240+ Last Names That Start With B and Their Meanings

By Rama Aiyer | Updated: 18/10/2025

Last names carry stories, and they tell us where people came from, what they did for a living, and sometimes even a piece of their personality or the hopes their ancestors had for them. Think of how certain letters seem to dominate in different regions: the rolling “M” names of Scotland, the sturdy “S” names in parts of Eastern Europe, or the bold “B” names you might hear across Ireland, England, and even Africa. Exploring last names that start with B gives us a doorway into history. Some are rooted in occupations like baking or building. Others trace back to geography, linking families to mountains, rivers, or villages. What makes this journey enjoyable is not just learning what a name “means,” but how those meanings reflect real people’s lives—ordinary families who left behind extraordinary linguistic footprints.

Common Last Names Starting With B

Here are some well-known surnames beginning with B, each with a brief note on meaning or origin. These names span English, German, Spanish, Irish, and more—showing how diverse “B” names can be.

Bailey — from English bailey, meaning “bailiff or steward.”
Baker — occupational name for someone who bakes bread or works with ovens.
Banks — from the Old English for “bank” (riverbank or hillside).
Blaschke — points to Slavic roots, common in Eastern German regions.
Bargmann – may relate to a person who lived near a hill or mound.
Backhaus— refers to a family who lived or worked by a bakehouse.
Baier — connects to the region of Bavaria, a Bavarian family.
Bausch — sometimes refers to a tuft of hair or bushy appearance.
Bell — for someone who made or rang bells.
Bennett — from Latin Benedictus, meaning “blessed.”
Benson — “son of Ben” or “son of Benedict.”
Benton — from “bent town,” a place name in England.
Berg — German for “mountain” or “hill.”
Berger — German occupational name for a shepherd or someone from a hill.
Bishop — from ecclesiastical “bishop,” one overseeing church affairs.
Black — originally referring to someone with dark hair or dark complexion.
Bolton — habitational name meaning “town with a settlement by a hollow.”
Bond — from Old Norse “bondi,” meaning “farmer, peasant.”
Bowman — literally “bow man,” meaning archer or bow-maker.

Uncommon Last Names That Start With B

These less-heard names beginning with B carry hidden stories from lesser-known corners of the world. Here are twenty of them, along with a brief origin or meaning in ten to fifteen words:

Babcock — English, meaning “son of Bab” or “son of Barbara.”
Baca — Spanish/Albanian, from river crossing or the oldest brother in the family.
Badcock — archaic English, diminutive of medieval given name Bada.
Badillo — Spanish, meaning “ford” or river crossing.
Bothe — means messenger, linked to someone delivering important news.
Balderrama — Spanish habitational name from the Valderas region.
Barboza — Portuguese/Spanish variation of Barbosa, meaning “goat’s beard.”
Barrera — Spanish, meaning “barrier,” referring to a fence or gate.
Barrientos — Spanish, meaning “loamy soil near a barrier.”
Barrios — Spanish, meaning “suburb” or “outlying district.”
Bittner — refers to a cooper, someone skilled in making wooden tubs.
Bazán — Spanish, meaning “pheasant,” a symbol of beauty.
Beauchemin — French, meaning “beautiful path” or “fine road.”
Beil — German, occupational, maker of axe heads (beil means axe).
Beebe — English, meaning “bee keeper’s place.”
Beaumont — French, meaning “beautiful hill.”
Bachmeier — German, farm steward by a stream (bach + meier).
Bachchan — Indian, derived from Hindi meaning “child” (used as a surname).
Babić — Slavic (Croatian/Serbian), from “baba” (grandmother or old woman).
Babič — Slovene form of Babić, same root in Slavic languages.

Famous Surnames That Begin With B

These are names you might instantly recognize—held by actors, leaders, artists, and authors. Below each name is a hint of where it comes from or what it means.

Baldwin — Germanic, “bold friend.”
Bardot — French, possibly from “bird” or “bard.”
Barnes — from “barn,” tied to someone who lived near barns.
Bunge — points to a bunch or bundle, which could relate to trade goods.
Barton — “barley town,” a place name in England.
Beckham — English, meaning “homestead by the stream.”
Beethoven — Dutch/German, “beet town” (place name origin).
Bernard — Germanic, “brave as a bear.”
Bialik — Polish / Eastern European, possibly from Biał (“white”).
Bormann — likely designates someone from a place called Born or by a spring
Blevins — English, perhaps “son of Levin.”
Bowie — Scottish / Gaelic, meaning “fair-haired.”
Bradley — English, “broad wood or clearing.”
Brückner — German, one who lived by a bridge (Brücke).
Bryant — variation of Brian, meaning “high, noble.”

