Scottish surnames or last names come from a variety of backgrounds and can be easily identified.
Scottish surnames or last names began to be used sometimes during the 10th and 12th centuries after the Normans brought them to Scotland in 1066. The use of these names became more common from the 18th to the 19th centuries. Scottish surnames have various origins, including ethnic, habitational, topographical, occupational, and patronymic backgrounds. Patronymic means a name passed down from a father or male ancestor. Some of these surnames are believed to belong to clans of influential Scottish families who once controlled the land. The list of these Scottish surnames or last names can be found in the National Records of Scotland, which is managed by the Scottish government. In this post, we have compiled a list of the most popular Scottish surnames or last names and their meanings.
Famous Scottish Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings
- Abercrombie
This Scottish surname comes from Abercrombie, a location in Fife, Scotland. Abercrombie means ‘where rivers meet at a bend’ or ‘the mouth of a curving river.’
- Aitken
Aitken is a common Scottish surname that comes from the name Adam, which has a patronymic origin. Adam is a Hebrew word that means ‘man.’
- Alexander
Alexander is a common Scottish surname in Scotland, Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany. The last name means ‘protector/defender of mankind’ and comes from the Greek word ‘Alexandros,’ which means to protect or defend man.
- Allan/Allen
The Scottish surname probably originates from the Old Gaelic term for ‘rock,’ which is ‘ail.’ ‘Allan’ or ‘Allen’ is believed to mean ‘little rock.’ It is also thought to have a meaning of ‘handsome.’
- Anderson
Anderson is a Scottish last name that comes from the name Andrew and means ‘son of Andrew.’ Andrew comes from the Greek name Andreas, which means ‘manly’ or ‘masculine.’
- Archie
Archie is a shortened Scottish surname of the name ‘Archibald,’ which can mean either ‘holy prince’ or ‘bold prince.’
- Arthur
The Scottish surname comes from ancient Celtic words that mean ‘bear’ and ‘king.’ It probably described a powerful king or a man who was as strong as a bear.
- Auchter
Auchter is a Scottish last name that comes from several places called Auchter in Scotland. It could also come from the Gaelic word ‘uachdar’ which means ‘upland’.
- Barclay
The Scottish last name Barclay comes from Old English and means ‘birch wood.’ It could also indicate someone from a town called Berkeley in Gloucestershire, England.
- Bell
The Scottish surname Bell comes from the Middle English word for bell. It was a common last name for people who worked as bell-ringers or made bells. Another possibility is that it was used as a nickname for someone who lived close to the town bell.
- Black
The Scottish surname Black comes from Middle English. It was probably used to describe people with dark skin or dark hair. It might have also been a name for people who made black dye.
- Blackwood
Blackwood is a Scottish last name that comes from Scotland and England. It is used for people from different places called Blackwood in Scotland. The last name comes from the Old English term ‘blake wudu’ which means ‘dark wood.’
- Boyce
The Scottish surname comes from the Old French word ‘bois,’ meaning ‘wood.’ It is believed to be a name given to someone who lived close to a forest.
- Bran
The Scottish last name Bran originates from the Gaelic term ‘bran’ which refers to a type of bird called a ‘raven.’
- Braid
The Scottish surname comes from people who originally came from a place called Braid in South Edinburgh, Scotland.
- Brown
Brown is a common Scottish last name in Scotland and England. It was probably originally used to describe someone with dark reddish skin or brown hair.
- Burns
This Scottish surname is based on where a person lives near a stream. It comes from the Old English word ‘burne’ which means ‘stream.’
- Butchart
Butchart is an Anglo-Saxon Scottish last name that comes from the name ‘Burgheard,’ which means ‘brave fortress’ in Old English.
- Cameron
The Scottish surname Cameron comes from the Gaelic words ‘cam sron,’ which means ‘crooked nose.’ This name likely originated as a nickname for someone with a crooked or broken nose.
- Campbell
The Scottish surname comes from the Gaelic words ‘cam beul,’ which translates to ‘crooked mouth.’ It is believed that this name was originally used as a nickname for someone who had a twisted or crooked mouth.
- Cairns
The Scottish surname comes from Gaelic and means cairn, which is a pile of stones used as a marker or memorial. This name is given to people who lived near a cairn.
- Christie
The Scottish surname Christie is a patronymic name that means ‘son of Christopher’ or ‘Christ bearer.’
- Craig
The Scottish surname Craig comes from the Gaelic word ‘creag’ which means ‘crag’ or ‘rock.’ It is likely that the name was given to people who lived near a rocky hill.
