180 Black Last Names: for Little Princes & Princesses

Black last names carry rich meanings rooted in family history, culture, and geography. Historical events profoundly shaped African American surnames over the centuries.

These names hold a special weight due to the harsh realities of ancestral enslavement. Many families received European surnames or the names of their enslavers. This practice forced a connection to their captors instead of honoring their vibrant African and Caribbean heritage. Following emancipation, many individuals chose new names to reclaim their identities and celebrate their freedom.

Explore this list of 180 unique and meaningful African American last names along with their origins.

180 African American Surnames

Whether you need a popular historical surname or a distinct ancestral name, this list covers all the bases:

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 Anglo-French surname meaning “shepherd.”
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 Irish African name for someone who “transports 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 highly popular surname meaning “son of Jack.”
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 popular presidential surname meaning “son of Jeffrey.”
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 South African name meaning “fat 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: A bright and cheerful Swahili name meaning “ray of sunshine.”
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: Translates to “life-giving” and “vital,” functioning as a Latin and Spanish first and last name.
175. Washington: Hailing from various regions of England, it means “washing town” or “settlement of Wassa’s people.”
176. Williams: This typical English surname derives from Germany and means “resolute protector.”
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.

Black Last Names FAQs

Which Black Last Names Are Swahili?

Black last names from Swahili include Nduka, Embeke, Kesse, and Imani. Black Swahili surnames are highly descriptive, carrying uplifting meanings like “ray of sunshine,” “friendliness,” and “freshness.”

What Are the Most Common African American Last Names?

Williams, Johnson, Smith, and Jones are heavily represented in the United States today. These names reflect the historical naming practices widely adopted by families following emancipation.

Why Do Many Black Families Have European Surnames?

During slavery, enslavers frequently forced their own surnames onto enslaved people. After gaining their freedom, some individuals kept these names for practical reasons while others consciously chose new ones to redefine their identities.

How Did Emancipated Slaves Choose Their Last Names?

Many selected the names of inspirational historical figures like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Others chose occupational names, adopted place names connected to their roots, or selected descriptive names that reflected their newfound status.

What Is the Significance of the Surname Freeman?

Freeman became a highly popular surname choice immediately after the Civil War. It served as a proud, public declaration of a person’s newly recognized status as a free citizen of the United States.

Are There African American Last Names Directly From Africa?

Yes. Over time, increased cultural awareness led many Black Americans to adopt or reclaim traditional African surnames. Names like Adebayo, Bakari, and Nduka are popular choices used to honor ancestral heritage.

Do Black Last Names Differ by Region in the United States?

They definitely vary by location. Creole-influenced names like Castille and Dubois are highly concentrated in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, while British-derived surnames are far more common across the deep South and the East Coast.