200+ Australian Last Names With Meanings (2026 Updated)

Australian last names give a stark representation of the history and diversity of the nation.

Surnames rooted in the early Aboriginal peoples, European settlers, and various waves of immigrant peoples over the centuries show a blend of traditions, languages, and influences.

Whether British, Irish, or more recent multicultural origins, Australian surnames are a living testament to a wide variety of identity, migration, and adaptation.

In this article, we briefly examine the etymology of some common and interesting Australian last names and how they influenced the cultural history of the nation.

Australian last names

Abbott – From the Old English “abbod,” meaning “father” or “abbot,” often referring to a leader in a monastery.

Adams – A patronymic surname derived from the given name “Adam,” meaning “man” or “earth.”

Baker – Occupational surname for someone who worked as a baker.

Barrett – Derived from the Old French “baron” or “beret,” meaning “brave” or “bear-like.”

Beckett – From the Old English “bece,” meaning “stream” or “brook.”

Bennett – Derived from the Latin name “Benedictus,” meaning “blessed.”

Black – A descriptive surname referring to someone with dark hair, complexion, or clothing.

Blake – From Old English “blac” or “blaca,” meaning “dark” or “fair.”

Brown – A common surname based on a person’s complexion or hair color.

Burke – Derived from the Old French “burc,” meaning “a fortified place” or “town.”

Cameron – Of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning “crooked nose” or “bent nose.”

Campbell – A Scottish surname meaning “crooked mouth.”

Carroll – Derived from the Gaelic “Cairbre,” meaning “warrior” or “champion.”

Chapman – Occupational surname for a merchant or trader.

Clarke – Derived from the Old English “clerc,” meaning “cleric” or “clerk.”

Cole – A diminutive of the Old English name “Cola,” meaning “swarthy” or “coal-black.”

Collins – Derived from the given name “Colin,” meaning “young dog” or “pup.”

Connors – A patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic name “Conchobhar,” meaning “lover of hounds.”

Curtis – A surname derived from the Old French “curteis,” meaning “polite” or “courteous.”

Davies – A patronymic surname derived from “David,” meaning “beloved.”

Douglas – From the Scottish Gaelic “dubhglas,” meaning “dark stream.”

Evans – A patronymic surname derived from the Welsh name “Ifan,” meaning “young warrior.”

Fitzgerald – Derived from the Old French “fils de Gérald,” meaning “son of Gerald.”

Fletcher – Occupational surname for an arrow maker.

Ford – A topographical surname for someone who lived near a ford or shallow river crossing.

Foster – Derived from the Old French “foster,” meaning “forest keeper” or “woodland dweller.”

Fox – A surname that likely refers to someone who resembled a fox, either in looks or temperament.

Gibson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Gilbert,” from Old German “gisil” (pledge) and “berht” (bright).

Grant – Derived from the Old French “grand,” meaning “large” or “great.”

Green – A surname referring to someone who lived near a village green or a grassy area.

Griffiths – Derived from the Welsh personal name “Griffith,” meaning “prince” or “strong in faith.”

Harris – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Harry,” with “Harry” itself meaning “army ruler.”

Hawkins – Derived from the medieval given name “Hawkin,” meaning “little hawk.”

Hughes – A Welsh surname meaning “son of Hugh,” from the Old Germanic “hug,” meaning “heart” or “mind.”

Hunter – Occupational surname for someone who hunted game or worked as a huntsman.

Irwin – A surname of Scottish origin meaning “green” or “fresh water.”

Jackson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Jack.”

Johnson – A common patronymic surname meaning “son of John.”

Jones – A common Welsh surname meaning “son of John.”

Kennedy – Of Gaelic origin, meaning “descendant of Cinnéidigh,” meaning “helmeted chief.”

King – A surname referring to someone with royal or noble connections.

Lawrence – Derived from the Latin name “Laurentius,” meaning “from Laurentum” or “crowned with laurel.”

Lewis – A surname of Old French origin, meaning “famous warrior.”

Martin – A surname derived from the Latin “Martinus,” meaning “of Mars” or “warrior.”

Miller – Occupational surname for someone who worked in a mill.

Moore – A surname derived from the Old French “more,” meaning “dark-skinned” or “swarthy.”

Murphy – An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic “Ó Murchadha,” meaning “descendant of Murchadh,” meaning “sea warrior.”

O’Connor – An Irish surname meaning “descendant of Conchobhar,” meaning “lover of hounds.”

Parker – Occupational surname for someone who worked as a keeper of the park or a park ranger.

Taylor – Occupational surname for someone who worked as a tailor.

Patterson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Patrick.”

Pearson – Derived from the given name “Peter,” meaning “rock” or “stone.”

Phillips – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Philip,” with “Philip” meaning “lover of horses.”

Price – A Welsh surname meaning “son of Rhys,” with “Rhys” meaning “enthusiasm” or “passion.”

