140 Unique Last Names That Start With D

From the hunter-gatherer society to the more advanced industrial societies, the nature of the surnames depended on what was essential to the society at that time. Surnames were often derived from occupations, places of settlement, and social status as they were passed from one generation to the next. This family name or last name can be in compound form, gender-specific, ornamental, or descriptive as per cultural laws in different countries.

However, in the modern era, surnames were adopted for administrative or political reasons. Thus, the institution of the last name is fascinating as it exists as a form of social address based on which we find a place in our social universe. Last names beginning with ‘D’ can be symbolic, as the alphabet resonates with the ideas of pragmatism, deliverance, focus, and security. Here is a list of popular last names with ‘D’ that would help you add some spice to your personal and family identity.

Common D Letter Last Names

This list of common cool last names beginning with ‘D’ and their meanings can be an instant reckoner for those looking to pick a suitable surname for themselves or their baby.

1. D’ambrisio

Derived from Latin Ambrosius, meaning ‘immortal’, the name was popular in the 4th century.

2. D’Antonio

This Italian surname means ‘son of Antonio’. The Antonius Roman clan was considered as ‘priceless’.

3. D’Aramitz

Derived from Basque ‘haran’ that means ‘valley’, D’Aramitz denotes the one who came from Aramits, a town in the French Pyreness.

4. D’Cruz

Originating from Iberia, Cruz spread to Spain and Portugal where it means ‘Christian cross’.

5. Daalman

‘Daal; means ‘valley’ in Dutch and ‘man’ means ‘man’. The name refers to ‘a person who lived in a valley’.

6. Dabato

The name is derived from Southern Italian Sabbato, which means ‘Saturday’. It also comes from a Late Latin word ‘Sabbatum’ or Hebrew ‘Shabat’, which mean ‘rest’. Dabato refers to ‘someone born on a Saturday’.

7. Dabbs

This patronymic medieval surname is derived from the Germanic name Robert, which is composed of the elements of ‘hrod’ and ‘berht’ meaning ‘famous’.

8. Dace

Dace is a metonymic occupational name derived from Old French ‘dars’. It is a nickname for someone who resembles a dace fish. It also means ‘fisherman’ or ‘fish seller’.

9. Dach

Dach is a Polish and German topographical surname that refers to ‘a settler on clayey soil’.

10. Dack

Derived from the medieval origin, Dack means ‘a badger’ referring to somebody known for their nocturnal habits or has unusual physical features.

11. Da Costa

Derived from Portuguese, Italian, Jewish origin, Da Costa is a topographic name for Costa. It refers to ‘someone who lived on a riverbank or sea coast’.

12. Dadds

This Welsh name of Celtic origin may be derived from Germanic ‘dudd’ or ‘dodd’ denoting ‘a stupid person’ or a ‘lumpish person’.

13. Dadson

Derived from Old English ‘Dodda’ or ‘Dudda’, it was a term of endearment for a baby boy.

14. Dahl

Derived from Old Norse, Dahl means ‘valley’.

15. Dahlman

This Swedish surname means ‘dale’, ‘valley’ and ‘man’ referring to ‘someone who lived by the valley’.

16. Dalca

This Romanian surname means ‘lightning’.

17. Dale

Derived from Old English ‘dael’, meaning ‘valley’, it indicates ‘a person living by the valley’.

18. Daly

Daly is an anglicised form of Irish O’Dalaigh which means ‘descendant of Dalach’ or ‘one who is present at assemblies’.

19. Dam

Dam means ‘dike’ in Dutch. In modern Danish, it means ‘pond’ referring to ‘someone who lived by it’.

20. Damiano

This patronymic Italian surname is derived from Latin ‘Damianus’ which in turn comes from a Greek goddess name ‘Damia’.

21. Duncan

Duncan is of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning “dark warrior”.

22. Damyanov

Derived from Bulgarian Damyan, Damyanov means ‘son of Damian’.

23. Danchev

This Bulgarian surname means ‘son of Dancho’.

24. Dane

This Anglo-Saxon topographical surname is derived from ‘denu’, which means ‘valley’. It refers to ‘dwellers in the valley’.

25. D’angelo

This Italian patronymic surname means ‘son of Angelo’.

26. Daniel

Derived from Hebrew origin, Daniel means ‘God is my judge’. Two Biblical figures are named Daniel.

