100 Jamaican Last Names or Surnames
In this Article
The last name is usually based on occupation, place of birth, ancestors’ origin, caste, religion, and many other factors. It is generally inherited and may be changed or, in some form, retained. Today’s last names have gained importance because it represents a choice made by parents or an individual. They also help distinguish individuals from others who share the same first name. Jamaica’s rich and ethnically diverse culture is a product of the interaction between Europe and Africa. You can find several common Jamaican family names in Jamaica and other places worldwide.
The absence of real native last names in Jamaica makes its culture unique. With many Jamaicans being enslaved by the British and people inheriting the last name of the plantation where they worked, colonization and immigration from countries like England, Ireland, India, and China profoundly impacted the tradition of last names attached to popular names of Jamaica. Primarily British in their origin, common Jamaican surnames English last names have a significant presence in Jamaica, and Irish and Scottish last names after Oliver Cromwell sent convicts and indentured servants there during the 1600s. The first names of Jamaican children often carry double middle names. Native Jamaican last names even have deep and historical meanings that highlight the culture and language. The local dialect of Jamaica combines elements of other languages like Spanish, African, Irish, British, and American phrases.
100 Jamaican Surnames or Family Names With Meanings
Here is a comprehensive list of Jamaican surnames for both boys and girls that can lend your child’s name a formal identity.
1. Allen
With its roots in Ireland, Allen means ‘tiny stones’ or ‘rocks.’
2. Anderson
This English surname means “son of Andrew,” where Andrew means man in Greek.
3. Armstrong
This Scottish surname means “son of a strong man.”
4. Adamson
Adamson means ‘Adam’s son’ in English.
5. Azan
Derived from Arabic origin, Azan means ‘calling someone to pray.’
6. Brown
This popular Scottish surname comes from Old English or Old French Brun and means “brown,” as in the color of an individual’s complexion, the color of their hair, or even the color of the garments they wore most often.
7. Bailey
This French occupational surname means “bailiff.”
8. Baxter
This English surname means “baker.”
9. Banks
This English surname refers to a person living by the hillside.
10. Beckford
This English surname refers to a village in Worcestershire of England with a similar name.
11. Blair
This Scottish surname means a piece of land or a battlefield.
12. Bolt
This English surname can mean either an “arrow” or “a strong person.”
13. Bryan
Bryan comes from the Old Celtic word meaning “high” or “noble.”
14. Campbell
This Scottish last name refers to someone with a crooked smile or mouth.
15. Clark
Derived from English origin, Clark means “clerk.”
16. Calder
This Scottish surname means ‘harsh waters.’
17. Cato
Cato refers to someone who knows everything in Latin.
18. Chung
Chung means ‘unmasking’ or ‘opening up’ in Chinese.
19. Cliff
Cliff means ‘a slope or the edge of the sea’ in English.
20. Cole
Originating from the English nickname cola, Cole means ‘victory.’
21. Cross
Derived from the Latin word crux, Cross denotes ‘people living near a cross or crossroads.’
22. Davis
Davis means ‘son of David’ in English.
23. Dixon
Dixon means ‘the son of Richard Keith.’
24. Dillon
This Irish surname refers to ‘a blind person.’
25. Daley
Daley means “son of Dalach,” where Dalach refers to a congregation in Gaelic.
26. Deleon
This French surname refers to someone hailing from Leon, a city in Spain.
27. Demetrius
This Greek surname translates to “a person with loyalty towards the Goddess Demeter.”
28. Edmondson
This English surname means ‘son of Edmond.’
29. Edwards
Edward translates to “someone who is a successful protector” in English.
30. Esson
Esson means ‘son of the fire God’ in Celtic.
31. Evans
Evans means ‘heir of Evan’ in Welsh.
32. Eithan
Eithan means “firm, enduring, strong, and long-lived” in Hebrew.
33. Francis
This Latin surname means “Frenchman” or “free man.”
34. Ferguson
Derived from Scottish origin, Ferguson denotes the heir of Fergus, whereas Fergus means someone strong.
35. Garvey
Garvey means ‘heir of Gairbheith’ in Irish.
36. Gilpin
This last name of English origin refers to descendants of Gilbert.
37. Ghana
A West African country, Ghana means “strong warrior king.”
38. Glenmore
This last name from the Philippines means “Soul-searching.”
39. Gooden
The last name is of English origin and means ‘a good helper.’
40. Gordon
This Scottish surname means ‘large fortress.’
41. Grant
Grant means “tall” or ‘great’ in English.
42. Graham
Graham means “gravel homestead” or “grey home” in English.
43. Glenn
Derived from the Gaelic word Gleann, Glenn means’ valley.’
44. Green
This name of English origin means “green” or refers to ‘families who lived in Greene, a village in the UK.’
45. Grey
Grey means “grey-haired” in English.