Richards – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Richard,” with “Richard” meaning “powerful leader.”

Robertson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Robert,” with “Robert” meaning “bright fame.”

Robinson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Robin,” derived from “Robert.”

Rogers – A surname meaning “son of Roger,” with “Roger” meaning “famous spear.”

Russell – A surname of Old French origin, meaning “red” or “little red one.”

Scott – A surname referring to someone from Scotland, meaning “a Scotsman.”

Shaw – A topographical surname for someone who lived near a small wood or grove.

Simpson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Sim,” a diminutive of Simon, meaning “he who hears.”

Sullivan – An Irish surname meaning “descendant of Súileabhán,” meaning “little dark-eyed one.”

Taylor – Occupational surname for a tailor, someone who made or altered clothing.

Thompson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Thomas,” with “Thomas” meaning “twin.”

Turner – Occupational surname for a worker who operated a lathe or turner of wood.

Wallace – A Scottish surname meaning “foreigner” or “Welshman.”

Ward – Occupational surname for a watchman or guardian.

Watson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Walter,” with “Walter” meaning “ruler of the army.”

Webb – Occupational surname for a weaver, someone who made cloth.

White – A descriptive surname referring to someone with fair skin or light-colored hair.

Wilson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Will,” with “Will” being a diminutive of William, meaning “resolute protector.”

Wood – A topographical surname for someone who lived near a forest or wooded area.

Wright – Occupational surname for a worker or craftsman, particularly a builder or carpenter.

Young – A surname for a younger person or one who was the son of a father with the same name.

Ziegler – A German surname meaning “brick maker.”

Anderson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Andrew,” with “Andrew” meaning “manly” or “brave.”

Barton – A place name surname, meaning “barley farm” or “settlement.”

Blanchard – A surname of Old French origin, meaning “white” or “fair.”

Bowen – A Welsh surname meaning “son of Owen,” with “Owen” meaning “noble” or “young warrior.”

Burgess – An occupational surname for a citizen or freeman of a town.

Burns – A surname derived from the Scottish word “burn,” meaning “stream.”

Cameron – A Scottish surname meaning “crooked nose” or “bent nose.”

Carson – A surname of Scottish origin, meaning “son of the marsh-dwellers.”

Chambers – An occupational surname for a servant or chamberlain, someone in charge of household rooms.

Chapman – Occupational surname for a merchant or trader.

Clifton – A topographical surname for someone who lived near a cliff or settlement by the river.

Connell – An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic “Ó Conghaile,” meaning “descendant of Conghal,” a warrior leader.

Craig – A surname derived from the Gaelic word “creag,” meaning “rock.”

Curtis – Derived from the Old French “curteis,” meaning “polite” or “courteous.”

Dawson – A patronymic surname meaning “son of David.”

Donovan – An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic “Ó Donndubháin,” meaning “descendant of Donndubhán,” meaning “dark or brown warrior.”

Ferguson – A Scottish surname meaning “son of Fergus,” with “Fergus” meaning “man of strength.”

Freeman – A surname denoting someone who was free, as opposed to a serf.

Granger – Occupational surname for a farm manager, someone in charge of grain storage.

Hardy – A surname meaning “brave” or “strong,” often a reference to someone resilient.

Harrison – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Harry,” with “Harry” meaning “army ruler.”

Hewitt – A surname derived from the Old English personal name “Hew,” meaning “heart” or “mind.”

Hodges – A patronymic surname meaning “son of Roger.”

Holland – A geographical surname referring to someone from the region of Holland or “hollow land.”

Abernethy – Scottish locational surname from a riverside settlement.

Ashcroft – English locational name meaning “dweller by the ash trees.”

Ballantyne – Scottish surname meaning “settlement of the church.”

Barraclough – English locational surname meaning “wooded ravine.”

Baxendale – English locational name meaning “valley of the baxa people.”

Bellringer – Occupational surname for a church bell ringer.

Birkett – English locational surname meaning “birch tree clearing.”

Blackwood – Locational surname meaning “dark forest.”

Blaxland – English locational surname meaning “dark land.”

Bramwell – English surname meaning “bramble spring.”

Calderwood – Scottish locational surname meaning “wood by rough waters.”

Chamberlayne – Occupational surname meaning “household official.”

Chatfield – English locational surname meaning “field near a track.”

Clutterbuck – English nickname surname meaning “noisy talker.”

Colthurst – English locational surname meaning “coal hill.”

Copplestone – English locational surname meaning “stone by the hilltop.”

Crompton – English locational surname meaning “crooked settlement.”

Daintree – English locational surname meaning “tree on the slope.”

Drayton – English locational surname meaning “farmstead on a track.”

Eddington – English locational surname meaning “settlement of Edda.”

Etherington – English locational surname meaning “estate by the river.”

Featherstone – English locational surname meaning “stone by the marsh.”