27. Danielsen

This surname of Danish and Norwegian origin means ‘son of Daniel’.

28. Darbinyan

This Armenian surname means ‘blacksmith’.

29. Darby

This English locational surname is derived from Old Norse ‘djur’, meaning ‘deer’, and ‘byr’, which means ‘farm’.

30. Darrel

Derived from Late Latin ‘arealis’, meaning ‘open space’, Darrel denotes ‘one who came from the Airel town of Normandy’.

31. Darrow

This habitational surname is a Scottish variant of northern Irish Darragh. It comes from Gaelic ‘darach’ that means ‘oak tree’.

32. Darzi

This Persian surname means ‘tailor’.

33. Daskalov

This Bulgarian patronymic name means ‘teacher’.

34. Daube

Derived from German ‘Taube’, the name means ‘pigeon’ or ‘dove’. The name also refers to a ‘mild and gentle person’.

35. Daubney

Derived from Gallo-Roman name Albinus, Daubney is a toponymic name for towns in France called Aubigny.

36. David

This Brythonic Celtic surname originates from Wales, and it means ‘friend’ or ‘darling’ in Hebrew. The name was popularised by King David of Isreal.

37. Davidson

This British patronymic surname means ‘son of David’.

38. Davidyan

This Armenian surname means ‘son of David’.

39. Davies

This patronymic Welsh surname is translated into David which in Hebrew means ‘beloved’.

40. Davin

This is an Irish surname, which is derived from Gaelicword ‘damh’, meaning ‘a stag’ or ‘an ox’.

41. Davis

This Welsh patronymic surname meaning ‘son of David’ is derived from Hebrew name David that means ‘beloved’.

42. Dawson

Derived from Anglo-Saxon descent, this baptismal name means ‘son of David’.

43. Day

Derived from a medieval diminutive of David, this patronymic surname means ‘day-servant’.

44. Deadman

A variant of Debenham which denotes the name of the River Deben, which also denotes ‘deep’, and the word ‘hem’, which means ‘settlement’. Deadman refers to a ‘person from Debenhem town’.

45. Dean

This Anglo-Saxon surname is derived from English ‘dene’ meaning ‘valley’.

46. DeAngelis

This Italian surname means ‘son of Angelo’.

47. DeCampo

This Italian surname is derived from the place name Campo.

48. Dedrick

This English surname is a variant of Derek and means ‘Gifted ruler’.

49. Deering

This Old English given name means ‘dear’ or ‘beloved’.

50. DeFelice

This Italian patronymic surname is derived from Latin word Felix meaning ‘happy’.

51. Deforest

This French surname means ‘from the forest’.

52. Degarmo

Derived from French ‘de Garmeaux’, this surname refers to a place named Garmeaux in Normandy.

53. DeGirmenci

This Turkish surname means ‘miller’.

54. DeGroot

This Dutch surname means ‘big’ or ‘great’.

55. DeHaven

This Dutch surname means ‘someone who lives or lived at a harbour’.

56. DeJong

This Dutch surname means ‘young’.

57. DeJonker

This Dutch occupational surname indicates ‘an ancestor who was a jonkheer or worked for one.’

58. DeKlerk

This Dutch occupational surname refers to ‘a scribe’ or ‘a clerk’.

59. De la cruz

This Spanish surname means ‘of the cross’.

 60. Delaney

Derived from Norman French ‘de l’aunaie’, the name means ‘from the alder grove’.

61. Demir

This Turkish surname refers to ‘the iron-maker’.

62. Demirovic

This Bosnian surname means ‘son of Demir’.

63. Denzil

This English surname refers to someone who comes from Denzell, a manor in Cornwall.

64. DePalma

This Italian surname means ‘from the palm tree’.

65. Derrickson

This English surname means ‘son of Derrick’.

66. Desmond

Derived from Gaelic Deasmhumhain, Desmond refers to ‘someone who came from South Munster region of Ireland’.

67. Desrosiers

Derived from French ‘rosier’, the name refers to a ‘person who lived near a rose garden’.

68. Devin

Derived from Old French word ‘devin’, which means ‘divine’, Devin refers to a ‘person who acted divinely’.

69. DeWitte

DeWitte is a nickname for ‘a person with white hair’.

