527+ Uncommon Last Names [Rare Last Names][With Meanings]

Rare and uncommon last names are those that are not frequently found in a given population or geographical area.

The characteristics of these names can vary depending on their origins, but some general traits include:

Uniqueness: Rare and uncommon last names are often distinct and unique, which means that they are not commonly shared by a large number of people. This can make them more memorable and interesting.
History: Many rare and uncommon last names have historical origins, often dating back centuries or even millennia. They may be associated with specific regions or cultures, and can offer insights into the ancestry and genealogy of the individuals who bear them.
Complexity: Some rare and uncommon last names can be complex and difficult to pronounce or spell, which can be a challenge for people who are not familiar with them. This can also make them more distinctive and memorable.
Prestige: In some cases, rare and uncommon last names may be associated with wealth, status, or other forms of social prestige. This can make them highly coveted by individuals who are seeking to enhance their personal or professional reputation.
Evolution: Rare and uncommon last names may undergo changes over time, as they are adapted to new languages or cultural contexts. This can create variations or alternate spellings of the same name, which can add to their diversity and complexity.

Table of Contents

Rarest Last Names

It is difficult to determine the rarest last names globally, as different countries have different naming traditions and populations.

However, some uncommon last names may include:

Zzyzx
Qiana
Vierra
Truglio
Pfister
Ngo
Lippincott
Kucera
Hsen
Fimbres
Eckberg
Choquette
Brousseau
Arquette
Wilke

These last names are not common in many countries, but they may be more frequently found in certain regions or ethnic communities.

It is also worth noting that a name’s rarity may change over time as naming trends and immigration patterns shift.

Overall, the rarity of a last name is less important than the personal connection and cultural significance it holds for you and your family.

Rare Surnames with Meaning

Here are some rare surnames with their meanings:

Abernathy – Scottish surname meaning “mouth of the river Nethy”
Baskin – Scottish surname meaning “little basin”
Cromwell – English surname meaning “crooked stream”
Darcy – Irish surname meaning “descendant of the dark one”
Endicott – English surname meaning “dweller at the end of the cottage”
Fairchild – English surname meaning “beautiful child”
Garland – English surname meaning “maker of garlands”
Haverford – Welsh surname meaning “ford of the oats
Kipling – English surname meaning “cypling” or “cub”
Llewellyn – Welsh surname meaning “leader of the army”
Montgomery – Norman French surname meaning “Gumarich’s mountain”
Pendleton – English surname meaning “town by the hill”
Quisenberry – English surname meaning “dweller by the thorn bush”
Rutherford – Scottish surname meaning “cattle ford”
Stanhope – English surname meaning “stony hollow”
Thackeray – English surname meaning “dweller by the thatched roof”
Underwood – English surname meaning “dweller in or near the forest”
Vanderbilt – Dutch surname meaning “of or from the hill”
Winslow – English surname meaning “hill with a meadow”
York – English surname meaning “yew tree estate”

These rare surnames can have interesting and unique meanings that reflect their historical and cultural origins.

They may also have variations or alternate spellings, depending on the language or region in which they are used.

Uncommon Last Names in the US (America)

Below are some uncommon last names in the United States:

Vierra
Truglio
Pfister
Ngo
Lippincott
Kucera
Hsen
Fimbres
Eckberg
Choquette
Brousseau
Arquette
Wilke
Havel
Beauregard

It is worth noting that last names can vary greatly in rarity depending on the geographic region and cultural community in the United States.

Some last names may be more common in certain parts of the country or among certain ethnic groups.

Most Uncommon Last Names

Determining the most uncommon last names is a difficult task as it can vary depending on the population and geographical area being considered.

However, here are some examples of rare and uncommon last names:

Bokal – Slovenian surname meaning “bull’s head”
Chevalier – French surname meaning “knight” or “horseman”
Dziewulski – Polish surname meaning “young man”
Etxeberria – Basque surname meaning “new house”
Fellenbaum – German surname meaning “pine tree”
Gjokaj – Albanian surname meaning “son of Gjok”
Hrvatin – Croatian surname meaning “Croatian person”
Iwamasa – Japanese surname meaning “rocky shore”
Jørgensen – Danish and Norwegian surname meaning “son of Jørgen”
Kovalenko – Ukrainian surname meaning “son of a blacksmith”
Lautenschläger – German surname meaning “loud striker” or “bell ringer”
Mikhaylov – Russian surname meaning “son of Mikhaylo”
Novotný – Czech and Slovak surname meaning “newcomer”
O’Murchadha – Irish surname meaning “descendant of Murchadh”
Pålsson – Swedish surname meaning “son of Pål”
Quesada – Spanish surname meaning “place where thorns grow”
Rósza – Hungarian surname meaning “rose”
Stępień – Polish surname meaning “steppe dweller”
Turchi – Italian surname meaning “Turkish”
Uyeda – Japanese surname meaning “above the valley”

These are just a few examples of rare and uncommon last names from various cultures and regions.

