsh
69. Buchanan
Meaning: House of the canon
Origin: Scottish
70. Buckley
Meaning: By the buck’s meadow
Origin: English
71. Buford
Meaning: Beaver ford
Origin: English
72. Bullock
Meaning: Little bull
Origin: English
73. Burch
Meaning: Birch tree
Origin: English
74. Burgess
Meaning: Town official
Origin: English
75. Burke
Meaning: From the fort
Origin: Irish
76. Burnett
Meaning: Little stream
Origin: French
77. Burris
Meaning: Son of Bur
Origin: English
78. Burton
Meaning: Fort town
Origin: English
79. Butler
Meaning: Wine steward
Origin: English
80. Byrd
Meaning: Bird
Origin: English
81. Caldwell
Meaning: Cold stream
Origin: English
82. Callahan
Meaning: Little bright-headed
Origin: Irish
83. Calvert
Meaning: Cowherd
Origin: Old English
84. Cameron
Meaning: Crooked nose
Origin: Scottish
85. Campbell
Meaning: Crooked mouth
Origin: Scottish
86. Cantrell
Meaning: Town near a fountain
Origin: French
87. Carleton
Meaning: From the town of Carl
Origin: Old English
88. Carlisle
Meaning: From the walled city
Origin: English
89. Carmichael
Meaning: Little servant of Michael
Origin: Scottish
90. Carpenter
Meaning: Woodworker
Origin: English
91. Carrington
Meaning: From the town of Carrington
Origin: English
92. Carson
Meaning: Son of the marsh-dwellers
Origin: Scottish
93. Carter
Meaning: Cart driver
Origin: English
94. Cartwright
Meaning: Cart maker
Origin: English
95. Casey
Meaning: Brave
Origin: Irish
96. Cash
Meaning: Son of the wealthy
Origin: English
97. Cassidy
Meaning: Clever
Origin: Irish
98. Cates
Meaning: Battle strong
Origin: English
99. Chadwick
Meaning: From the meadow of the warrior
Origin: English
100. Chambers
Meaning: Rooms or chambers
Origin: Old French
101. Chandler
Meaning: Candle maker
Origin: English
102. Chapman
Meaning: Merchant
Origin: English
103. Chastain
Meaning: Stone or rock
Origin: French
104. Chester
Meaning: Fortress
Origin: Latin
105. Childress
Meaning: Child’s heir
Origin: English
106. Chisholm
Meaning: From the meadow of the wild flowers
Origin: Scottish
107. Christian
Meaning: Follower of Christ
Origin: Latin
108. Clanton
Meaning: From the town on the hill
Origin: English
109. Clay
Meaning: Clay worker
Origin: English
110. Clayton
Meaning: Town of clay
Origin: Old English
111. Clements
Meaning: Merciful
Origin: Latin
112. Clemons
Meaning: Gentle
Origin: Latin
113. Cleveland
Meaning: From the cliffs
Origin: English
114. Clifton
Meaning: From the cliff town
Origin: English
115. Clinton
Meaning: From the town on the hill
Origin: Old English
116. Clive
Meaning: Cliff or slope
Origin: English
117. Clyburn
Meaning: From the town near the river
Origin: Scottish
118. Cobb
Meaning: A lump or head
Origin: English
119. Cochran
Meaning: From the hollow
Origin: Scottish
120. Cody
Meaning: Helpful
Origin: Irish
121. Coffey
Meaning: Descendant of Cobhthach
Origin: Irish
122. Colbert
Meaning: From the farm
Origin: French
123. Coleman
Meaning: Charcoal burner
Origin: English
124. Collier
Meaning: Coal miner
Origin: English
125. Collins
Meaning: Son of Colla
Origin: Irish
126. Combs
Meaning: Dweller in a hollow
Origin: English
127. Conley
Meaning: Warrior or hero
Origin: Irish
128. Connors
Meaning: Son of Connor
Origin: Irish
129. Conway