70. Dibra

As Dibra refers to Debar city in Macedonia, Dibra refers to ‘someone who came from there’.

71. DiCaprio

Derived from Latin ‘capra’ meaning ‘goat’ and Greek Kapros meaning ‘wild boar’, Di Caprio refers to the Capri Island near Naples.

72. Dixon

Derived from Anglo-Saxon patronymic name Dick, Dixon is a baptismal name that means ‘son of Richard’.

73. Douglas

Douglas is a habitational surname derived from Scottish Gaelic ‘Dubh’, which means ‘black and ‘glais’, which means ‘stream’.

74. Doyle

Derived from Irish origin, Doyle is an anglicised form of O Dubhghaill meaning ‘descendant of Dubhghall’. Dubhghall means ‘black stranger’.

75. Duff

The name is derived from Gaelic ‘Dubh’, meaning ‘dark’.

76. Dunn

Dunn is an anglicised form of Irish surname O’Duinn that means ‘grandson of Donn’. The Gaelic form of this name means ‘brown-haired’.

77. Dvorak

Derived from Czech’ dvur’ meaning ‘manor’, Dvorak indicates someone who works in a manor’.

78. Dwerryhouse

This English surname refers to ‘a person who worked or lived at a dyehouse’.

79. Dyer

Derived from Old English word ‘deah’, this occupational surname means ‘cloth dyer’.

80. Dziedzic

Derived from Polish dziedzic, Dziedzic means ‘landowner’.

Famous Last Names That Begin With D

Last names give us an insight into the person’s lineage and family. However, some may even divert from traditions and choose their last name. Here are some famous last names that begin with D:

1. Daley

The name is of Irish and English origin. It means ‘gathering’.

2. Dalgaard

The name is of Old Norse origin and means ‘valley’.

3. Dali

The last name is of Spanish origin and means ‘drawn towards God’.

4. Dalton

It is a common British surname and means ‘from the valley town’.

5. D’Achille

It is a patronymic Italian surname after the Trojan war hero. 

6. D’Acquisto

It is a patronymic Italian surname that literally translates to ‘good acquisition’.

7. D’Acunto

It is a patronymic Italian surname and comes from the given name Acunto. 

8. D’Adamo

The name is derived from the given name Adam and means ‘earth’.

9. D’Addario

It is a patronymic Italian surname which is derived from the personal name Addario.

10. D’Addio

It is a patronymic Italian surname which is derived from the personal name Addio. 

Short Last Names Starting With D

Last names can be both long and short. However, short last names have a unique zeal to them. Here are some short last names starting with D:

1. Dalal

The name is of Arabic origin and means ‘passion’.

2. D’Amore

It is a patronymic Italian surname derived from the given name Amore which means ‘love’.

3. Dara

The name is of Persian origin and means ‘rich’.

4. Darrell

The name is of French origin and means ‘open’.

5. Das

The name is of Indian origin and means ‘slave’.

6. Datta

The name is of Hindu origin and means ‘one who is gifted’.

7. Deol

The last name is of African origin and means ‘crown of honour’.

8. Deshpande

The name is of Indian origin and means ‘one who maintains accounts or records at a territory level or district level’.

9. Dev

The last name is of Indian origin and means ‘fawn’.

10. Dewan

The last name is of Indian and Pakistani origin. It is given to a powerful government official. 

Long Last D Names

Long last names can describe just about anything. From your occupation to your habitat, anything can be included. Here are some long last names starting with D:

1. Desroches

It is a French and Haitian topographic name.

2. Devereux

The name is of Irish and English origin. It is a habitational name for someone from Évreux.

3. Doctor

The name dates back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was given to trappers of small game. 

4. Dodge

The name is of British origin and means ‘famous spearman’.

5. Doherty

It is an Irish and Scottish Patronymic name from Gaelic O’Dochartaigh. It means ‘descendant of Dochartach’.

6. Dohman

The name is of Old French origin and is given to ‘feudal lords’.

7. Dolan

The last name is of Irish and Gaelic origin. It denotes someone who is black-haired. 

8. Dolezal

The name is of Czech origin and is a nickname for a lazy person.

9. Donne

The name is derived from Old Gaelic. It was a distinguishing nickname given to someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.

