Surnames that begin with C stretch from Irish clans and Italian villages to English trades and Spanish strongholds, and most of them still carry the fingerprint of where a family came from or what they once did for a living. A name like Carpenter tells you about a craft; Chandler points to a candle maker; Castillo traces back to a castle on a hill.
This list gathers 285 last names starting with C, with the origin, meaning, and a bit of history behind each one. You will spot familiar family names alongside plenty you have never met, sorted so you can skim quickly and stop on the ones that catch your eye.
Scroll down to look up your own surname or find one with a story worth borrowing.
285 Most Common Last Names That Start With C
These popular C surnames cover a wide variety of global origins and meanings.
- Caballero: Meaning “knight,” this Spanish name carries a legendary tone.
- Cable: An occupational surname for a rope maker.
- Cabot: A last name of English and French origins, perhaps meaning “sailor.”
- Cabrera: Also of Spanish origin, this surname means “goatherd.”
- Cadbury: Reminding us of the chocolate company, this surname means “fortress, strong place.”
- Caden: This badass Welsh name carries the “spirit of battle.”
- Cadmus: Meaning “dragon’s teeth,” this surname sounds slightly vampiric.
- Cadwaladr: Full of Welsh spirit, meaning “battle leader.”
- Caecillius: An ancient Roman surname with the unusual meaning of “blind.”
- Caelius: Sounds spiritual with its “heaven” meaning from the Latin word “caelum.”
- Caesar: Rich in Roman history, amusingly used for folks “with a fine head of hair.”
- Cafaro: A unique surname, interestingly meaning “unbeliever.”
- Cage: An Old English surname, perhaps for a person in prison or another “cage.”
- Cahill: A gentle variant of Cathal, meaning “strong in battle.”
- Cain: Perhaps derived from the Irish Cathan, meaning “battle warrior.”
- Caird: An occupational surname traditionally bestowed upon a “craftsman.”
- Cake: A sweet name for a family of bakers.
- Calderón: A Spanish surname for a “tinker.”
- Calderwood: After the Scottish river Calder, combined with the topographic element “wood.”
- Caldwell: Meaning “cold stream,” a cute, two-syllable British name.
- Calimeris: A joyful Greek surname, meaning “Good Morning,” from “kalimera.”
- Callaghan: Meaning “bright-headed” for a highly intelligent family.
- Callander: Or Callender are common last names with various meanings and origins.
- Callaway: This French name has the cute meaning of “place with pebbles.”
- Calo: A four-letter option from Greek, meaning “beautiful, good.”
- Calvey: An occupational name for a person who tended cattle.
- Calvin: Also seen as a male name, meaning “bald.”
- Camacho: A Spanish surname, perhaps meaning “crooked, twisted.”
- Cambrie: A fun locational pick from Cambria, the Latinized name for Wales.
- Camden: With Scottish roots, meaning “winding, enclosed valley.”
- Cameron: A Scottish clan surname amusingly meaning “crooked nose,” from the Gaelic “cam” and “sron.”
- Campagna: Meaning “field, countryside,” this is a cozy locational Italian pick.
- Campbell: A Gaelic pick meaning “crooked mouth,” and the name of Clan Campbell, one of the largest and most powerful Highland clans.
- Camper: A name of unknown meaning, perhaps for a family who are happiest when living outdoors.
- Campo: Sounds outdoorsy among Spanish surnames starting with C, meaning “field.”
- Campos: The plural form of Campo, also meaning “field.”
- Candida: Fancy and pure, meaning “white.”
- Cannon: A Gaelic surname that sounds fierce and tough.
- Cano: Rooted in Latin, Cano carries a sense of wisdom, meaning “old, white-haired.”
- Cantrell: Meaning “bell ringer” or “singer” for musical families.
- Cantrill: An Old English surname meaning “bellman.”
- Caomhánach: A royal name with ancient Irish roots, meaning “friendly, merciful, dear.”
- Caputo: For a strong-headed individual, this common Italian name means “head.”
- Carbone: An Italian surname meaning “coal.”
- Cárdenas: A common Spanish surname after various places in Spain, meaning “blue, purple.”
- Carder: An old occupational surname for someone who practices carding.
- Carew: An old name traditionally given to a family who resided by a fort or slope.
- Carey: Of Irish roots, meaning “dark, black.”