Meaning: From the holy river
Origin: Welsh
130. Cooke
Meaning: Cook
Origin: English
131. Cooley
Meaning: From the narrows
Origin: Irish
132. Cooper
Meaning: Barrel maker
Origin: English
133. Copeland
Meaning: From the village of Copp
Origin: English
134. Corbin
Meaning: Little raven
Origin: Old French
135. Corey
Meaning: From the hollow
Origin: Irish
136. Cornett
Meaning: Horn player
Origin: English
137. Cotton
Meaning: From the cotton town
Origin: English
138. Coulter
Meaning: From the town of Coulter
Origin: Scottish
139. Cowan
Meaning: From the hollow
Origin: Scottish
140. Craig
Meaning: Rocky hill
Origin: Scottish
141. Crane
Meaning: Crane bird
Origin: English
142. Crawford
Meaning: Ford of the crows
Origin: Scottish
143. Creighton
Meaning: From the village
Origin: Scottish
144. Crenshaw
Meaning: From the place of the cross
Origin: English
145. Crockett
Meaning: A small piece of land
Origin: Scottish
146. Cromwell
Meaning: From the winding stream
Origin: English
147. Cross
Meaning: Cross
Origin: English
148. Crowley
Meaning: From the well of the cross
Origin: Irish
149. Cummings
Meaning: Descendant of Cummain
Origin: Irish
150. Cunningham
Meaning: From the village of Cunningham
Origin: Scottish
151. Darnell
Meaning: From the hidden nook
Origin: English
152. Davenport
Meaning: From the village of David
Origin: English
153. Davidson
Meaning: Son of David
Origin: English
154. Davis
Meaning: Son of David
Origin: English
155. Dawson
Meaning: Son of David
Origin: English
156. Day
Meaning: Daytime
Origin: English
157. Dean
Meaning: Valley
Origin: Old English
158. Delaney
Meaning: Dark challenger
Origin: Irish
159. Denton
Meaning: From the town in the valley
Origin: Old English
160. Devlin
Meaning: Descendant of Dobhail
Origin: Irish
161. Dickens
Meaning: Son of Dick
Origin: English
162. Dickerson
Meaning: Son of Dick
Origin: English
163. Dickinson
Meaning: Son of Dick
Origin: English
164. Diggs
Meaning: Digger
Origin: English
165. Dillard
Meaning: From the farm
Origin: Old French
166. Dillon
Meaning: Like a lion
Origin: Irish
167. Dobson
Meaning: Son of Dob
Origin: English
168. Dodson
Meaning: Son of Dod
Origin: English
169. Dorsey
Meaning: From the fortress
Origin: Irish
170. Dotson
Meaning: Son of Dott
Origin: English
171. Douglas
Meaning: Dark stream
Origin: Scottish
172. Doyle
Meaning: Descendant of the dark one
Origin: Irish
173. Drake
Meaning: Dragon
Origin: Old English
174. Draper
Meaning: Cloth merchant
Origin: Old French
175. Driscoll
Meaning: Descendant of the brave
Origin: Irish
176. Dudley
Meaning: From the open meadow
Origin: English
177. Duke
Meaning: Leader
Origin: Old English
178. Dunbar
Meaning: From the fortress on the hill
Origin: Scottish
179. Duncan
Meaning: Dark warrior
Origin: Scottish
180. Dunlap
Meaning: From the hillside
Origin: Scottish
181. Dupree
Meaning: Of the meadow
Origin: French
182. Durham
Meaning: From the hill of the house
Origin: English
183. Duvall
Meaning: From the valley
Origin: French
184. Dyer
Meaning: Dye maker
Origin: Old English
185. Earp
Meaning: From the river bank
Origin: English
186. Easton
Meaning: From the east town
Origin: Old English
187. Eaton
Meaning: From the town by the water
Origin: Old English
188. Edmonds
Meaning: Son of Edmund