46. Henry
Henry combines the German word Heinrich, where “heim” refers to home, and “ric” refers to a leader.
47. Higgins
Derived from the Irish word huiginn, Higgins refers to the ‘son of Uiginn.’ Uiginn is also a nickname for a Viking.
48. Hogg
This Scottish surname refers to ‘people who look after cattle.’
49. Hutton
This Scottish and northern English surname refers to a tapered hilltop or mountain that has been enclosed.
50. Hyatt
Hyatt means ‘a tall gate’ or ‘doorway’ in English.
51. Hamilton
Derived from “Hamel,” meaning twisted or curved, and “dun” meaning a hill, this last name comes from Scottish and Irish origin.
52. Harris
Harris denotes a descendant of Harry in Old English.
53. Hall
Derived from English, Scottish, and Irish origin, Hall refers to “Someone who lived in or worked in a hall or manor house.”
54. Jackson
This American, Scottish, Irish, and English surname means “son of Jack.”
55. James
James comes from the Hebrew name Jacob and means “supplanter.”
56. Jarret
Derived from English origin, Jarrett means ‘son of Gerald.’
57. Jeffrey
This German surname means ‘a calm and quiet vow or a person who travels.’
58. Johnson
This English surname means “son of John.”
59. Jonas
This Hebrew surname means “dove.”
60. Kenton
Kenton denotes ‘royal chieftain’ in English.
61. Knight
From the old English word knight, Knight means a soldier on a horse.
62. Lawrence
This Latin surname means “bright.”
63. Lewis
This English surname means “famed warrior.”
64. Leon
Leon refers to the majestic animal “lion” in Greek.
65. Levy
Levy means “combining” in Hebrew.
66. Lee
Lee means’ plum’ or ‘plum tree’ in Chinese.
67. Malcolm
Derived from Gaelic origin, Malcolm means “devotee of Saint Columba.”
68. Mcpherson
An English version of the Gaelic word Mac, Phearsain means ‘heir of the parson.’
69. McKenley
Derived from Gaelic origin, McKenley refers to the “descendent of Finlay.”
70. Miller
This Old English surname refers to a person who owned or worked in a grain mill.’
71. Marshall
Marshall means “lover of horses” in French.
72. Morgan
Morgan means “sea chief” in Welsh.
73. Myers
Myers means “steward or bailiff,” as in the magistrate of a city or town in German.
74. Matthews
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, Matthews means “gift of Yahweh,” or “gift of God.”
75. Nembhard
Derived from the Germanic word Nan(d)hart, where “and” Nembhard means ‘bold’ or ‘fearless’ and ‘hard.’
76. Owen
Owen denotes someone born in a noble family or a noble person in Welsh.
77. Palmer
This English surname means “Holy land pilgrim.”
78. Pessoa
Pesoa means ‘a person’ or ‘human’ in Portuguese.
79. Phillips
This Greek surname means “friend of horses.”
80. Powell
Powell in Welsh means “son of Hywel.”
81. Pratt
Derived from Old English origin, Pratt refers to someone who likes to play pranks or tricks.
82. Robinson
This English patronymic surname means “son of Robin. “
83. Reid
This Scottish surname means “red.”
84. Rose
Rose comes from the Germanic word Hrodohaidis meaning “someone famous.”
85. Samuels
Derived from the Old Testament of the Bible, Hebrew Samuels means either “God has heard” or “name of God.”
86. Scott
Derived from Latin, Scott is a ‘Scotsman’ or ‘a person from Scotland.’ Scott also translates as ‘wanderer.’
87. Simpson
This English and Scottish surname means “Son of Simme.”
88. Singh
Derived from Indian origin, Singh means ‘hero.’
89. Smith
Smith means “to smite” in English.
90. Stewart
This Scottish surname means ‘warden’ or ‘guardian.’
91. Thompson
Thompson means “son of Thomas” in English.
92. Tyndale
Tyndale denotes a person from the valley of Tynedale in England.
93. Vaughan
This Welsh surname means ‘something small’ or ‘tiny.’
94. Vassell
Vassell refers to people who served under a king in Medieval English.
95. Weston
Weston refers to a “town in the west” in English.
96. Watson
Derived from English and Scottish origin, Watson means “Son of Walter.”
97. Walker
Derived from English and German origin, Walker means “a fuller of cloth.”
98. Wheeler
Derived from English origin, Wheeler means ‘someone who works with wheels’ or ‘makes wheels.’
99. William
Walker means “resolute protector” or “strong-willed warrior” in English.
100. Wilson
Wilson means “desired protection” in English.
Surnames should be pleasant in sound, have a relevant meaning, and be popular. Parents can also create a last name representing their values or how they see their family. Regardless of the approach you choose, making an informed choice is essential as the last name represents your baby’s name for the rest of their life.