- Carina: Meaning “beloved,” this Roman surname and feminine name is highly affectionate.
- Carling: Reminding us of the beer company, this “Carl-” name means “free man.”
- Carlisle: A geographic name after the city of Carlisle in northern England.
- Carlson: Meaning “son of Carl” for a “free man.”
- Carlton: Pleasantly meaning “town of the free man.”
- Carmack: Rooted in the Gaelic name Cormac, meaning “charioteer.”
- Carmichael: After a place in Scotland, meaning “Fort Michael.”
- Caro: Also means “beloved,” for a family full of love.
- Carozza: This Italian surname hilariously shares its name with a type of fried cheese sandwich.
- Carpender: A variant spelling of Carpenter, with the same meaning.
- Carpenter: A highly recognizable pick among old occupational last names starting with C.
- Carpentier: A French form of Carpenter, with the same crafty meaning.
- Carr: With Norse origins, this surname means “swamp, brush, thicket.”
- Carrillo: A Spanish surname uniquely used as a nickname for someone with a prominent “cheek, jaw.”
- Carrington: A locational name beginning with C, after various English place names.
- Carroll: Or Carrell, meaning “sharp” or “fierce warrior” from Irish roots.
- Carrow: From Welsh and Cornish origins, perhaps meaning “dweller at the hill fort.”
- Carter: An occupational surname for someone who transported goods by cart, borne by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
- Cartridge: Another “Cart-” surname, perhaps originating as a variant of Cartwright.
- Cartwright: A variant of Carter, this time for a person who makes carts.
- Caruso: A charming European surname meaning “apprentice, young boy.”
- Carver: For someone who carves things for a living.
- Case: From the occupation of a “case, box” maker, dating back to Norman times.
- Casella: From the Spanish “casa,” meaning “house,” perhaps for an owner of a notable abode.
- Casey: Meaning “watchful, vigilant,” this common given and last name is rooted in Irish Gaelic.
- Cash: A variant of Case, popular for wealthy families.
- Casimir: A Slavic name meaning “destroyer of peace.”
- Cassidy: A classic Gaelic pick from the Irish “O Caiside,” often linked to a “curly-haired” ancestor.
- Cassius: It sounds pretty but translates to “vain, empty.”
- Castañeda: A gorgeous Spanish surname meaning “chestnut grove.”
- Castell: This Gaelic surname means “castle,” full of power and majesty.
- Castellanos: A Spanish surname meaning “Castilian” or “castle keeper,” tied to the historic Castile region.
- Castillano: Or Castilla, for someone from Spain’s medieval “castle” region.
- Castillo: A Spanish surname meaning “castle,” from the Latin “castellum,” and one of the most common Hispanic last names in the U.S. today.
- Castle: A great English vocabulary surname, strong and commanding in tone.
- Castor: Like the twin from Roman mythology, meaning “shining.”
- Castro: Commanding and famous among C surnames that mean “castle.”
- Catalán: Traditionally used for someone from the eastern Catalonia region of Spain.
- Catallus: Like the late Roman era poet, with the adorable meaning of “puppy.”
- Catchpole: A unique pick after a medieval type of tax collector.
- Cathal: Meaning “battle ruler” or “strong in war.”
- Cato: A powerful name for a brilliant family, meaning “wise, intelligent.”
- Cattaneo: A wonderful choice for sailors, this Italian surname means “captain.”
- Caulfield: A classic literary surname meaning “cold field.”
- Causer: A less common variant of Chaucer.
- Cauvin: Meaning “bald,” this name eventually morphed into the more popular Calvin.
- Cavendish: One of the longer C surnames, after a place name in the U.K.
- Cecil: Meaning “sixth,” this Latin-rooted Welsh name is an interesting option to consider.
- Cerf: A medieval French last name that starts with C, meaning “deer, stag.”
- Cervantes: Very recognizable among Spanish C last names, meaning “servant” or “stag.”
- Chalkey: A fun surname, perhaps geographical for an English place rich in chalk.
- Chamberlain: Historically denoting a nobleman’s bedchamber attendant or officer.
- Chambers: A shorter pick traditionally given to a nobleman’s “chamber” servant.
- Chan: A hugely common surname created as a romanization of various Chinese surnames.
- Chance: A great surname referencing “good fortune.”
- Chancellor: Another old occupational surname referring to a “secretary, chancellor.”
