Family History Resources C Surnames Origins & Meanings

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Many surnames are associated with the place/locality of where the family lived and in those cases the location is noted as the meaning.
Many surnames are associated with the occupation of the person given the name.

Surname Origin Meaning Cabbell French Cabel Cabel French Cabel Cabell French Cabeau Cable French Cabeau Cad Gaelic-Welsh War Cadbury English burh, a fortified place Cadby Scandinavian Cada's settlement, farm Cadd Welsh War Caddick Caddock Caddie Scottish younger brother Caddock Welsh cadoc, cattwg, &c -cad, battle, war + awg, keenness Caddow English Jack-daw Caddy Scottish younger brother Cade barrel or cask Cadell Welsh Warlike Cader Welsh A keep, fortress, or strong-hold Cadick Welsh cadoc, cattwg, &c -cad, battle, war + awg, keenness Cadle Welsh Warlike Cadman English Anglican personal name Cadmon, Cedmon Cadogan Welsh cad, battle, and gwg, fierce Cadwallader Welsh cad, battle, and gwaladr, a leader Cadwallider Welsh cad, battle, and gwaladr, a leader Cadwell Locality A village in South Wales; written Cydwell Cady Gaelic Ca-dia, the house of God Caesar Latin caesariatus, long-haired Caeth Welsh A captive Caffan Anglo-French-Latin Bald Caffery Celtic MacGafraidh Caffin Anglo-French-Latin Bald Caffrey Celtic MacGafraidh Caffrie Celtic MacGafraidh Caffyn Anglo-French-Latin Bald Cahill Celtic Descendant of Cathal = Warrior Caig Keig Cain Gaelic-Welsh Chaste, beloved, fair, beautiful Caine Celtic Fair; Bright Caines Caine's son Cains Caine's son Caird Celtic Smith, Tinker Cairn Cornish-British A circular mound of stones Cairthness Celtic-Scandinavian The headland of Caith Caithness Celtic-Scandinavian The headland of Caith Cakebread English a maker of rolls Calcott English Calcutt Calcraft English Cold Croft Calcutt English Calcott Caldbeck English-Scandinavian Cold stream Caldecote Welsh Colcoit, the neck of the wood Caldecott English Cold Cot cottage Caldecourt English Cold Cot cottage Caldecutt English Cold Cot cottage Calder Gaelic Calduor, and Welsh, the water that incloses or shuts in Calderbank English Calduor, and Welsh, the water that incloses or shuts in. This is an English topographic name for someone who lived on the bank of one of the rivers Calder, which are in Cumbria, Lancashire and West Yorkshire. The river got its name ultimately from the Welsh 'caled', harsh or violent, and 'dwfr' stream. The element of 'bank' in the surname is from Middle English 'banke', from the Old Norse 'bakke'. Calderwood Locality The wood on the river Calder Caldicot Welsh Colcoit, the neck of the wood Caldicott Welsh Colcoit, the neck of the wood Caldwell Locality Cold-well, a cold spring Cale Celtic Thin, Slender Caley Celtic Thin, Slender Calf English a nickname Calfe English a nickname Calhoun Colquhoun Call Welsh Prudent, discerning, cunning trickish Callagan Celtic War; Warrior Callaghan Celtic-Gaelic Ciallach, prudent, judicious, discreet Callahan Irish descendant of Ceallachán Callan Celtic MacAllan Calland Scottish Gallant Callander French calandre Callard French Caillard Callaway Anglo-Saxon Calwig wig, war, battle Callcott English Calcott Callcut English Calcott Callen MacAllen Callender French calandre Calley Kelly Callie Kelly Callingham English Estate of the Calla Family Callis Anglo-French-Celtic Calais Calliss Anglo-French-Celtic Calesium Callister MacAllister Callow English Bald Calloway English Calwig wig, war, battle Calman English bald Calpin Calthorpe Calthorp English Calla's Estate or Village Calthorpe English Calla's Estate or Village Calthrop English Calla's Estate or Village Calveley English Calf-Lea Calver English Calf-Herd Calverd English Calf-Herd Calverley English Calf-Lea Calvert English Calf-Herd Calvin French-Latin Bald Cam Gaelic-Welsh Crooked, winding Cambden English