Origin: English
189. Edwards
Meaning: Son of Edward
Origin: English
190. Ellison
Meaning: Son of Ellis
Origin: English
191. Emerson
Meaning: Son of Emery
Origin: Old French
192. Emory
Meaning: Brave, powerful
Origin: Old French
193. Engle
Meaning: Angel
Origin: German
194. Estes
Meaning: From the east
Origin: Old French
195. Everett
Meaning: Brave
Origin: Old English
196. Ewing
Meaning: From the yew tree
Origin: Scottish
197. Fairbanks
Meaning: Fair meadow
Origin: English
198. Farrington
Meaning: From the town of the iron
Origin: English
199. Faulkner
Meaning: Falconer
Origin: Old French
200. Finley
Meaning: Fair hero
Origin: Scottish
201. Fletcher
Meaning: Arrow maker
Origin: English
202. Flinn
Meaning: Ruddy or fair
Origin: Irish
203. Floyd
Meaning: Gray-haired
Origin: Welsh
204. Forsythe
Meaning: Man of peace
Origin: Scottish
205. Fowler
Meaning: Bird catcher
Origin: English
206. Fox
Meaning: Clever or cunning
Origin: English
207. Franklin
Meaning: Free landowner
Origin: English
208. Frazier
Meaning: Strawberry farmer
Origin: Scottish
209. Freeman
Meaning: Free man
Origin: English
210. Frost
Meaning: Cold or frost
Origin: English
211. Gaines
Meaning: Clever or crafty
Origin: English
212. Garland
Meaning: Crown of flowers
Origin: English
213. Garrett
Meaning: Brave spearman
Origin: German
214. Garrison
Meaning: Stronghold
Origin: English
215. Gentry
Meaning: Noble or well-born
Origin: English
216. Gibson
Meaning: Son of Gilbert
Origin: English
217. Gilliam
Meaning: Youthful
Origin: French
218. Glover
Meaning: Glove maker
Origin: English
219. Goodwin
Meaning: Good friend
Origin: English
220. Gorman
Meaning: Spearman
Origin: Irish
221. Grady
Meaning: Noble
Origin: Irish
222. Granger
Meaning: Farmer
Origin: English
223. Graves
Meaning: Steward or keeper
Origin: English
224. Greer
Meaning: Watchful
Origin: Scottish
225. Grimes
Meaning: Fierce
Origin: English
226. Gunter
Meaning: Battle warrior
Origin: German
227. Guthrie
Meaning: Windy place
Origin: Scottish
228. Hackett
Meaning: Little hacker
Origin: English
229. Hagan
Meaning: Young warrior
Origin: Irish
230. Haines
Meaning: From the enclosure
Origin: English
231. Hale
Meaning: Heroic
Origin: English
232. Hall
Meaning: From the manor
Origin: English
233. Hamilton
Meaning: Beautiful mountain
Origin: Scottish
234. Hammond
Meaning: Home protector
Origin: English
235. Hampton
Meaning: From the homestead
Origin: English
236. Hancock
Meaning: Little John
Origin: English
237. Haney
Meaning: Ancient one
Origin: Irish
238. Hanks
Meaning: Home ruler
Origin: English
239. Hardin
Meaning: Brave
Origin: English
240. Harmon
Meaning: Soldier
Origin: German
241. Harrell
Meaning: Army ruler
Origin: English
242. Harrington
Meaning: From the hares’ town
Origin: English
243. Harris
Meaning: Son of Harry
Origin: English
244. Harrison
Meaning: Son of Harry
Origin: English
245. Haskell
Meaning: God’s helmet
Origin: Old Norse
246. Hatfield
Meaning: Heath field
Origin: English
247. Henson
Meaning: Son of Henry
Origin: English
248. Herring
Meaning: Fish seller
Origin: English
249. Hickman
Meaning: Son of Richard
Origin: English
250. Higgins
Meaning: Fire
Origin: Irish
251. Hines
Meaning: Descendant of Eneas
Origin: Irish