Cool Last Names Beginning With B

Here are some bold, interesting surnames that start with B. These names often have striking sounds or unique meanings that make them memorable.

Baxter — originally “bread maker,” female form of Baker in Old English.
Beckett — Old English, meaning little brook, named for people living near small streams.
Beltran — Spanish, meaning “bright raven” or “illustrious raven.”
Bianchi — Italian, meaning “white” or “pure white.”
Biblius — rare, perhaps Latin origin tied to books or scrolls.
Bird — for someone who sang or liked birds, or lived near birds.
Blair — Scottish, meaning “field” or “plain.”
Blakemore — Old English, “black moor” (dark marsh or moorland).
Blanchard — French, meaning “whitish,” often a nickname.
Bonaventure — from Latin bonus fortuna, “good fortune.”
Bourne — English, meaning “brook” or “small stream.”
Bowyer — occupational name for someone who makes bows (archery).
Branson — “son of Brand,” Brand meaning “sword” or “firebrand.”
Breckenridge — Scottish, “hill of the bryces” or steep ridge.
Buckley — English, “meadow of the bucks (male deer).”

Spanish Surnames That Start With B

Spain has given rise to some beautiful and historic family names. Exploring Spanish last names starting with B reveals a mix of geography, nature, and old occupations that families carried for generations.

Benner — possibly relates to someone who made banners or flags.
Bock — based on the word for goat, shows stubbornness or resilience.
Balderas — derived from a Spanish place name, meaning threshing floors or farming areas.
Barajas — from the Madrid area, referring to plains or open countryside.
Barbosa — means “bearded” in Portuguese and Spanish, often a descriptive surname.
Barwald — associated with a forest, especially wild or bear-inhabited areas.
Barron — Spanish and Basque, meaning noble title or hill slope.
Berndt — a form of Bernard, meaning strong or brave like a bear.
Barroso — means “muddy” or “clay-like soil,” often tied to land features.
Bruns — patronymic from Bruno, which means brown or bear-like.
Busse — possibilities include an old word for kiss, or a place with bushes.
Belmonte — “beautiful mountain,” taken from towns named Belmonte in Spain.
Benavides — means “son of Benito,” derived from Latin Benedictus, meaning blessed.
Bermejo — Spanish surname meaning “reddish,” describing hair or complexion.
Brantner — may reference a person dealing with a burning brand or fire.

Italian Last Names Starting With B

Italy is known for surnames with deep roots in family history, faith, and the land. Many Italian names beginning with B carry meanings tied to nature, character, or ancient traditions.

Baggio — Italian surname meaning “berry,” possibly tied to fruit gatherers.
Balbo — from Latin “balbus,” meaning stammering or one who stutters.
Baldelli — diminutive of Baldo, meaning bold or courageous.
Balsamo — Italian for “balm,” often linked to healing or perfumery.
Barbieri — occupational surname meaning barber or hair cutter.
Barone — noble surname meaning baron, signifying rank or title.
Bartoli — patronymic from Bartolo, derived from Bartholomew, meaning son of Talmai.
Bassi — meaning low or humble, often describing stature or character.
Bastianelli — diminutive of Bastiano, Italian form of Sebastian, meaning revered.
Bellucci — from “bello,” meaning beautiful or handsome.
Benedetti — from Latin Benedictus, meaning blessed or well spoken of.
Benigni — meaning kind or good-natured, from Latin benignus.
Bernardi — derived from Bernardo, meaning strong as a bear.
Bianco — Italian for white, often describing complexion or purity.
Brunetti — diminutive of Bruno, meaning brown-haired or dark-complexioned.

Hispanic Surnames Beginning With B

Many Hispanic surnames carry stories of geography, faith, or professions from centuries past. Looking at Hispanic last names that start with B gives us a glimpse of heritage woven into daily life.

