Surname profile
López
The surname López is a Spanish patronymic derived from the personal name Lope, meaning ‘wolf’ in Latin. Its origin is Iberian, spread across Spain and the Americas, but…
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How family names were formed
Patronymic surnames
Names passed down from a father's given name. Explore how patronymic surnames took shape across languages and generations, with profiles and sources for further research.
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49surname profiles to explore
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Showing 25–36 of 49 profiles
- Surname profile
MacDonald
The surname MacDonald (and its variant McDonald) is a patronymic name meaning "son of Dòmhnall", originating in Scottish and Irish Gaelic. It derives from the personal name Donald,…
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Mackenzie
The Mackenzie surname originates from Scotland, derived from the Gaelic Mac Coinnich meaning "son of Coinneach"—a personal name meaning "comely" or "handsome." It is a patronymic surname with…
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Martin
The surname Martin derives from the Latin name Martinus, meaning ‘of Mars’ or ‘warlike’, with additional Gaelic patronymic forms in Scotland. It has multiple independent origins and is…
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Martínez
Martínez is a Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Martín"; it originates from the Latin personal name Martinus. The name spread widely in Spanish‑speaking regions and appears in…
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McCarthy
McCarthy is an Irish patronymic surname meaning "son of Cárthach" and historically linked to the powerful MacCarthy clan of County Cork. The name has multiple spelling variants but…
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Meredith
Meredith is a Welsh surname derived from the personal name Meredydd (Old Welsh Morgetiud). The name is patronymic, meaning it comes from a male ancestor's given name. The…
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Morgan
The surname Morgan is of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name Morcant. In Ireland it also appears as an anglicised form of Ó Muireagáin, meaning "descendant of…
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Murphy
The surname Murphy is of Irish origin, derived from the personal name Murchadh meaning ‘sea warrior’ or ‘sea-battler’. It is a patronymic surname that has evolved through several…
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Murray
The surname Murray has two documented origins: a Scottish locational form derived from the district of Moray, and an Irish patronymic form meaning "descendant of Muireadhach" or "servant…
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Nielsen
The surname Nielsen is a Danish patronymic meaning "son of Niels." It is the most common surname in Denmark, comprising about 4 % of the population. While many Nielsens…
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O'Brien
The surname O’Brien is an Irish patronymic meaning “descendant of Brian.” It originated from the Gaelic Ó Briain, linked to the powerful medieval dynasty of Thomond and King…
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This directory includes published profiles. Review status is shown on each card. A surname may belong to more than one origin or formation type.