252. Hobbs
Meaning: Son of Robert
Origin: English
253. Hodges
Meaning: Famous spear
Origin: English
254. Hogan
Meaning: Young warrior
Origin: Irish
255. Holbrook
Meaning: Brook in the hollow
Origin: English
256. Holland
Meaning: From the lowlands
Origin: English
257. Holliday
Meaning: Festive day
Origin: English
258. Holloway
Meaning: Sunken road
Origin: English
259. Holt
Meaning: Small woods
Origin: English
260. Hood
Meaning: Hood maker
Origin: English
261. Hooper
Meaning: Hoop maker
Origin: English
262. Hopkins
Meaning: Son of Hob
Origin: English
263. Horn
Meaning: One who played the horn
Origin: English
264. Houston
Meaning: Settlement on the hill
Origin: Scottish
265. Howard
Meaning: Brave heart
Origin: English
266. Howell
Meaning: Eminent
Origin: Welsh
267. Hubbard
Meaning: Bright mind
Origin: English
268. Huffman
Meaning: Hopeful man
Origin: German
269. Hughes
Meaning: Son of Hugh
Origin: English
270. Humphrey
Meaning: Peaceful warrior
Origin: German
271. Hunt
Meaning: Hunter
Origin: English
272. Hunter
Meaning: One who hunts
Origin: English
273. Ingram
Meaning: Angel-raven
Origin: English
274. Ivy
Meaning: Ivy plant
Origin: English
275. Jackson
Meaning: Son of Jack
Origin: English
276. James
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Hebrew
277. Jennings
Meaning: Son of John
Origin: English
278. Johnson
Meaning: Son of John
Origin: English
279. Johnston
Meaning: Son of John
Origin: Scottish
280. Jones
Meaning: Son of John
Origin: Welsh
281. Jordan
Meaning: Flowing down
Origin: Hebrew
282. Justice
Meaning: Righteous
Origin: English
283. Kane
Meaning: Warrior
Origin: Irish
284. Keene
Meaning: Bold
Origin: English
285. Keller
Meaning: Cellar keeper
Origin: German
286. Kemp
Meaning: Champion
Origin: English
287. Kennedy
Meaning: Helmeted chief
Origin: Irish
288. Kent
Meaning: Coastal land
Origin: English
289. Keyes
Meaning: Keeper of keys
Origin: English
290. Kimball
Meaning: Royal courage
Origin: Old English
291. Kinney
Meaning: Fireborn
Origin: Irish
292. Kirkland
Meaning: Church land
Origin: Scottish
293. Knight
Meaning: Warrior
Origin: English
294. Knowles
Meaning: From the hill
Origin: English
295. Lambert
Meaning: Bright land
Origin: German
296. Lancaster
Meaning: Roman fort on the Lune
Origin: English
297. Langston
Meaning: Long stone
Origin: English
298. Larkin
Meaning: Fierce
Origin: Irish
299. Lawson
Meaning: Son of Lawrence
Origin: English
300. Leach
Meaning: Physician
Origin: English
301. LeBlanc
Meaning: The white one
Origin: French
302. Lee
Meaning: Meadow
Origin: English
303. Lester
Meaning: From Leicester
Origin: English
304. Lewis
Meaning: Famous warrior
Origin: English
305. Lincoln
Meaning: Town by the pool
Origin: English
306. Lindley
Meaning: Linden tree meadow
Origin: English
307. Livingston
Meaning: Dear friend’s town
Origin: Scottish
308. Lockwood
Meaning: Enclosed wood
Origin: English
309. Logan
Meaning: Little hollow
Origin: Scottish
310. Long
Meaning: Tall or long
Origin: English
311. Lott
Meaning: Fortune or fate
Origin: English
312. Lucas
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
313. Lynch
Meaning: Descendant of Loingseach
Origin: Irish
314. Lyons
Meaning: From the city of Lyon
Origin: French
315. Maddox