- Crawford
The origin of the Scottish surname Crawford can be traced back to Old English words ‘crawa’ which means ‘crow’ and ‘ford’ which means ‘river crossing.’ This name is also a toponym, meaning it refers to someone from one of the many places known as Crawford in Scotland and England.
- Cunningham
The Scottish surname Cunningham comes from an old place in Scotland. It probably comes from the Gaelic word ‘cuinneag’ which means ‘milk pail.’
- Davidson
Davidson is a Scottish last name that means ‘son of David.’ in Hebrew, the name David means ‘beloved,’ so Davidson could also be interpreted as ‘beloved son.’
- Dickson
This Scottish surname comes from a patronymic tradition. The last name Dickson is a nickname for Richard, which translates to ‘courageous leader.’
- Docherty
It is the Scottish version of the Irish last name Doherty. The last name Doherty probably originates from the Gaelic term ‘Dochartach’ which means ‘stern’ or ‘hurtful.’ It was most likely used as a nickname.
- Donaldson
A patronymic Scottish surname is a name that means ‘son of Donald.’ The name Donald originates from an Old Gaelic name, ‘Domhnall,’ which means ‘ruler of the world.’
- Duncan
The Scottish surname Duncan is a name that comes from Ireland and Scotland.
- Dunsmore
The Scottish surname comes from a place in Scotland called Dunsmore or Dundemore, that not many people remember now.
- Elgin
The Scottish surname Elgin is based on the location in Moray, Scotland where a person may have originally come from.
- Falconer/Faulkner
The Scottish surname comes from Middle English and it means ‘falcon-keeper.’ This last name comes from a person’s occupation, indicating they owned and trained falcons.
- Falla
The Scottish surname Fala is used to describe someone who comes from a town called Fala in Scotland’s Midlothian council area.
- Ferguson
The Scottish surname Ferguson comes from the Gaelic word ‘Fearghas’ and means ‘son of Fergus.’ Fergus is made up of the Gaelic words ‘fear’ for ‘man’ and ‘gus’ for ‘vigor.’
- Findlay
This Scottish surname is a version of the ancient Gaelic name Fionnlagh, made up of the Gaelic words ‘fionn’ which means white or fair and ‘laogh’ meaning warrior or hero. Therefore, the last name originally described a warrior with fair skin.
- Fowler
This Scottish surname comes from a person who used to take care of birds or catch birds. This last name probably comes from the Old English word ‘fugelere,’ which means birdcatcher.
- Forbes
The Scottish surname Forbes comes from a place near Aberdeen in Scotland. It means ‘field’ in Gaelic.
- Gibson
The name is a surname that translates to ‘son of Gib.’ Gib is a nickname for the name Gilbert, which originated from Old German and means ‘bright pledge.’
- Gilchrist
The origin of this Scottish surname comes from the Old Gaelic phrase ‘giolla Chriost’ which translates to ‘servant of Christ.’
- Gilmore
In Scotland, Gilmore is a shorter version of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Gille Mhoire,’ or ‘Mac Giolla Mhuire,’ which translates to ‘servant of (the Virgin) Mary.’
- Gordon
Gordon is a Scottish surname that comes from a place in Scotland called Gordon in the Berwickshire region. The last name Gordon is derived from Welsh words meaning large or spacious and fort.
- Gray
The Scottish surname probably originated from English and was given as a nickname to people with grey facial hair, hair, or clothes.
- Graham
The Scottish surname Grantham comes from Old English and means ‘gravelly homestead.’ It is a toponymic name that refers to someone who originally belonged to a place called Grantham in England.
- Grant
The Scottish surname Grant probably comes from the Norman-French word ‘graunt’ or ‘graund,’ which means big or tall. The last name was likely given as a nickname to someone who was either big in size or tall in height.
- Hamilton
The Scottish surname Hamilton comes from the UK and relates to people from various places named Hamilton. It originates from Old English words ‘hamel’ for ‘crooked’ and ‘dun’ for ‘hill.’
- Henderson
The Scottish surname means ‘son of Hendry or Henry.’ The name Hendry or Henry is derived from an Old German name ‘Heimirich’ which means ‘ruler of the home.’
- Hill
The Scottish last name comes from a place and was used for people who lived near or on a hill.
- Hughes
The Scottish surname Hughes originates from an Old Anglo-Norman name ‘Hug,’ meaning ‘heart,’ ‘mind,’ or ‘spirit.’
- Innes
Innes is a Scottish surname based on a location in Scotland called Moray, specifically from a clan named Innes. The name Innes comes from the Gaelic word ‘inis,’ meaning ‘island.’