- Chand: Meaning “moon,” this common pick is Sanskrit in origin.
- Chandler: A friendly occupational surname meaning “candle maker,” from the Old French “chandelier.”
- Chang: A very common Chinese surname, perhaps meaning “forever” or “long, extending.”
- Chaplin: Means “clergyman,” perfect for fans of classic comedy.
- Chapman: A masculine-sounding English surname, meaning “merchant, trader.”
- Chaput: Shrouded in mystery, this French surname means “cloak, hood.”
- Charles: One of the most popular and regal English given names, meaning “free man.”
- Chase: Means “huntsman,” one of the more active last names that start with C.
- Chastain: Earthy and rich among French C names, meaning “chestnut, chestnut tree.”
- Chatfield: Derived from an English place name, this surname sounds sweet and friendly.
- Chatham: This “Chat-” surname was also derived from various U.K. place names.
- Chaucer: With French origins, this occupational surname means “shoemaker” or “hosier.”
- Chaudhary: A common Indian surname derived from an honorific title.
- Chauncey: Also of French roots, with a potential meaning of “chance, fortune.”
- Chávez: This Latin-rooted surname translates to “golden, blonde.”
- Cheeseman: Literally used for someone who sells or makes cheese.
- Cheever: An animal-inspired option among English last names with C, meaning “goat.”
- Chen: One of the most common surnames in the world, this Chinese name relates to the ancient state of Chen.
- Chesney: Handsome and earthy, meaning “oak grove” or “camp.”
- Chester: Like the city in England, meaning “fortress.”
- Chevalier: A regal French pick for a “knight” in shining armor.
- Childers: Believed to be an occupational surname for someone who worked or lived in an orphanage.
- Chisaka: A Japanese surname said to mean a “thousand hills.”
- Chlebek: This Polish surname means “baker.”
- Chloros: A vivid choice of color name, meaning “green.”
- Choi: A popular Korean surname meaning “best, top, superior.”
- Christensen: A Danish and Norwegian surname meaning “son of Christian.”
- Christianus: Holy and powerful for a “follower of Christ.”
- Christodoulopoulos: One of the longest C surnames, meaning “child of the servant of Christ” in Greek.
- Christopher: Like the timeless male given name, meaning “bearer of Christ.”
- Chubsey: A very rare yet completely charming surname with unknown meaning.
- Chung: A common Asian surname often used as a romanization of various Chinese surnames.
- Church: A straightforward surname, especially fitting for a devout family.
- Churchill: A powerful English surname meaning “church by the hill.”
- Ciaran: A cool Gaelic given and last name, meaning “dark one.”
- Cicero: A Roman surname with the random meaning of “chickpea.”
- Cirillo: A “lordly, masterful” pick among Italian last names that start with C.
- Cisneros: A Spanish surname with the graceful, bird-inspired meaning of “swans.”
- Citlalpopoca: A rare Aztec surname meaning “smoking star, comet.”
- Clacher: Unique among occupational Gaelic surnames, meaning “stonemason.”
- Clarence: Meaning “bright, famous, illustrious,” once popular as a male given name.
- Claridge: A cozy English surname inspired by the name of an area in Sussex.
- Clark: Means “clerk” or “scribe,” from the Latin “clericus,” and one of the most common surnames across the English-speaking world.
- Clarke: Another spelling of Clark, derived from the Latin “clericus.”
- Clarkson: Meaning “son of the clerk,” a patronymic form of Clark or Clarke.
- Clarus: This Old Latin name meaning “clear, famous” made way for the popular girl name Clara.
- Claude: A powerful Latin name, maybe meaning “strong-willed” or “lame, crippled.”
- Clay: Originally for a person who worked with or molded clay.
- Clayton: Means “clay settlement” for a town rich in natural clay.
- Clearwater: A pretty topographic name for a place with the clearest springs.
- Cleary: A fun occupational surname given to a “scribe, cleric.”
- Clegg: An English surname meaning “haystack.”
- Clemens: A late Latin name of beautiful tone, meaning “merciful.”
- Clemenson: Meaning “son of Clement” for “merciful” children.
- Clement: An Old French form of Clemens, meaning “merciful.”
- Clerk: Less common than Clark but shares the meaning of “clerk, scribe.”
- Cleveland: A great presidential name, meaning “cliff land.”
- Cliff: A male given name and surname inspired by high-reaching rock formations.