Meaning: Son of Madoc
Origin: Welsh
316. Mallory
Meaning: Ill-fated
Origin: Old French
317. Malone
Meaning: Devotee of Saint John
Origin: Irish
318. Manning
Meaning: Son of the hero
Origin: English
319. Marshall
Meaning: Horse servant
Origin: Old French
320. Mason
Meaning: Stone worker
Origin: English
321. Mathews
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Hebrew
322. Maxwell
Meaning: Great stream
Origin: Scottish
323. Mayfield
Meaning: Field of May
Origin: English
324. McAllister
Meaning: Son of Alistair
Origin: Scottish
325. McBride
Meaning: Son of Brigid
Origin: Irish
326. McCall
Meaning: Son of Cathal
Origin: Scottish
327. McCarthy
Meaning: Loving
Origin: Irish
328. McCoy
Meaning: Son of Aodh
Origin: Irish
329. McCullough
Meaning: Son of Ulchabh
Origin: Scottish
330. McDonald
Meaning: Son of Donald
Origin: Scottish
331. McGee
Meaning: Son of Aodh
Origin: Irish
332. McIntyre
Meaning: Son of the carpenter
Origin: Scottish
333. McKinney
Meaning: Son of Cionaodh
Origin: Irish
334. McKnight
Meaning: Son of the knight
Origin: Scottish
335. McPherson
Meaning: Son of the parson
Origin: Scottish
336. Mercer
Meaning: Merchant
Origin: French
337. Merritt
Meaning: Boundary gate
Origin: English
338. Milton
Meaning: Mill town
Origin: English
339. Monroe
Meaning: Mouth of the river
Origin: Scottish
340. Montgomery
Meaning: Mountain belonging to Gomer
Origin: French
341. Morgan
Meaning: Sea-born
Origin: Welsh
342. Morrison
Meaning: Son of Morris
Origin: Scottish
343. Morrow
Meaning: Sea warrior
Origin: Scottish
344. Morton
Meaning: Town near the moor
Origin: English
345. Mullins
Meaning: Descendant of Maolain
Origin: Irish
346. Murphy
Meaning: Sea warrior
Origin: Irish
347. Murray
Meaning: From the land by the sea
Origin: Scottish
348. Neal
Meaning: Champion
Origin: Irish
349. Nelson
Meaning: Son of Neil
Origin: English
350. Newton
Meaning: New town
Origin: English
351. Nichols
Meaning: Son of Nicholas
Origin: English
352. Nicholson
Meaning: Son of Nicholas
Origin: English
353. Noble
Meaning: High-born
Origin: English
354. Norris
Meaning: From the north
Origin: English
355. North
Meaning: From the north
Origin: English
356. Norton
Meaning: Northern town
Origin: English
357. Nunn
Meaning: Monastic
Origin: English
358. O’Connell
Meaning: Descendant of Conall
Origin: Irish
359. O’Donnell
Meaning: Descendant of Domhnall
Origin: Irish
360. O’Hara
Meaning: Descendant of Eaghra
Origin: Irish
361. O’Neal
Meaning: Descendant of Niall
Origin: Irish
362. O’Reilly
Meaning: Descendant of Raghallach
Origin: Irish
363. Oakley
Meaning: Oak meadow
Origin: English
364. Ogden
Meaning: Oak valley
Origin: English
365. Oliver
Meaning: Olive tree
Origin: Latin
366. Osborne
Meaning: Divine bear
Origin: Old Norse
367. Overton
Meaning: Upper town
Origin: English
368. Pace
Meaning: Peace
Origin: English
369. Packard
Meaning: One who packs
Origin: English
370. Padgett
Meaning: Page or servant
Origin: Old French
371. Paine
Meaning: Rustic
Origin: Old French
372. Palmer
Meaning: Pilgrim
Origin: English
373. Parnell
Meaning: Little Peter
Origin: French
374. Parrish
Meaning: Church official
Origin: English
375. Parson
Meaning: Clergyman
Origin: English
376. Patton
Meaning: Noble
Origin: Scottish
377. Paulson