Ballesteros — Spanish surname meaning crossbowmen, tied to medieval archers.
Banuelos — derived from the Spanish word for baths or public bathing places.
Barahona — habitational surname from several towns named Barahona in Spain.
Bargas — taken from a town in Toledo, Spain, meaning steep hills.
Baumbach — refers to someone living by both a tree and a brook.
Birk — connects the family to birch trees, possibly living nearby.
Basora — Catalan and Spanish surname linked to broom shrubs or thickets.
Bautista — Spanish for Baptist, often honoring Saint John the Baptist.
Bedoya — Basque surname, likely meaning birch forest.
Belasco — Basque name meaning crow, linked to symbolism of wisdom.
Bengoa — Basque surname tied to valley or low-lying land.
Benítez — patronymic meaning son of Benito, from Benedictus (blessed).
Berdugo — Spanish surname meaning executioner, tied to historic roles.
Betancourt — Spanish and Norman French, meaning settlement of Betan.
Bolaños — from the Spanish word for millstones or rounded stones, a habitational origin.

French Last Names That Begin With B

French family names are often elegant and tied to places, noble titles, or descriptive features. Exploring French last names that start with B gives us a mix of charm, history, and tradition.

Babin — derived from the given name Bab, meaning little one or childlike.
Bachelot — occupational surname meaning baker or linked to bread making.
Baffier — French surname tied to someone who worked with yew wood.
Bagot — habitational surname from Normandy, possibly linked to Bagotville.
Bailly — French for bailiff or overseer, linked to local administration.
Bastille — from Old French for stronghold or fortress, famous in Paris.
Baudelaire — from baud (bold) and laire (merry), tied to a cheerful character.
Baudin — from baud, meaning bold or joyful, common in medieval France.
Bavard — French surname meaning talkative or expressive person.
Beauregard — meaning beautiful view, often tied to scenic landscapes.
Beaune — habitational surname from Beaune, a wine region in Burgundy.
Belcourt — French surname meaning beautiful court or dwelling.
Bellamy — from bel ami, meaning good friend or handsome companion.
Beranger — from Germanic roots meaning spear and warrior.
Boivin — nickname surname meaning drinker of wine, tied to old customs.

English Surnames Starting With B

English surnames often grew from occupations, places, or nicknames that described early families. Looking at those that begin with B shows a wide mix of history and character.

Bainbridge — from a bridge over the River Bain in Yorkshire.
Balfour — habitational surname from lands in Fife, Scotland, later common in England.
Bamber — derived from Old English, meaning tree-covered hill or enclosure.
Bamford — from a place in Lancashire, meaning bean ford or river crossing.
Banbury — habitational surname from Banbury town in Oxfordshire.
Bannister — occupational name for a basket maker or craftsman.
Bardwell — from a Suffolk place name meaning clearing of the bard.
Baskerville — Norman origin, from Boscherville in France, brought to England after the conquest.
Bateman — occupational name meaning boatman or keeper of a boat.
Battersea — derived from a London district, originally meaning Badric’s island.
Beadnell — habitational surname from Beadnell village in Northumberland.
Beeston — from Old English, meaning settlement by bent grass or reeds.
Belcher — nickname surname, meaning fine face or handsome appearance.
Bentham — habitational name meaning homestead on a bent grass field.
Billingham — English surname from Durham, meaning homestead of the Billingas clan.

German Last Names that Start With B

Below are German surnames beginning with B, each with a brief meaning or origin:

Bauer – known for their connection to working the fields and rural life.
Baum – inspired by tall trees, often linked to families near forests.
Behrendt – variant of Behrend, meaning strong as a bear or brave warrior.
Beck – traces back to people who settled by small rivers or flowing water.
Braun – highlights a family feature like darker hair or skin shade.
Bender – has roots in traditional crafts, especially making barrels.
Böhm – points to ancestors originating from the Bohemia region.
Busch – linked to nature, especially areas with dense shrubs or thickets.
Brandt – may have been given to families connected to burning or fire-related work.
Bach – associated with ancestral homes near gentle streams.
Binder – describes those skilled in binding, carpentry, or woodworking trades.
Blume – recalls joyful ties to flowers or bright personality traits.
Baumann – perhaps connects to a tradition of craftsmanship and building.
Bartsch – stands out for a link to someone with a striking beard.
Brockmann – tied to origins in wetlands or marshy landscapes.

Mexican Surnames That Begin With B

Mexican surnames often blend Spanish, indigenous, and regional roots. Looking at those beginning with B shows how culture, land, and history shaped family names.