- Clifford: Also geographical, meaning “ford by a cliff.”
- Clifton: For a family who lives in a “town by a cliff.”
- Cline: An Anglicized form of the German “Klein,” meaning “small,” and famously carried by singer Patsy Cline.
- Clinton: A famous presidential surname derived from Old English town names Glympton or Glinton.
- Clooney: This celebrity surname may refer to a “quick-witted” or “rogue” individual.
- Close: Meaning “close, enclosure,” like a type of courtyard at the end of a street.
- Cloud: A dreamy name that dates back to medieval England.
- Cloutier: Uniquely meaning “nailer,” for someone who made or sold nails.
- Clower: This occupational surname refers directly to a “nailer.”
- Clyde: A homely Scottish surname for a “keeper of keys.”
- Coaker: A variant of Coker, meaning “crooked.”
- Coates: From Old English origins, with “cote” meaning “cottage.”
- Coatl: A great Native Mexican surname meaning “serpent.”
- Cobb: An old nickname meaning “lump,” often given to a large person.
- Cochran: A Scottish surname, perhaps meaning “red brook.”
- Cocker: A pet name from the northern U.K. and a variant of Coaker as a surname.
- Coe: This three-letter British name means “jackdaw.”
- Coen: Perhaps a spelling variant of Cohen, meaning “priest.”
- Coffey: A popular Irish surname from “O Cobhthaigh,” likely meaning “victorious.”
- Coffin: An occupational pick after a type of container or chest.
- Cohen: Meaning “priest,” this is a popular Jewish surname.
- Coker: A Celtic name meaning “crooked.”
- Colbert: With English and French origins, Colbert may mean “cool, bright.”
- Colby: Meaning “coal settlement,” a place name for a coal-rich town.
- Cole: A name connected to deep black colors, meaning “coal, charcoal.”
- Coleman: Traditionally used for a man who burned or traded charcoal, also tied to the Irish saint name Colman.
- Collier: A cute seven-letter name for a seller of “charcoal.”
- Collingwood: Another British surname derived from a specific place name.
- Collins: A hugely common British surname, meaning “hazel grove.”
- Colombo: Meaning “dove,” this Italian surname was traditionally bestowed upon orphans.
- Colón: A pretty Spanish variant of Colombo, meaning “dove.”
- Colt: An adventurous name used for a keeper of horses.
- Colter: Similar to Colt, this name also makes a trendy male given name.
- Combe: An Old English word meaning “valley,” full of rugged appeal.
- Combs: A variant of Combe, meaning “valley.”
- Comiskey: Popular and rhythmic among Irish surnames, yet with uncertain meaning.
- Compton: A cool and homely surname after various places that bear the name.
- Comstock: A unique eight-letter surname, meaning “dweller in a valley.”
- Conan: A great British name meaning “little wolf.”
- Condor: Inspired by the vulture species, making it a rather fierce choice.
- Condos: A Greek surname meaning “short.”
- Conley: A shorter spelling of Connelly, originating from Gaelic.
- Connell: From the Gaelic given name Conall, meaning “strong wolf.”
- Connelly: A great Old Gaelic surname for a “valiant” person as “fierce as a hound.”
- Connery: This Conroy variant is excellent for fans of classic spy movies.
- Connor: Common as an Irish given and last name, meaning “lover of hounds.”
- Conrad: A masculine name with German roots, meaning “brave counsel.”
- Conroy: Meaning “hound keeper,” from the Irish name Conaire.
- Constable: Historically referring to an “officer of the stable.”
- Conti: A noble Italian title meaning “count.”
- Contreras: A Spanish locational surname meaning “from the surrounding areas.”
- Conway: Named after a river in Wales, with the divine meaning of “holy river.”
- Cook: For a seller of cooked meats, this surname is also commonly seen as Cooke.
- Cookson: Specifically means “son of Cook.”
- Coombs: Similar to Combe, this Old English name means “valley.”
- Coop: A shorter four-letter form of Cooper.
- Cooper: A common Middle English occupational surname for a “barrel maker,” from the word “coup” for a wooden vessel.
- Cope: A great Old English surname meaning “cloak, cape.”
- Copper: Named after the rusty-bronze metal or a nickname for a policeman.
- Copperfield: A great literary surname for fans of Charles Dickens.
- Coppola: Named after a traditional style of flat cap in Italy.