Meaning: Son of Paul
Origin: English
378. Paxton
Meaning: Peace town
Origin: English
379. Payne
Meaning: Countryman
Origin: French
380. Pearce
Meaning: Rock
Origin: English
381. Pearson
Meaning: Son of Piers
Origin: English
382. Peebles
Meaning: From the town of Peebles
Origin: Scottish
383. Pennington
Meaning: From the enclosed farm
Origin: English
384. Perkins
Meaning: Son of Peter
Origin: English
385. Perry
Meaning: Pear tree
Origin: English
386. Peters
Meaning: Son of Peter
Origin: English
387. Peterson
Meaning: Son of Peter
Origin: Scandinavian
388. Phelps
Meaning: Son of Philip
Origin: English
389. Pickens
Meaning: Woodpecker
Origin: English
390. Pickett
Meaning: Little pick
Origin: English
391. Pierce
Meaning: Rock
Origin: English
392. Piner
Meaning: Pine tree
Origin: English
393. Pittman
Meaning: Man from the pit
Origin: English
394. Pomeroy
Meaning: Apple orchard
Origin: French
395. Ponder
Meaning: Thoughtful
Origin: English
396. Poole
Meaning: Near a pool
Origin: English
397. Pope
Meaning: Church leader
Origin: English
398. Porter
Meaning: Gatekeeper
Origin: English
399. Post
Meaning: Messenger
Origin: English
400. Potts
Meaning: Pot maker
Origin: English
401. Powell
Meaning: Son of Howell
Origin: Welsh
402. Powers
Meaning: Son of the poor
Origin: Irish
403. Prentice
Meaning: Apprentice
Origin: English
404. Presley
Meaning: Priest’s meadow
Origin: English
405. Preston
Meaning: Priest’s town
Origin: English
406. Prichard
Meaning: Son of Richard
Origin: Welsh
407. Proctor
Meaning: Supervisor
Origin: English
408. Pruett
Meaning: Brave
Origin: French
409. Pugh
Meaning: Son of Hugh
Origin: Welsh
410. Purcell
Meaning: Piglet
Origin: French
411. Putnam
Meaning: Dweller by the pond
Origin: English
412. Quigley
Meaning: Unruly hair
Origin: Irish
413. Quinlan
Meaning: Graceful
Origin: Irish
414. Quinn
Meaning: Wise
Origin: Irish
415. Radford
Meaning: Red ford
Origin: English
416. Ragsdale
Meaning: From Ragsdale
Origin: English
417. Ralston
Meaning: Ralph’s town
Origin: Scottish
418. Ramsey
Meaning: Wild garlic island
Origin: English
419. Randolph
Meaning: Shield wolf
Origin: English
420. Ransom
Meaning: Warrior’s shield
Origin: English
421. Ratliff
Meaning: Red stream
Origin: English
422. Rawlins
Meaning: Son of Ralph
Origin: English
423. Rayburn
Meaning: Deer stream
Origin: English
424. Raymond
Meaning: Wise protector
Origin: German
425. Redding
Meaning: Red-haired
Origin: English
426. Redford
Meaning: Reed ford
Origin: English
427. Redman
Meaning: Red-haired man
Origin: English
428. Reece
Meaning: Ardent
Origin: Welsh
429. Reese
Meaning: Enthusiastic
Origin: Welsh
430. Reid
Meaning: Red-haired
Origin: Scottish
431. Renfro
Meaning: Raven-haired
Origin: Scottish
432. Reynolds
Meaning: Powerful
Origin: English
433. Rhoades
Meaning: Clear land
Origin: English
434. Rhodes
Meaning: From the clearing
Origin: English
435. Rice
Meaning: Fiery warrior
Origin: Welsh
436. Rich
Meaning: Wealthy
Origin: English
437. Richards
Meaning: Son of Richard
Origin: English
438. Richardson
Meaning: Son of Richard
Origin: English
439. Richmond
Meaning: Strong protector
Origin: English
440. Ricketts
Meaning: Brave ruler
Origin: English
441. Riddle
Meaning: Wolf
Origin: English