- Jamieson
The Scottish surname signifies being the son of James. The name James is derived from the Hebrew name ‘Yaaqov,’ which means the supplanter or substitute.
- Jack
It is a version of the Scottish surname John from the medieval time, derived from the Hebrew name ‘Yochanan’ which means ‘God is gracious.’
- Johnston
The Scottish surname Johnstone is used to describe someone who is from a place called Johnstone in Scotland. It comes from the words ‘John’ which means someone named John, and ‘toun’ which means ‘town’ in Middle English.
- Jones
This Scottish surname is an ancient version of John. John comes from the Hebrew name ‘Yochanan’ which means ‘God is gracious.’
- Kendrick
This Scottish surname is a shorter version of McKendrick, which is an English version of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Eanraig’ that means ‘son of Henry.’ Henry is derived from the Old German name Heimirich, which means ‘ruler of the home.’
- Kerr
This Scottish surname comes from a Scottish Gaelic word that means ‘wet and rough ground.’ This last name was likely given to people who lived near an area with consistently wet ground.
- Kelly
Kelly is a Scottish surname used to describe someone from certain places in Scotland. The name comes from the word ‘coille’ in the Cornish language, which means a ‘grove.’
- Kenneth
This Scottish last name comes from the Gaelic name ‘Coinneach’ which means ‘handsome.’
- Lawson
This Scottish last name is derived from a Roman name ‘Laurentius’ which means ‘from Laurentum’, an ancient city in Italy. It is a patronymic name meaning ‘son of Laurence’.
- Leishman
This Scottish surname means someone who serves Leish. The name Leish comes from the name Gillis, which is a shorter version of the Gaelic name Mac Gille Iosa, meaning the son of the servant of Jesus.
- MacDonald/McDonald
It’s a name that means ‘son of Donald.’ The name Donald originates from the Gaelic ‘Domhnall’ which means ‘ruler of the world.’
- Mackay
The Scottish surname Mackay is commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It comes from the Gaelic name ‘Mac Aodha’ which means ‘son of Aodh.’ The name ‘Aodha’ or ‘Aodh’ has its roots in Old Gaelic and translates to fire.
- Marshal
This Scottish surname comes from the Old English term ‘mareschal,’ which is a combination of the Old German words ‘marah’ for ‘horse’ and ‘scalc’ for ‘servant.’ Marshal was probably used as a title for someone who owned stables or had a passion for horses.
- Martin
The Scottish last name Martin comes from the Latin name ‘Martinus,’ which is linked to ‘Martis,’ the Roman God of ‘Mars.’
- McGregor
The name ‘Mac Griogair’ comes from Gaelic and means ‘son of Griogar.’ ‘Griogar’ is based on the name ‘Gregory,’ which has its roots in the Old Greek name ‘Gregoros’ meaning ‘watchful’ or ‘alert.’
- McIntyre
The Scottish surname McIntyre comes from a Gaelic name, ‘Mac an tSaoir,’ which translates to ‘son of a craftsman.’
- McIntosh
The Anglicized form of the Gaelic name ‘Mac an Toisich’ translates to ‘son of the chief.’
- McKenzie
The Scottish last name comes from the Gaelic surname ‘MacCoinnich’ which means ‘son of Coinneach.’ Coinneach is derived from the Old Gaelic term ‘caoin’ which means ‘handsome.’
- McLean
McLean is a way of spelling the Gaelic name ‘Mac Giolla Eoin’ which means ‘son of the servant of Eoin.’ Eoin is another way of saying John, which originates from the Hebrew name ‘Yochanan’ that means ‘God is gracious.’
- McLeod
It is derived from the Gaelic surname ‘Mac Leoid,’ which translates to ‘son of Leod.’ The name Leod originated from the Old Norse name ‘Ljotr,’ which means ‘ugly.”
- McMillan
The Scottish surname McMillan comes from the Gaelic name ‘Mac Maolain,’ which is a name based on lineage derived from the nickname ‘Maolan.’ This nickname comes from the Gaelic word ‘maol’ which means bald.
- Millar
It is a different version of the Scottish surname Miller, which originally came from people who worked at a mill or were in charge of running a mill.
- Miller
The Scottish surname Miller is a name that comes from someone who used to work as a grinder of grains in a mill for a living.
- Milne
The Scottish surname Milne comes from the word ‘milne’ in Middle English, which means a mill. This last name comes from a person who worked as a miller.
- Mitchell
The Scottish last name comes from the first name Michel, which is a casual version of Michael. Michael comes from the Hebrew name ‘Mikhael,’ which translates to ‘who is like God.’
