180 African American Surnames and Where They Come From

Black last names carry the weight of family, migration, and reinvention. Some trace back to West Africa, the Caribbean, or Creole Louisiana, while others were reshaped by the history of slavery and the fresh starts that followed emancipation.

Many enslaved families were handed a European surname or the name of an enslaver. When freedom came, some kept those names for practical reasons while others chose new ones, whether a trade, a place, a biblical figure, or a plain declaration like Freeman, to say who they were on their own terms.

Below are 180 African American surnames with their origins and meanings, from Yoruba and Swahili roots to the census favorites like Williams and Washington.

180 African American Surnames

Whether you want a historical surname carried down through generations or a distinct name rooted in African, Caribbean, or Creole heritage, each entry pairs the name with its origin and meaning:

1. Abdu: This short Islamic name means “worshipper of God.”
2. Adebayo: An uncommon African surname starting with A, meaning “born in a joyful time.”
3. Adika: A Ghanaian name meaning “first child from a second husband.”
4. Adkins: This name is of Hebrew origin, meaning “son of little Adam.”
5. Akande: Of Nigerian and Yoruba origin, meaning “firstborn.”
6. Alexander: Derived from the Greek hero Alexander the Great, meaning “defender of men.”
7. Allen: This name is of French origin, meaning “noble, precious, handsome, cheerful, and rock.”
8. Amade: This Latin name means “one whom God loves.”
9. Anderson: A Scandinavian name meaning “son of Andrew” or “man, warrior.”
10. Anthony: Of Latin and Roman origin, meaning “highly praiseworthy.”
11. Atta: This Arabic and Turkish name means “father and twin.”
12. Badu: A West African name meaning “tenth-born child.”
13. Baez: This name is of Hispanic descent, meaning “son of Pelayo.”
14. Bailey: It means “bailiff” in French and “fortification” in English.
15. Bakari: This Tanzanian surname means “noble promise” in Swahili.
16. Baker: An occupational Old English name (from the Old English “bæcere”) for someone who baked bread or tended the communal village oven.
17. Bamgbala: A popular Nigerian surname meaning “graceful, great champion, and social person.”
18. Banks: This traditional Old English name means “edge of the river.”
19. Barbier: A French and Norman name meaning “whisker.”
20. Barnes: A classic Old English habitational and occupational name meaning “of the barn.”
21. Baruti: This name hails from Botswana and means “educator.”
22. Bell: Of Scottish and Middle English origin, meaning “handsome.”
23. Bennett: Derived from the Latin word “benedictus,” meaning “blessed.”
24. Benoit: The French form of Benedict, meaning “blessed.”
25. Berry: A common Old English surname starting with B, meaning “small fruit.”
26. Black: Mainly of Old English and Scottish origin, referring to the color.
27. Blackman: A name given to Danish Viking settlers in Scotland, meaning “dark man.”
28. Blackwell: An English habitational name for someone “living near a dark stream.”
29. Blake: An Old English name meaning “black, pale, white.”
30. Blanco: A Spanish surname meaning “white or blond.”
31. Boone: Of Old French and Latin origin, meaning “good.”
32. Brown: A descriptive name representing people with “brown skin or hair.”
33. Burns: This habitational Scottish name means “brook, stream, and house.”
34. Butler: Of French and Latin origin, meaning “wine steward or servant.”
35. Campbell: A Scottish name originally describing someone with a “crooked mouth.”
36. Cannon: This Old English occupational name means “clergyman.”
37. Carter: An English, Irish, and Scottish occupational name for someone who “transported goods by cart.”
38. Castille: Meaning “quarrel or squabble,” this Creole name originates from France.
39. Celestine: Of Latin origin, meaning “heavenly.”
40. Chambers: This French and Latin occupational name is for someone “in service.”
41. Charlemont: A French name meaning “ambitious and playful.”
42. Charles: Meaning “free man,” this became a meaningful choice for formerly enslaved people.
43. Chartier: Derived from Norman and French roots, this occupational name means “carter.”
44. Chevalier: A French name for a “mounted knight or horseman of noble birth.”
45. Clarke: Derived from the Latin “clericus,” referring to a “clerk” in Old English.
46. Clayton: In Old English, this name means “clay town.”
47. Cooper: An occupational surname starting with C that means “barrel maker” in Old English.
48. Crawford: A habitational name from Scotland, meaning “a ford where crows gather.”
49. Daniels: Of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my judge.”
50. Dauphin: This regal name comes from the French word for “dolphin.”
51. Davidson: It means “son of David” in Norse and “beloved” in Latin and Hebrew.
52. Dawson: In Old English, this name translates to “son of David.”
53. Diaz: This popular Spanish name means “son of Diego.”
54. Doyle: A classic Irish American name meaning “descendant of Dubhghall.”