442. Riggs
Meaning: Ridge dweller
Origin: English
443. Riley
Meaning: Courageous
Origin: Irish
444. Rinehart
Meaning: Strong
Origin: German
445. Ritchie
Meaning: Powerful ruler
Origin: Scottish
446. Roach
Meaning: Rocky
Origin: Irish
447. Robb
Meaning: Bright fame
Origin: Scottish
448. Robbins
Meaning: Son of Robin
Origin: English
449. Roberts
Meaning: Son of Robert
Origin: English
450. Robertson
Meaning: Son of Robert
Origin: Scottish
451. Robinson
Meaning: Son of Robin
Origin: English
452. Roby
Meaning: Famous
Origin: English
453. Rochester
Meaning: Stone camp
Origin: English
454. Rockwell
Meaning: Rocky spring
Origin: English
455. Roderick
Meaning: Famous ruler
Origin: German
456. Rodman
Meaning: Famous man
Origin: English
457. Roper
Meaning: Rope maker
Origin: English
458. Ross
Meaning: Peninsula
Origin: Scottish
459. Rowan
Meaning: Red-haired
Origin: Irish
460. Rowe
Meaning: From the row of houses
Origin: English
461. Rowland
Meaning: Renowned in the land
Origin: English
462. Roy
Meaning: Red-haired
Origin: Scottish
463. Ruben
Meaning: Behold, a son
Origin: Hebrew
464. Rucker
Meaning: Farmer
Origin: German
465. Rutledge
Meaning: Red stream
Origin: English
466. Ryan
Meaning: Little king
Origin: Irish
467. Salter
Meaning: Salt maker
Origin: English
468. Sampson
Meaning: Like the sun
Origin: Hebrew
469. Sanford
Meaning: Sandy ford
Origin: English
470. Sargent
Meaning: Soldier
Origin: French
471. Saunders
Meaning: Son of Alexander
Origin: English
472. Savage
Meaning: Wild
Origin: French
473. Sawyer
Meaning: Woodcutter
Origin: English
474. Schaffer
Meaning: Steward
Origin: German
475. Schofield
Meaning: Hut by the field
Origin: English
476. Schroeder
Meaning: Tailor
Origin: German
477. Scott
Meaning: From Scotland
Origin: Scottish
478. Searcy
Meaning: Noble
Origin: English
479. Sellers
Meaning: Merchant
Origin: English
480. Sewell
Meaning: Sea strong
Origin: English
481. Shaffer
Meaning: Steward
Origin: German
482. Shannon
Meaning: Old river
Origin: Irish
483. Sharpe
Meaning: Keen or sharp
Origin: English
484. Shaw
Meaning: From the woods
Origin: English
485. Sheppard
Meaning: Shepherd
Origin: English
486. Sheridan
Meaning: Wild spirit
Origin: Irish
487. Shields
Meaning: Protection
Origin: Irish
488. Shipman
Meaning: Sailor
Origin: English
489. Shoemaker
Meaning: Shoe maker
Origin: English
490. Short
Meaning: Small or short
Origin: English
491. Sibley
Meaning: Friendly
Origin: English
492. Silver
Meaning: Silver worker
Origin: English
493. Simms
Meaning: Son of Simon
Origin: English
494. Simpson
Meaning: Son of Simon
Origin: English
495. Sinclair
Meaning: From Saint Clair
Origin: French
496. Skinner
Meaning: Tanner or hide worker
Origin: English
497. Slade
Meaning: Valley
Origin: English
498. Slater
Meaning: Slate worker
Origin: English
499. Sloane
Meaning: Warrior
Origin: Irish
500. Smallwood
Meaning: Little forest
Origin: English
501. Smedley
Meaning: Smooth meadow
Origin: English
502. Smiley
Meaning: Cheerful
Origin: English
503. Smith
Meaning: Metal worker
Origin: English
504. Snell
Meaning: Quick
Origin: English
505. Snow
Meaning: White as snow
Origin: English
506. Solomon
Meaning: Peaceful
Origin: Hebrew
507. Sorrell
Meaning: Reddish-brown
Origin: French