Baeza — habitational surname from a town in Jaén, Spain, carried into Mexico.
Brehm — from a place or region with the same name, often found in Saxony.
Breuer — occupational name for a brewer, skilled in making beer.
Barba — Spanish surname meaning beard, often describing the appearance of early ancestors.
Barcenas — habitational name from villages in Cantabria, Spain, brought to Mexico.
Barragán — Spanish origin, meaning warrior or strongman, common across Mexico.
Barrenechea — Basque surname meaning new path or new road, carried into Mexico.
Barreto — Portuguese and Spanish surname, meaning small clay pot or vessel.
Bartolo — derived from Bartholomew, meaning son of Talmai, adapted in Mexico.
Bastida — Catalan and Spanish surname meaning fortress or enclosed stronghold.
Batista — Spanish origin, meaning Baptist, often linked to Saint John.
Becerra — Spanish surname meaning young cow or heifer, tied to cattle keepers.
Beltrán — from Germanic roots, meaning bright raven, well established in Mexico.
Bencomo — surname of Guanche origin from the Canary Islands, later adopted in Mexico.
Borrego — Spanish surname meaning lamb, sometimes used as a family nickname.

Irish Last Names Beginning With B

Irish surnames often reflect ancient clans, places, or personal traits. Looking at those beginning with B shows strong Gaelic roots and family pride.

Bagnall — Anglo-Irish surname from Bagnall in Staffordshire, introduced to Ireland.
Bannon — from Gaelic Ó Banáin, meaning descendant of Banán, little white one.
Barnewall — Norman Irish surname from Berneval in Normandy, later in Dublin.
Barrett — Irish surname from Bairéad, meaning quarrelsome or contentious person.
Barry — from de Barra, meaning spear or fair-haired in Gaelic.
Beirne — Gaelic Ó Birn, meaning descendant of Bran, connected to wolves.
Bellew — Anglo-Norman surname from Belleau in France, settled in Ireland.
Bermingham — Norman origin from the de Bermingham family, settled in Galway.
Biggane — Gaelic Ó Beagáin, meaning descendant of the little one.
Birney — derived from Ó Birn, meaning descendant of Bran, a raven.
Blake — from de Bláca, meaning dark or swarthy, common in Galway.
Bodkin — Anglo-Norman Irish surname, possibly meaning dagger or blade.
Boland — from Ó Beólláin, meaning descendant of Beóllán, little poet.
Brennan — from Ó Braonáin, meaning descendant of Braonán, little tear.
Brogan — Gaelic Ó Brógáin, meaning descendant of Brógán, little shoe.

Jewish Surnames That Start With B

Jewish surnames often reflect Hebrew origins, occupations, or places tied to migration. Looking at those starting with B shows a blend of religious, cultural, and regional influences.

Bacharach — from the German town Bacharach, linked to Jewish families there.
Bamberger — habitational surname for Jewish families from Bamberg, Germany.
Barenboim — Yiddish origin, meaning pear tree, tied to Eastern European roots.
Baron — noble title used by Jewish families across Europe.
Baruch — Hebrew name meaning blessed, tied to religious tradition.
Behrman — Yiddish, meaning bear man, symbolizing strength.
Ben Ami — Hebrew surname meaning son of my people.
Ben David — Hebrew origin, meaning son of David, tied to lineage.
Ben Zvi — Hebrew surname meaning son of the deer.
Bendavid — variation of Ben David, common among Sephardic Jews.
Bensimon — Hebrew surname meaning son of Simon.
Benzion — Hebrew name meaning son of Zion.
Bernfeld — Yiddish origin, meaning bear field.
Birnbaum — German Jewish surname meaning pear tree.
Bloch — Ashkenazi Jewish surname from the word for block, tied to towns.

Polish Last Names Starting With B

Polish surnames often come from occupations, landscapes, or family ancestry. Exploring the B last names from Poland reveals a rich mix of history and tradition.

Babiak — from the Polish word for old man or elder, possibly a nickname.
Bagiński — habitational surname from villages named Bagno, meaning marshland.
Balicki — derived from the town of Balice in Poland, linked to the place of origin.
Banach — Polish surname of uncertain origin, sometimes tied to occupation.
Bandura — linked to a traditional string instrument, common in Eastern Europe.
Baran — from Polish for ram, possibly a nickname for a strong or stubborn person.
Baraniecki — derived from Baran, meaning little ram or descendant of Baran.
Barczyk — diminutive of Barcz, often meaning small forest or grove.
Bartosz — patronymic surname from the given name Bartosz, Polish form of Bartholomew.
Bartkowiak — from the given name Bartek, diminutive of Bartłomiej (Bartholomew).
Bator — possibly from the Hungarian royal family name Báthory, adopted in Poland.
Bałanda — occupational surname tied to cooking, meaning stew or porridge.
Bednarski — occupational surname for a cooper, maker of barrels.
Bielawski — habitational surname from Bielawa, meaning white meadow.
Biegański — derived from biegać, meaning to run, possibly describing a runner.