55. Drake: This Middle English name derives from the Greek word “drakon,” meaning “dragon.”
56. Dubois: A French occupational name for a “woodcutter” or someone “from the wood.”
57. Dufrene: This topographical French name means “ash tree.”
58. Duncan: A Gaelic and Scottish name meaning “dark or brown warrior.”
59. Dupont: A habitational French name meaning “of the bridge.”
60. Earl: This English surname means “pledge and nobleman.”
61. Eaton: Of Old English origin, meaning “island settlement.”
62. Edwards: Linked to prosperity and fortune, it means “son of Edward.”
63. Elendu: Derived from the Igbo people of Nigeria, meaning “love life.”
64. Elliot: Of British and French origin, meaning “the Lord is my God.”
65. Ellis: Taken from the Hebrew name Elijah, it means “benevolent” in Welsh.
66. Emerson: This Old English surname means “Emery’s son.”
67. Essien: A popular Ibibio name from Nigeria, meaning “child who takes charge of outside matters.”
68. Evans: This Welsh name derives from Hebrew and means “son of Evan.”
69. Farmer: Derived from the French “fermier,” this occupational name means “collector of taxes.”
70. Faro: Possibly of German origin meaning “journey,” or “handsome servant” in English.
71. Fenton: Of Old English origin, meaning “marsh town.”
72. Ferguson: This Scottish and Gaelic name means “son of Fergus.”
73. Fisher: An occupational name from the Old English “fiscare,” meaning “fisherman.”
74. Fitzgerald: Of Irish and Norman origin, meaning “son of Gerald.”
75. Fleming: Meaning “Flemish person” or “man from Flanders,” rooted in Old French.
76. Ford: A habitational English name given to someone who lives near a “river crossing.”
77. Foster: An occupational English name for someone “working in a forest.”
78. Freeman: Derives from the Old English “freomann,” meaning “free-borne man.”
79. French: Refers to the language or describes someone living near an “ash tree.”
80. Gabriel: Taken from the Hebrew name “Gavri’el,” meaning “God is my strength.”
81. Gaines: A meaningful Old English name for the formerly enslaved, meaning “freedom-loving.”
82. Garcia: This Spanish name possibly means “son of Gerald” or “bear.”
83. Gardner: An occupational Old English name for one who “keeps a garden.”
84. Garrett: Translates to “spear strength” in Irish and “defender” in Old Norse.
85. Gibson: Possibly Old English or Scottish, meaning “son of Gilbert.”
86. Gray: Of Gaelic and Old English origin, describing a “gray-haired and pleasant” person.
87. Hamilton: From Scottish and Old English roots, meaning “flat-topped hill,” “crooked hill,” or “beautiful mountain.”
88. Hampton: An Old English surname meaning “home settlement.”
89. Harper: A musical occupational name meaning “harp player.”
90. Harrison: Derived from German, this English surname means “son of Harry.”
91. Hasaan: This Arabic Muslim name means “good-looking and handsome.”
92. Hawkins: A descriptive Old English name meaning “little hawk.”
93. Hayes: A habitational Old English name meaning “hedged area.”
94. Henry: This Germanic name means “home-ruler” and “estate-ruler.”
95. Hicks: An ancient Anglo-Saxon name for someone who is the “son of Richard.”
96. Hobbs: An Old English name possibly meaning “son of Robert” or “bright fame.”
97. Hudson: A classic name meaning “son of Hugh.”
98. Hughes: This Irish and Welsh surname means “fire.”
99. Hunter: An occupational Old English surname for “one who hunts.”
100. Idris: In Welsh, Idris means “fiery leader” and “to learn and study” in Arabic.
101. Imani: Originating from Swahili, this name means “faithful person.”
102. Ingram: Meaning “Ing’s raven” from the Norse god of peace and fertility.
103. Irwin: Derived from Celtic, Old English, and German roots, meaning “boar friend.”
104. Jackson: A widespread surname meaning “son of Jack,” and one of the Blackest common names in America, with roughly half of all Jacksons identifying as African American.
105. Jacobs: A derivative of James, meaning “supplanter” in Latin and Hebrew.
106. James: A classic English name derived from Hebrew, meaning “supplanter.”
107. Jean-Baptiste: From John the Baptist, meaning “to dip” in Greek and “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
108. Jefferson: A presidential surname meaning “son of Jeffrey,” and the second most heavily Black common name in the country, with about 75% of Jeffersons identifying as African American in the 2000 census ⁽¹⁾.
109. Jennings: Associated with Wales and Ireland, this Old English name means “little John.”
110. Jordan: From the Hebrew “yarden,” meaning “to go down.”
111. Joseph: Derived from the Hebrew boy’s name “Yosef,” meaning “he will add.”
112. Kande: A meaningful name that translates to “first-born daughter.”
113. Kelly: This unisex Irish first and last name means “bright-headed” and “strife, war.”
114. Kemp: An Anglo-Saxon name meaning “combat” and “reaping the harvest” in Scotland.
115. Kennedy: A famous political name meaning “helmeted head.”
116. Kesse: A Ghanaian name of Akan origin meaning “the great one” or “big at birth.”
117. Kim: Of Old English and Korean origin, meaning “gold.”
118. King: Connected to civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., this name means “ruler or monarch.”