10. Donnelly

The name is of Irish origin. It is the anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Donnghaile and means ‘descendant of Donnghal’.

Rare Last Names That Start With D

One of the best feelings in the world is being unique. This is especially true when it comes to your names. Here are some rare last names that start with D:

1. Dayal

The last name comes from Sanskrit and is of Indian origin. It means ‘kind and compassionate’.

2. Dhillon

The name is of French origin and comes from the name of the town of Lyon in central France.

3. Drake

The name is of English origin and means ‘male duck’.

4. Draper

The last name is taken from the occupation. 

5. Dreher

The name is of South German and Swiss German origin. It is an occupational name for a turner from an agent.

6. Dreschner

The name is of German and Jewish origin. It is an occupational name for a thresher. 

7. Dresdner

The name is of German, Scandinavian, and Jewish origin. It is a habitational name for someone from Dresden in Saxony. 

8. Driscoll

The name is of Irish origin and means ‘descendent of the messenger’.

9. Droit

The name is derived from Old French word Dru which translates to ‘little sweetheart’.

10. Drummond

The name is of Scottish origin and is a habitational name from any of various places notably the barony of Drummond.

Unique Last Names With Letter D

Last names that begin with D can be distinctive and meaningful, often carrying a rich history and cultural significance. Here are ten unique surnames that start with D, each with its unique origin and meaning.

1. Duvinsky

Duvinsky is a surname of Eastern European origin, often associated with Jewish heritage. It is believed to be derived from a place name or a family occupation.

2. Dalmat

Dalmat is a surname that originates from the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It signifies someone who is from Dalmatia.

3. Denali

Denali is a surname that has its roots in the indigenous languages of Alaska. It means “great one,” referring to the highest peak in North America.

4. Drexton

Drexton is a modern surname with English origins, often seen as a variant of Drexler. It typically means “one who works with a lathe.”

5. Drystan

Drystan is a Welsh surname, deriving from the Old Welsh name Drustan. It means “riot”, often associated with the legendary Tristan from Arthurian legends.

6. Denholm

Denholm is a Scottish surname, originating from a place name in the Scottish Borders. It means “holly island.”

7. Delfino

Delfino is an Italian surname meaning “dolphin.” It often signifies someone who is playful and agile, similar to the characteristics of the dolphin.

8. Da Silva

Da Silva is a Portuguese surname meaning “of the forest.” It is one of the most common surnames in Portugal and Brazil, indicating someone who lived near a forest.

9. Dourado

Dourado is a Portuguese surname that means “golden.” It often signifies wealth, prosperity, or a golden-haired person.

10. Darrowshire

Darrowshire is a fictional surname, likely inspired by English place names. It suggests a “settlement in a deer park” or a place associated with deer.

Cool Last Names That Begin With D

Surnames that begin with D often carry a sense of strength, history, and mystery. Here are ten captivating last names with D, along with their meanings.

1. Damaris

Damaris is of Greek origin and means “gentle”.

2. Duvallar

Duvallar is derived from French, meaning “from the valley.”

3. Dallinger

Dallinger is of German origin, meaning “valley people.”

4. Devro

Devro is a variation of Devereux, of French origin, meaning “from Evreux.”

5. Driskoll

Driskoll is of Irish origin, meaning “descendant of the messenger.”

6. Davenhart

Davenhart is a combination of Old English elements, meaning “hart’s haven.”

7. Delacroix

Delacroix is of French origin, meaning “of the cross.”

8. Dorell

Dorell is of French origin, meaning “golden.”

9. Damarion

Damarion is a modern name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of “Damaris” and “Marion.”

10. Delsin

Delsin is of Native American origin, meaning “he is so.”

FAQs

1. Are there any famous individuals with last names starting with ‘D’?

Yes, several famous individuals have last names starting with ‘D’, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Charles Darwin, and Viola Davis.

2. What’s the most common D last name globally?

The most common D last name globally is likely “Davis,” particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries.

Surname starts with D often denote heritage and history, encompassing a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. As a surname’s power is often linked to a successful life, it is important to carry it wherever you go as an identity. If you’re hunting for surnames starting with ‘D’, this can be your perfect database guide to begin your search.

Also Read:

Rich Last Names or Surnames
Surnames or Last Names That Start With ‘C’
Surnames or Last Names That Start With S

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