Japanese Surnames Beginning With B

Japanese surnames often connect to nature, landscapes, or traditional occupations. Although rarer, some family names begin with B and carry unique cultural roots.

Baba — Japanese surname meaning horse place, often linked to stables.
Babaishi — meaning stone at the horse place, tied to old stables.
Bando — refers to the eastern provinces of Japan, meaning within the barrier.
Banjo — Japanese surname meaning wide castle or guard of the castle.
Banri — means ten thousand miles, symbolizing distance or vastness.
Bansho — tied to a watchman’s office or guard post in the Edo period.
Banya — meaning guardhouse or watch station, often occupational.
Barai — surname meaning purification or cleansing, with Shinto connections.
Bashō — meaning banana plant, famously used by poet Matsuo Bashō.
Basaki — rare surname, possibly meaning edge or tip of the field.
Bato — linked to the horse-headed deity Batō Kannon in Buddhism.
Befu — Japanese surname meaning wide bay or harbor.
Begumi — rare surname, possibly connected to a family group or association.
Bessho — meaning another place or separate dwelling, tied to landowners.
Bizen — from the historical province of Bizen in Okayama Prefecture.

African Surnames Beginning With B

African surnames are often rooted in language, ancestry, and cultural traditions. Looking at those starting with B shows names tied to family pride and deep meaning.

Babangida — Hausa origin, meaning master of the house or household leader.
Babalola — Yoruba surname, meaning father is wealth or father brings honor.
Babiker — Sudanese name of Arabic influence, often meaning early born.
Bacela — Xhosa surname meaning one who initiates or leads.
Badru — Swahili name meaning full moon or born during full moon.
Baguma — Ugandan surname meaning born after misfortune or survival.
Bahati — Swahili name meaning good luck or fortune.
Bakari — Swahili surname meaning promising or noble oath.
Baloyi — Tsonga surname tied to family clan identity.
Banda — common in Malawi and Zambia, meaning village or homestead.
Bangura — Sierra Leone surname of Temne origin, meaning hunter or protector.
Barasa — Kenyan name meaning council or assembly.
Bashiru — West African name of Arabic roots, meaning bringer of good news.
Biko — Xhosa surname, famously held by activist Steve Biko.
Bojang — Gambian surname from Mandinka origin, tied to family lineage.

Why Choose a Surname Starting With B?

Surnames beginning with B often carry a strong yet approachable sound that feels timeless. They are early in the alphabet, making them stand out without being overly common. Many of these names hold rich meanings tied to land, professions, or family heritage. Choosing one can feel both practical and deeply connected to tradition.

FAQs

1. How do last names beginning with B vary across cultures?

Last names beginning with B vary widely, with English B last names often tied to jobs, Irish names linked to clans, and African or Hispanic names reflecting land, ancestry, or traditions.

2. Are there rare B surnames people may not know about?

Yes, there are several surnames like Bagnall, Bessho, or Baguma that are less common and carry rich cultural and historical roots.

3. Can a B surname influence how people perceive you?

Sometimes it can. Names beginning with B often sound strong, approachable, and memorable, which may leave a positive impression.

Last names beginning with B carry a wide variety of stories, from humble occupations to noble titles. They connect people to their ancestors, landscapes, and cultural traditions that have stood the test of time. Whether English, Irish, Spanish, African, or Japanese, each B surname adds its own character and meaning. These names are not just identifiers but reminders of family journeys and shared history. Knowing about the surnames can help people feel more connected to their ancestry and proud of their heritage. Hence, surnames that start with B continue to stay evergreen, memorable, and full of life.

Also Read:

120 Last Names That Start With A
Last Names That Start With D
Surnames or Last Names That Start With ‘C’
Surnames or Last Names That Start With S

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About the Author

Rama Aiyer

Rama is a proud Delhiite with three years of content writing experience in her pocket. She is a commerce graduate with an advanced degree in the German language, but writing feels like home to her. When she is not writing,, you can probably find her researching on environment sustainability, devouring a novel, or exploring hidden nooks for delicious food around the city.