Fetherstonhaugh – English locational surname meaning “enclosed hill land.”

Gainsborough – English locational surname meaning “fortified hill settlement.”

Gillingham – English locational surname meaning “homestead of Gilla.”

Grinstead – English locational surname meaning “green wooded place.”

Hammersley – English locational surname meaning “meadow by a hammer-shaped hill.”

Hatherley – English locational surname meaning “heather clearing.”

Hollingworth – English locational surname meaning “farm among holly trees.”

Ingledew – Old English surname meaning “servant of the English.”

Ketteridge – English locational surname meaning “ridge of the people.”

Kynaston – English locational surname meaning “royal settlement.”

Lanchester – English locational surname meaning “Roman camp settlement.”

Langstroth – Germanic locational surname meaning “long settlement.”

Lansbury – English locational surname meaning “fortified town.”

Molesworth – English locational surname meaning “enclosed farm by hills.”

Moncrieff – Scottish locational surname meaning “hill of the tree.”

Mountjoy – Norman surname meaning “mountain of joy.”

Nethercote – English locational surname meaning “lower cottage.”

Pakenham – English locational surname meaning “homestead of Pacca.”

Penlington – English locational surname meaning “settlement by the hill.”

Quarryman – Occupational surname meaning “stone worker.”

Radcliffe – English locational surname meaning “red cliff.”

Ravenshaw – English locational surname meaning “raven wood.”

Redmayne – English locational surname meaning “boundary stone.”

Rivington – English locational surname meaning “rough hill settlement.”

Rotherham – English locational surname meaning “homestead by cattle river.”

Sedgwick – English locational surname meaning “sedge marsh farm.”

Shackleton – English locational surname meaning “settlement near the shack.”

Somerfield – English locational surname meaning “summer grazing land.”

Southwell – English locational surname meaning “southern spring.”

Standish – English locational surname meaning “stone pasture.”

Stoneman – Occupational surname meaning “stone cutter or mason.”

Strathmore – Scottish locational surname meaning “great valley.”

Swainson – Patronymic surname meaning “son of the herdsman.”

Tenterfield – English locational surname meaning “field for cloth stretching.”

Threlfall – English locational surname meaning “thrall’s waterfall.”

Thurstan – Old Norse personal name meaning “Thor’s stone.”

Tolhurst – English locational surname meaning “wooded hill.”

Trevelyan – Cornish surname meaning “homestead by the mill.”

Trelawney – Cornish locational surname meaning “church settlement.”

Vandeleur – Norman-French surname meaning “from the valley.”

Waddington – English locational surname meaning “estate of Wada.”

Wainwright – Occupational surname meaning “wagon builder.”

Wakefield – English locational surname meaning “field by a watch.”

Walmsley – English locational surname meaning “pool by the hill.”

Waterhouse – English locational surname meaning “house by the water.”

Weatherall – Descriptive surname meaning “weather-beaten slope.”

Wetherby – English locational surname meaning “sheep farm.”

Whitcombe – English locational surname meaning “white valley.”

Winterton – English locational surname meaning “winter settlement.”

Witheridge – English locational surname meaning “willow ridge.”

Wooldridge – English locational surname meaning “ridge near sheep land.”

Yardley – English locational surname meaning “enclosed meadow.”

Yelverton – English locational surname meaning “farm of the yellow land.”

Ashenden – English locational surname meaning “valley of ash trees.”

Bartholomewson – Patronymic surname meaning “son of Bartholomew.”

Chillingworth – English locational surname meaning “settlement of Ceola.”

Dunsford – English locational surname meaning “hill ford.”

Hethersett – English locational surname meaning “heather enclosure.”

Kingsnorth – English locational surname meaning “northern royal land.”

Marshfield – English locational surname meaning “field by marsh.”

Nettleford – English locational surname meaning “ford near nettles.”

Oakenshaw – English locational surname meaning “oak wood.”

Pillingworth – English locational surname meaning “settlement by the stream.”

Ravenscroft – English locational surname meaning “raven enclosure.”

Silverwood – English locational surname meaning “bright forest.”

Stonebridge – English locational surname meaning “stone crossing.”

Underhill – English locational surname meaning “dweller beneath the hill.”

Waverley – English locational surname meaning “meadow by the river.”

Westerdale – English locational surname meaning “western valley.”

Whittingham – English locational surname meaning “estate of white land.”

Wickhamford – English locational surname meaning “village by the ford.”

Windermere – English locational surname meaning “lake of the winds.”

Woodthorpe – English locational surname meaning “forest village.”

Yarborough – English locational surname meaning “earthen fort.”

Yardington – English locational surname meaning “farm by enclosure.”

Younghusband – Medieval descriptive surname meaning “youthful servant.”

Zouch – Norman locational surname meaning “from the rocks.”

Ashby-de-la-Zouch – English-Norman locational surname meaning “ash farm of Zouch.”