508. Southard
Meaning: Southern land
Origin: English
509. Spalding
Meaning: People of the district
Origin: English
510. Sparks
Meaning: Lively
Origin: English
511. Spencer
Meaning: Steward
Origin: English
512. Spooner
Meaning: Spoon maker
Origin: English
513. Springer
Meaning: Lively
Origin: English
514. Stafford
Meaning: From the ford by the landing
Origin: English
515. Staley
Meaning: From the steep hill
Origin: English
516. Stamps
Meaning: Mark maker
Origin: English
517. Stanton
Meaning: Stone settlement
Origin: English
518. Starnes
Meaning: Stone
Origin: English
519. Stedman
Meaning: Estate guardian
Origin: English
520. Steele
Meaning: Like steel
Origin: English
521. Stephenson
Meaning: Son of Stephen
Origin: English
522. Sterling
Meaning: Pure
Origin: English
523. Stevens
Meaning: Son of Stephen
Origin: English
524. Stevenson
Meaning: Son of Stephen
Origin: English
525. Stoddard
Meaning: Horse keeper
Origin: English
526. Stokes
Meaning: From the tree stumps
Origin: English
527. Storey
Meaning: Large building
Origin: English
528. Stratton
Meaning: Town on a Roman road
Origin: English
529. Stringer
Meaning: Rope maker
Origin: English
530. Stuart
Meaning: Steward
Origin: Scottish
531. Sturgis
Meaning: Strength
Origin: English
532. Suggs
Meaning: Victorious
Origin: English
533. Sumner
Meaning: Official messenger
Origin: English
534. Sutherland
Meaning: Southern land
Origin: Scottish
535. Sutton
Meaning: Southern town
Origin: English
536. Swain
Meaning: Knight’s attendant
Origin: English
537. Sweeney
Meaning: Little hero
Origin: Irish
538. Swift
Meaning: Fast
Origin: English
539. Sykes
Meaning: From the stream
Origin: English
540. Talbot
Meaning: Messenger of destruction
Origin: Norman
541. Tate
Meaning: Cheerful
Origin: English
542. Tatum
Meaning: Bringer of joy
Origin: English
543. Terrell
Meaning: Stubborn
Origin: English
544. Thacker
Meaning: Roofer
Origin: English
545. Thayer
Meaning: Army officer
Origin: English
546. Thomas
Meaning: Twin
Origin: Aramaic
547. Thompson
Meaning: Son of Thomas
Origin: English
548. Thorn
Meaning: From the thorn bush
Origin: English
549. Thornton
Meaning: Town near the thorns
Origin: English
550. Thurman
Meaning: Thor’s protector
Origin: Norse
551. Tinsley
Meaning: Tynni’s meadow
Origin: English
552. Tomlinson
Meaning: Son of Tom
Origin: English
553. Townsend
Meaning: From the town’s end
Origin: English
554. Trammell
Meaning: Traveler
Origin: English
555. Trask
Meaning: Brave
Origin: English
Final Words
The Old West period, which lasted from about 1865 to 1895, left us with many interesting family names that tell stories about America’s past.
These surnames came from brave pioneers, gold miners, cowboys, and settlers who moved west looking for a better life.
Old West surnames often showed a person’s job (like Smith or Mason), where they came from (like Hill or Rivers), or special family traits.
Many names we still hear today started during this exciting time in history. Learning about these old names helps us understand how people lived during the Wild West days.
Whether your family has roots in the western frontier or you enjoy history, these unique Old West surnames connect us to an important time when America grew and changed.