119. Knight: A name traditionally used by servants in knightly or royal households.
120. Lambert: A Dutch and Germanic name meaning “bright land.”
121. Lawson: An Old English surname meaning “son of Lawrence.”
122. Le Blanc: A common French surname meaning “the white.”
123. Leger: In French it means “light and superficial,” and “tax collector” in Middle Dutch.
124. Lewis: With roots in English, French, and Scottish cultures, this name means “famous warrior.”
125. Lincoln: Connected to the architect of emancipation, this name means “lake colony.”
126. Lloyd: This popular Welsh name means “gray.”
127. Lopez: Meaning “son of Lope,” this Spanish word derives from the Latin “lupus,” meaning “wolf.”
128. Lucas: This Greek name means “man from Lucania” and “bringer of light” in Latin.
129. Lyons: Possibly named after the French city Lyon, meaning “lion.”
130. Mack: Of Scottish and Irish origin, meaning “son of.”
131. Malone: A classic Irish surname meaning “devoted or disciple of St. John.”
132. Marshall: This Old English occupational name refers to someone who “looks after horses.”
133. Matthews: A popular “M” surname meaning “gift of Yahweh” in Hebrew.
134. Mbeki: Associated with a former South African President, meaning “dedication, friendliness, freshness.”
135. McCoy: A meaningful yet common Irish name meaning “fire.”
136. Meadows: A habitational name for someone who “worked or lived on a field or grassland.”
137. Medina: Named after a Saudi Arabian city, meaning “city of the Prophet.”
138. Melton: This Scottish name means “town or settlement in the middle of hamlets.”
139. Menard: A Germanic name meaning “brave or hard strength.”
140. Molapo: A habitational name from the Lesotho Kingdom, meaning “river.”
141. Moreau: A classic Old French name meaning “dark-skinned.”
142. Morgan: This Welsh, Irish, and Scottish name means “of the sea, sea-born, and sea circle.”
143. Myers: Meaning “mayor, bailiff, steward, or marsh” in Old English, French, and Norse.
144. Nash: A habitational name for someone living “near the ash tree.”
145. Nduka: An Igbo name from southeastern Nigeria meaning “life is supreme.”
146. Nelson: Meaning “son of Neil” in Celtic and English.
147. Newton: A simple Old English name describing someone from a “new town.”
148. Noel: An Old French name given to children born at “Christmas.”
149. Norris: From the Old French word “norreis,” meaning “northerner.”
150. Norton: Of Old English and German descent, meaning “northern town.”
151. Odom: This Old English surname means “pleased or satisfied.”
152. Oliver: It means “olive tree” in Latin and French, and “affectionate” in Norse.
153. Orleans: Referring to the city in France, this Latin name means “golden.”
154. Ortiz: Of disputed Basque and Latin origin, meaning “son of Orti” or “brave, strong, and fortunate.”
155. Owens: The English version of the Welsh “owain,” meaning “young warrior.”
156. Parker: A longer form of Park, meaning “park keeper.”
157. Parks: An Old English occupational name for “park keepers.”
158. Picard: A geographic name for someone “from Picardy” in France.
159. Powell: A classic Old Welsh name meaning “son of Howell.”
160. Quick: Of Dutch, German, and Old English origin, meaning “lively.”
161. Quinn: An ancient Irish and Scottish surname meaning “counsel.”
162. Reynolds: Possibly French or German, meaning “son of Reynold.”
163. Robertson: A typical Scottish surname meaning “son of Robert.”
164. Rogers: Rooted in Old German, meaning “son of Roger” or “fame spear.”
165. Rose: Derived from the Latin “rosa,” referring to the flower, meaning “famous type.”
166. Tate: A gender-neutral name meaning “cheerful.”
167. Taylor: From the Norman and French occupational word “tailleur,” meaning “tailor.”
168. Thierry: The French form of Terry, meaning “people’s ruler.”
169. Toussaint: This French and Haitian name means “all saints.”
170. Underwood: An Old English surname for someone dwelling at the “foot of a wood.”
171. Vallot: A French habitational name for someone living in a small “valley.”
172. van den Berg: This Dutch geographical name means “from the mountain slope.”
173. van der Meer: Another Dutch geographical name for someone “from the lake.”
174. Vidal: A Latin and Spanish first and last name meaning “life-giving.”
175. Washington: Rooted in England as “washing town” or the settlement of Wassa’s people, it carries unusual weight for Black Americans: in the 2010 census roughly 88 percent of people named Washington identified as Black, the highest share of any common United States surname ⁽²⁾.
176. Williams: An English surname with Germanic roots meaning “resolute protector,” and the single most common last name among Black Americans.
177. Wilson: Of Germanic and English origin, meaning “son of Will.”
178. Xavier: Pronounced ZAY-vee-er, this Spanish surname means “new house.”
179. Yates: Introduced after the Norman conquests, this name means “gatekeeper.”
180. Young: Referring to a junior member of a group, it also means “prosperity” in Korean.

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