camp, a battle, war and denu, a valley Cambridge English Grantabrycg = the Bridge Over the Granta Camden English camp, a battle, war and denu, a valley Cameron Scottish Cam, crooked, and sron, nose Camlin Celtic cam, crooked + linn, pool Camm Celtic Crooked, Deformed, One-eyed Cammell Anglo-French-Hebrew Camel Camp French-Latin camp or field Campbell Celtic-Gaelic cam, crooked, distorted, and beul, the mouth Campion Champion Camplin Anglo-French Camlin Campling Anglo-French Camlin Camps Camp Camus Gaelic A bay, a creek, a harbor Can Gaelic Clear, white, fair, and hence, beloved, dear Canavan Celtic Black Head Cancellor Anglo-French-Latin Chancellor Candler Anglo-French-Latin Candle Maker Candlin Anglo-French Candelin for Gandelin Candy Gandy Caney Cane Canham English Cana's Home Cann Gaelic Ceann and Kin Cannall Manx Connell Cannan Cannon Cannell Manx Connell Canney Caney Canning Saxon Cyning, a leader, a king Cannings Canning's Son Cannington English the Estate of the Cana Family Cannons Cannon's Son Canon Welsh The river Taf or the singing river Cant Celtic Kent Canter Anglo-French Singer, Chanter Cantlay English Cantley = Canta's Lea Cantley English Cantley = Canta's Lea Cantlie English Cantley = Canta's Lea Canton English Cana's Estate Cantor Anglo-French Singer, Chanter Cantrell Anglo-French Little Singer, Chanter Cantrill Anglo-French Little Singer, Chanter Canty Scottish Cheerful, Lively, Brisk Cape Anglo-Saxon Headland Capel a strong horse Capell French-Latin Horse Capes Cape's Son Caplan Chaplin Caplin Chaplin Capon Anglo-Latin Cock Capp Anglo-French caeppe, a hood, cowl, cap Capper Anglo-Latin Cap-Maker Capps Capp's Son Capron Anglo-French capron, caperon / chaperon, originally a kind of hood or cowl Capstick English Cap on a Stick Caractacus Gaelic Caer, a castle or city; eacht, an exploit, and cios, a tribute, expressive of his abilities in conducting an offensive, as well as a defensive war Carberry Celtic Charioteer Carbery Celtic Charioteer Carbry Celtic Charioteer Carbury Celtic Charioteer Carbutt Garbutt Card Gaelic Ceairde, Gaelic, a tradesman Carden Locality the manor of Cawarden or Carden, near Chester, in England Carder Anglo-French Wool-Comber Cardew Welsh caer, a fort + du, black Cardiff Welsh Caerdydd - caer, a fort Cardwell Anglo-French Thistly Estate Care Carr or Kerr Carefull English Sorrowful, Anxious Careless English Cheerful, Marry Carew Welsh Caer, castle or fort, and ew, water Carey the manor of Cary or Kari, as spelled in the Doomsday Book, in the parish of St. Giles, near Launceston, England Cargill Celtic White Fort Carl English-Scandinavian Husbandman, Rustic, Churl Carlan Irish Carolan Carle English-Scandinavian Husbandman, Rustic, Churl Carleton Northern-English Carls' or Churls' Place Carlile Celtic caer, a fort Carlin Irish Carolan Carline Irish Carolan Carling Irish Carolan Carlish Anglo-Scottish Churlish Carlisle Celtic caer, a fort Carlow Celtic Quadruple Lake Cetherloch - cether, four; loch, lake Carlton Northern-English Carls' or Churls' Place Carlyle Celtic caer, a fort Carlyon Celtic the Fort of the Legion Carman Anglo-French Cart Driver Carmichael Locality The castle or stronghold of Michael, from caer, a castle or fortified place Carmode Manx Mac Diarmid Carmody Manx Mac Diarmid Carn Celtic a Cairn Carnaby Celtic-Scandinavian Cairn-Settlement Carne Welsh a heap of stones Carnegie Celtic the Fort of the Gap Carnes Welsh a heap of stones Carney Celtic Warrior, Soldier Carnie Celtic Warrior, Soldier Carnigan Gaelic Carneach signifies a Druid or priest Carolan Carroll, with the diminutive suffix -an Carollan Carroll, with the diminutive suffix -an Carpmael Cartmel Carpmile Cartmel Carr Celtic caer, a fort Carrey the manor of Cary or Kari, as spelled in the Doomsday Book, in the parish of St. Giles, near Launceston, England Carrick Celtic a Crag, Rock Carrie the