- Corbin: An English surname with the animal-inspired meaning of “crow.”
- Córdova: From Córdoba, after the historic city in Spain.
- Corleone: Famous from pop culture, this surname is after a real town in Italy.
- Cornelius: A regal Roman family name meaning “horn.”
- Cornell: A smart surname choice functioning as a shorter form of Cornwall.
- Cornwall: After the beautiful English county located at the southwestern tip of the country.
- Corona: This Spanish surname means “crown.”
- Corrie: An Irish surname magically meaning “cauldron.”
- Corrin: A Gaelic name perhaps meaning “little spear.”
- Cortés: Or Cortéz, Spanish surnames for families with “courteous, polite” values.
- Corvinus: A great name to use in a story, meaning “raven.”
- Costa: Meaning “coast,” this Italian surname sounds like a summer vacation.
- Côté: Also meaning “coast,” this time originating from French.
- Cothi: A sweet-sounding and gentle Welsh surname inspired by the river Cothi.
- Cougar: A sporty name inspired by the large wildcat species.
- Coulter: A Scottish and Irish pick with various meanings including “back land.”
- Coulthard: For someone who works with horses, perhaps as a “colt” keeper.
- Count: A noble title that feels historic and commanding.
- Countess: The feminine equivalent of Count.
- Coutts: Or Couts, both Gaelic surnames with the cozy meaning of “nook.”
- Couture: An Old French name meaning “tailor,” full of stylish class.
- Cowie: A cute five-letter occupational surname for someone who works with cows.
- Cowman: A Norman surname for a person who works closely with cattle.
- Cox: An English surname meaning “from the hills.”
- Coyne: Meaning “descendant of Cadhan,” an Irish name meaning “wild goose.”
- Craig: Meaning “crag, rock,” this Scottish surname is also a cool male given name.
- Crawford: Carries the lofty meaning of “crow crossing” or “crow ford.”
- Crespo: Means “curly” for a Spanish person with great hair.
- Cressida: A beautiful surname with Greek roots, meaning “gold.”
- Crimson: A rich name inspired by the deep shade of red.
- Crofford: A gentle English surname acting as a spelling variant of Crawford.
- Crook: An English name simply meaning “nook, bend.”
- Crosby: Traditionally used for a person who lived “by a cross.”
- Cross: A common surname after a stone or physical cross.
- Crossley: Derived from a phrase referring to a clearing with a stone cross marking.
- Crouch: Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, given to a person living near a “cross.”
- Crow: A striking surname inspired by the black bird.
- Crowley: An Anglicized form of an Old Irish name meaning “descendant of the hardy warrior.”
- Crowther: A unique musical name for a player of the Old Welsh instrument known as a crwth.
- Cruickshank: A Scots surname from a nickname meaning “one with crooked legs.”
- Cruise: A celebrity surname meaning “brave, fierce” from Norman origins.
- Cruz: A popular Hispanic surname meaning “cross.”
- Cryer: An impactful surname for a “town crier” who shouts out all local announcements.
- Cuevas: From the Spanish word for “cave,” perhaps for a cavern-dwelling family.
- Cui: A very common surname in eastern Asia with various possible interpretations.
- Cullen: A popular surname meaning “handsome, holy” or “colony.”
- Culpepper: A unique and spicy surname from Old English meaning “pepper gatherer.”
- Culver: Another bird-related surname meaning “dove” or “pigeon.”
- Cumberbatch: An upper-class name originating from a place in Cheshire, U.K.
- Cummings: An Old Breton name meaning “bent.”
- Cummins: A slightly shorter variant of Cummings.
- Cunningham: A place name and old clan name rooted in the Scottish lowlands.
- Curling: Perhaps the cutest nickname for a person with “curly” hair.
- Curran: A sharp Irish name meaning “dagger, spear.”
- Currie: An Old British name with various possible English, Irish, and Scottish roots.
- Curry: A spelling variant of Currie with many possible roots.
- Curtis: A surname for a “courteous” or “well-bred” family, from the Old French “curteis.”
- Cuthbert: A Victorian-era surname meaning “famous, bright.”
- Cutler: An occupational name for a “knife-maker.”
- Cyprian: A saintly pick for a family originally “from Cyprus.”
- Cyril: A high-status, old-fashioned male name meaning “lordly.”
- Cyrus: A Persian given name and cool surname meaning “sun” or “care.”