- Morrison
Morris is another form of the Scottish surname Maurice, which originates from the Old Latin name ‘Maurus’ used to describe someone with dark skin or a tanned complexion.
- Murray
Murray is a Scottish surname that comes from a place in Scotland called Moray. Moray is derived from a Celtic word meaning ‘sea settlement.’
- Muir
The Scottish surname Muir comes from the Middle English word ‘More’ which described a wetland or open area of land. It is a last name that indicates someone lived near or on a moor.
- Murphy
The Scottish last name Murphy comes from the Gaelic words ‘O Murchadha’ or ‘Mac Murchadha,’ which both come from the term ‘murcadh,’ meaning ‘sea warrior.’
- Napier
The Scottish surname comes from Middle English and means ‘cloth keeper’ or ‘linen keeper’. This last name originates from the Old French word ‘nappe’ which refers to a table cloth.
- Owen
The name ‘Mac Eoghain’ comes from Gaelic and means ‘son of Eoghain’. Eoghain is probably a variation of the name Eugene, which has roots in the Greek name ‘Eugenes’ meaning ‘well-born’.
- Paterson
It’s a Scottish last name that means ‘son of Patrick.’ The name Patrick comes from an Old Latin name, Patricius, which means a ‘nobleman.’
- Reilly
The Scottish surname ‘O Reilly’ is a shorter version of the Gaelic name ‘O Raghailligh,’ which means ‘descendant of Raghailleach.’ Raghailleach is believed to have originated from Ireland.
- Robertson
The name ‘Robert’ means ‘son of Robert,’ which originates from the Old German name ‘Hrodebert’ meaning ‘bright fame,’ a reference to someone who was well-known or celebrated.
- Ross
The Scottish surname Ross comes from the Gaelic word ‘ros,’ which means a headland or rock sticking out into the sea beyond the coast.
- Ritchie
Ritchie is a Scottish surname for the name ‘Richard,’ which originates from Old German and translates to ‘brave ruler.’
- Russel
The Scottish surname Russel comes from ‘Rousel,’ a nickname in Anglo-Norman French for someone with red hair or a rosy complexion.
- Shaw
The Scottish surname probably came from the Gaelic term ‘sithech’ which translates to ‘wolf’.
- Simpson
The Scottish surname is a shortened version of Simon, which is derived from the Hebrew name Shimon meaning ‘he has heard.’
- Sinclair
This Scottish last name comes from the town of Saint Clair in France, most likely given to people who lived there. The name Clair is derived from the Latin word ‘Clarus,’ which can mean ‘pure,’ ‘renowned,’ or ‘illustrious.’
- Taylor
The Scottish last name comes from the Old French word ‘tailleur,’ which means tailor. This last name is given to people who used to work as tailors.
- Thomson/Thompson
Son of Thomas means that someone is the child of a man named Thomas. The name Thomas originated from the Old Greek name ‘Taoma’ which means ‘twin’.
- Walker
Originally from Scotland and England, the Scottish last name ‘Walker’ comes from a person’s job as a fuller, which is someone who works with fabrics to make clothes.’
- Watson
It is a Scottish last name showing lineage, meaning ‘son of Walter.’ The last name Walter originates from Old German and means ‘leader of the army.’
- Watt
The Scottish surname Watt comes from the Middle English name Wat or Watt, which is a short form of the name Walter. Walter is of Old German origin and it means ‘leader of the army.’
- White
The Scottish surname comes from the word ‘whit’ in Middle English, which means white. This last name likely was given to someone with a light skin tone or white hair as a term of endearment.
- Wilson
This Scottish surname means someone who is the son of a person named William. The name William itself originated from an Old German name ‘Willahelm’ which meant someone who is protective and courageous.
- Williamson
This Scottish surname signifies ‘son of William’. The name William originates from the Old German name ‘Willahelm’, which means ‘determined protector’.
- Wood
The Scottish surname Wood has its origins in Old English and was given to people who lived near a forest or wood. It could also be used as a surname for those who worked as woodcutters.
- Wright
The Scottish surname is derived from the old English word ‘wryhta’, meaning craftsman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scottish surname or last names have an interesting historical background. Some surname or last names like Auchter, Craig, Elgin, Innes, and Wood come from specific places, while others like Watson, Paterson, McMillan, and Ferguson are passed down from male ancestors. Some Scottish surname or last names may also come from the occupations of ancestry, like Bell, Faulkner, Miller, Taylor, or Wright. These surnames are actually anglicized versions of Gaelic last names. Some last names are for only one gender, while others can be used for both males and females.