manor of Cary or Kari, as spelled in the Doomsday Book, in the parish of St. Giles, near Launceston, England Carrier French-Latin Quarryman Carrington English the Estate of the Car Family Carroll Irish descendant of Cearbhall Carrollan Carroll, with the diminutive suffix -an Carrothers Celtic Stronghold of Ruther Carruthers Celtic Stronghold of Ruther Carse Anglo-Scottish Dweller at the Carrs, i.e., Marshes or Mosses Carsley English Car's Lea Carson son of Car Carstairs Scottish Terras's Castle Carswell English caerse, cress + wiell / wiella, a spring Carter one who drives a cart Carteret Gaelic-Welsh town of the castle Cartey MacCarty Carthew Celtic Cardew Carthy MacCarthy Cartie MacCarty Cartland Gaelic caraid, a pair of streams Cartledge English Cart-Lake Cartlidge English Cart-Lake Cartmail Scandinavian Cart-Sandbank Cartmale Scandinavian Cart-Sandbank Cartmall Scandinavian Cart-Sandbank Cartmel Scandinavian Cart-Sandbank Cartmell Scandinavian Cart-Sandbank Cartret Gaelic-Welsh town of the castle Carttar Carter Cartwright English Cart-Maker Carty MacCarty Carus Scandinavian Carr-House Carvell Anglo-French Carville Carver English Sculptor, Wood-Carver Carvey Celtic Cearrbhach, Gambler, Gamester Carvill Anglo-French Carville Carwin Cornish-British caer, a castle, and win or gwin, white Cary Locality the manor of Cary or Kari, as spelled in the Doomsday Book, in the parish of St. Giles, near Launceston, England Case French A hut, a hovel Casey Celtic Brave Cash French casse, a case Cashel Celtic-Latin Cashell = the Castle Cashell Celtic-Latin Castle Cashen Celtic Crooked Cashin Celtic Crooked Cashlin Celtic Little Castle Cashman English Cashier Caslin Celtic Little Castle Cason Case's Son Cass Gaelic to thwart, oppose Cassady Cassidy Cassal Castle Casse Anglo-French cass-us, vain Cassel Castle Cassell Castle Cassidy Gaelic casaideach, apt to complain or accuse Cassin Celtic Crooked Casson Cass's Son Cassy Celtic Brave Castell Castle Castellan Anglo-French-Latin Castle-Governor Caster Anglo-Latin Roman Station Casterton Anglo-Latin the Farm or Estate By The Roman Camp Castillo Spanish Castle Castle Anglo-Latin Dweller at the Castle Castleman Anglo-Latin Castle-Warder Castlereagh Celtic-Latin Grey Castle Castles Castle Caston English Cate's Estate Castro Spanish Castle Catchpole Anglo-French-Latin Constable Cate French-Latin Cato Cater Anglo-French-Latin Caterer, Purveyor Caterson Cater's Son Cates Cate's Son Catesby Scandinavian Cate's Estate Cathcart Gaelic Caeth-Cart, from caeth, a strait, the river here running in a narrow channel Catherall English Cathere's Hall Catherwood Gaelic Cathar, soft, boggy ground; or the fortified place in a wood Cathrall English Cathere's Hall Catlin Anglo-French-Latin Catelin Catling Catlin Cato Latin Sagacious Caton French-Latin Cato Cator Anglo-French-Latin Caterer, Purveyor Catt English Cat Cattell French Castle Catterall English Cathere's Hall Cattermole Dutch-Flemish local name Cattermoul Dutch-Flemish local name Catterson Cater's Son Cattle French Castle Cattley English Catta's Lea Cattlow Catta's Tumulus, hlaew burial mound, hill Catto English Cat-Hill Catton English Catta's Estate Cattrall English Cathere's Hall Cattrell English Cathere's Hall Cattroll English Cathere's Hall Caudell Locality cold spring Caudery French-Latin coudraie = Hazel-Grove Caudle Locality cold spring Caudwell Locality cold spring Caul MacCall Caulay Celtic Macaulay Cauldfield English Cold or Bleak Field Cauldwell English cold spring Cauley Celtic Macaulay Caulfield English Cabbage-Field Caulie Celtic Macaulay Caunter Gaunter, Ganter Causton English Ceawe's Estate Cavalier Anglo-French-Italian horseman Cavan Gaelic-Welsh The ridge of a hill Cavanagh Celtic Caemh + an, gentle, handsome Cavanah Celtic Caemh + an, gentle, handsome Cavannah Celtic Caemh + an, gentle, handsome Cave Anglo-French-Latin Cavern Caveen Gaelic-Welsh The ridge of a hill Caven Celtic Fine, Handsome Cavendish English Caves-Hollow Caves Anglo-French-Latin Cavern Cavill English Cave-Hill Caw Gaelic Ca, a house, a place fortified, inclosed, surrounded Cawdery French-Latin coudraie = Hazel-Grove Cawdry French-Latin coudraie = Hazel-Grove Cawley Macauly Cawse English Cawe's Son Cawson English Cawe's Son Cawston English Ceawe's Estate Cawthorn English Hawthorn Cawthorne English Hawthorn Cawthron English Hawthorn Caxton Locality a small town in England Cay Cornish-British Kea, inclosure Cayley Celtic Thin, Slender Cayly Locality Calais, a sea-port of France Cayser Anglo-Latin Kaiser, Caesar, Emperor Cayzer Anglo-Latin Kaiser, Caesar, Emperor Cazenove French New House Cearn Cairn, Carn Cearns Cairns Cecil Anglo-Latin caecus, blind Ceeley Seeley Chad Anglo-Celtic Cath, war Chadband English Cat-Brook Chadburn English Cat-Brook Chadderton Anglo-Celtic Cathir's Estate Chaddock Anglo-Celtic Little Chad Chaderton English Cathir's Estate Chadwell English St. Chad's Well Chadwick Locality Cyte signifies a cottage, and wick, a harbor, a sheltered place Chadwyck English Chadwick, Chadwych = Chad's Place Chaff French Chauve = Bald Chaffe French Chauve = Bald Chaffee French Chafe, to heat, to grow warm or angry Chaffer English chaffare, a bargaining; chaffaren, to deal, bargain Chaffers English Chaffer's Son Chalcraft Calcraft Chaldecott Caldecott Chalfont Anglo-Latin Cold Fount Chalk Saxon servant or attendant Chalke English cealc, chalk Chalkley English Chalky Lea Challen French-Latin-Celtic Chalons -sur-Marne was the Latin Catalaunis, the plural of a tribal name Challender Anglo-French calandra, a kind of lark Challener Locality Chaloner/Challoner a town in France Challenger English chalengen, to accuse, charge, claim Challenor Locality Chaloner/Challoner a town in France Challice cup or bowl Challiner Locality Chaloner/Challoner a town in France Challinor Locality Chaloner/Challoner a town in France Challis cup or bowl Challiss Anglo-French-Celtic Chalais or Chaillois = the Wood Challon French-Latin-Celtic Chalons -sur-Marne was the Latin Catalaunis, the plural of a tribal name Challoner Locality a town in France Chalmers Scottish-French De La Chambre Chalon French-Latin-Celtic Chalons -sur-Marne was the Latin Catalaunis, the plural of a tribal name Chaloner Anglo-French chalon/chaloun, a quilt, from chalons-sur-Marne, where this kind of coverlet was first made Chamberlain Anglo-French-German Chamber - Overseer; Steward Chamberlayne Anglo-French-German Chamber - Overseer; Steward Chamberlen Anglo-French-German Chamber - Overseer; Steward Chamberlin Anglo-French-German Chamber - Overseer; Steward Chambers Scottish-French De La Chambre Chambres French Chamber-Attendant Champ French Field Champagne Anglo-French-Latin campania - campus, a plain, field Champain Anglo-French-Latin campania - campus, a plain, field Champe French champ, a field Champin Anglo-French-Latin campania - campus, a plain, field Champion A soldier that fought in public combat Champlain Champ, an open, level field or plain, and lean, a meadow Champlin Champ, an open, level field or plain, and lean, a meadow Champness Anglo-French-Latin Champagne France = the Plain Champney French Champ, a field, and ey, water-the wet country or country near the water Champneys Anglo-French-Latin Champagne France = the Plain Chanay Cheney Chance Anglo-French-Latin Good Luck, Good Fortune Chandler maker and seller of various wares, originally of candles Chaney Cheney Chang Chinese prosperous or flourishing Chanler Chandler, maker and seller of various wares, originally of candles Channing Saxon Cyning, knowing, wise Channon Anglo-French-Latin Cannon Chant French song Chanter Anglo-French-Latin Singer Chantler Chandler, maker and seller of various wares, originally of candles Chantrell Little Chanter Chantrey Anglo-French-Latin sing Chantry Anglo-French-Latin sing Chany Cheney Chapel Anglo-French-Latin A private oratory; a place of public worship Chapell Anglo-French-Latin A private oratory; a place of public worship Chapin Chapman; a trader, a shopman Chaplin Anglo-French-Latin Chapel Chapman Chipman, a trader, a shopman Chappel Chapel Chappell Chapel Chappelow Scandinavian Chapel-How, haug-r, a hill Chapple Chapel Chapplow Scandinavian Chapel-How, haug-r, a hill Chard English Cerdic, the West-Saxon king Charles German carl, strong, stout, courageous, and valiant Charleson Charles's Son Charlesson Charles's Son Charlesworth English Churl's Place or Farm Charleton English Churls' Place or Farm Charlett Little Charle, or Charles Charley English Churls' Lea Charlton English Churls' Place or Farm Charman Anglo-French Carman Charnley English a meadow in which churning was done Charnock Norman-French the town of Chernoc, in Normandy Charrington English Carrington, for Cherrington Chart English Cert, an Old Kentish word for a Wood Charter Carter Charteris Anglo-French-Latin the tribal name Carnutes of Caesar Charters Anglo-French-Latin the tribal name Carnutes of Caesar Chartres Anglo-French-Latin the tribal name Carnutes of Caesar Chase Anglo-French-Latin chacier, chasser, to hunt, chase Chastel French Castle Chastell French Castle Chaston Caston Chater Anglo-French-Latin excadere, to fall to one's share Chatfeild English catt, a wild cat Chatfield English catt, a wild cat Chatham Saxon cyte, a cottage, and ham, a village, Chatsey Saxon cyte, a cottage, and sey, near the water Chatsworth Locality cyte, a cottage, as above, and worth, a place or estate Chattaway English Chad and wig, battle, war Chatteris English Chateriz Chatterton Saxon cete-doir-ton, the cottage-town in the wood Chatto Catto Chatwin English Chad, and wine Chaucer Anglo-French-Latin Leather-Breechers Maker Chauncey Anglo-French Chancey, Chance, or Chancay Chauncy Anglo-French Chancey, Chance, or Chancay Chavez Portuguese a place in the province of Tras-os-Montes named Chaves Chawner Chaloner/Challoner Chaytor Anglo-French-Latin excadere, to fall to one's share Cheator Chater ante Checkley English Cecca's Lea Chedsey Locality Chertsey, a town in Surrey, England, near the Thames, Cerot's Island Chedzey English Cedd's Island Chedzoy English Cedd's Island Cheek English prominent jaw Cheers Anglo-French-Latin Cher = Dear Cheese Cheesman/Cheeseman or Cheeswright/Cheesewright Cheeseman Locality A dealer in cheese Cheeseright English Cheese-Maker Cheesewright English Cheese-Maker Cheesman English Cheese-Maker Cheeswright English Cheese-Maker Cheetham English Ceatta's Home or Estate Cheever French Chevir signifies to master or overcome Cheevers Cheever's Son Cheke Cheek Chen Chinese the region of Chen in present-day Henan province Chenery French Chenevrey Cheney French Chene, an oak Chennell French Little Chene, an oak Cherrington English Cherinton = the Estate of the Cerr/Cerra Family Cherry Anglo-French-Latin cheri, beloved, cherished Chesebrough Locality Chene, an oak Chesher Anglo-Latin Cheshire = Chestershire Cheshire Anglo-Latin Chestershire Chesnay Anglo-French-Latin Oak-Wood Chesney Anglo-French-Latin Oak-Wood Chessher Anglo-Latin Cheshire = Chestershire Chesshire Anglo-Latin Cheshire = Chestershire Chessman Cheesman/Cheeseman Chester Locality ceaster, a fortified place, a city, a castle or camp Chesterman Chester + man Chesters Locality ceaster, a fortified place, a city, a castle or camp Chesterton Anglo-Latin Farmstead or Manor at the Roman Camp Cheston Anglo-Latin Farmstead or Manor at the Roman Camp Chesworth English Cissa's Estate Cheswright Cheeswright/Cheesewright Chetham Saxon cyte, a cottage, and ham, a village Chetter Chater Chetwode English cete, a cottage, wudu, a wood

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