These names can be unique and distinctive, and often have interesting meanings that reflect their cultural and historical origins.

Uncommon Last Names in the 1800s

Here are some uncommon last names in the United States during the 1800s:

Hagen
Holmberg
Lundberg
Nilsson
Anderson
Peterson
Johansson
Carlson
Olsen
Svensson
Berg
Eriksson
Jansson
Gustafsson
Nilsson

These last names are of Scandinavian origin and were commonly found among immigrants from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark who settled in the United States during the 1800s.

They reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the United States and highlight the role that immigration has played in shaping the country’s history.

It is important to note that the popularity and rarity of last names can change over time due to factors such as immigration, intermarriage, and cultural assimilation.

Comparison: How Rare Is Your Last Name?

List of Uncommon Last Names

Below is a list of some uncommon last names:

Alcott
Ballentine
Carlisle
Duvall
Everhart
Featherstone
Goodenough
Hargrave
Isley
Jamison
Kennard
Larch
McKinney
Neville
Oberon
Pendragon
Quirke
Rafferty
St. Clair
Tremont
Upton
Vining
Winthrop
Xander
Yarrow
Zeller

These names are not commonly found in certain populations or geographical areas, which makes them unique and distinct.

Some of these names may have historical or cultural origins, while others may be invented or adapted.

These uncommon last names can add character and personality to a person’s identity.

List of Uncommon Last Names

Uncommon Last Names That Start With… (A-Z)

Some uncommon last names that start with each letter of the alphabet:

Adkinson
Arquette
Avendano

Beauregard
Brousseau
Brakefield

Choquette
Clinkscales
Cokeley

Demars
Delmonte
Donart

Eckberg
Eddleman
Eggebrecht

Fimbres
Fridley
Fingar

Gensler
Gerred
Glanz

Havel
Hsen
Huerta

Irizarry
Itzigsohn
Ibsen

Jannsen
Jehle
Jozwiak

Kucera
Kressler
Keirns

Lippincott
Ledet
Lohman

Meurer
Moraites
Milbrath

Ngo
Niedermeyer
Nefzger

Olsson
Olsen
O’Conner

Pfister
Poindexter
Poffenberger

Quance
Quillen
Quirke

Redington
Reifsteck
Rippel

Svensson
Sprecker
Spino

Truglio
Terhune
Throgmorton

Utecht
Ullrich
Umbenhauer

Vierra
Valtierra
Vanderhoof

Wilke
Wissing
Wohlfarth

Xanders
Ximenes
Xiques

Yuhas
Yacovone
Yerke

Zimlich
Zouzalik
Zook

These are just a few examples of uncommon last names that start with each letter of the alphabet.

The rarity of a last name can vary greatly depending on the geographic region and cultural community in which it is found, and naming trends can change over time.

Unique Last Names and Meanings

Here are some unique last names and their meanings:

Aalto – Finnish surname meaning “wave”
Boswell – English and Scottish surname meaning “well near the woods”
Calabrese – Italian surname meaning “from Calabria”
Deveraux – French surname meaning “from Evreux”
Evers – Dutch surname meaning “always”
Fairbanks – English surname meaning “fair banks”
Giordano – Italian surname meaning “Jordan”
Hartley – English surname meaning “stag meadow”
Ibsen – Danish and Norwegian surname meaning “son of Ibs”
Jovovich – Serbian surname meaning “son of Jovo”
Kaur – Punjabi surname meaning “princess”
Lefevre – French surname meaning “the smith”
Mendoza – Spanish surname meaning “cold mountain”
Novak – Czech and Slovak surname meaning “newcomer”
O’Connor – Irish surname meaning “descendant of Conchobhar”
Pacheco – Portuguese and Spanish surname meaning “peacock”
Quan – Chinese surname meaning “fist”
Reyes – Spanish surname meaning “kings”
Strauss – German surname meaning “ostrich”
Vandermeer – Dutch surname meaning “from the lake”

Uncommon Last Names with Meanings

Below are some uncommon last names with their meanings:

Adkinson: English origin, meaning “son of Adam”
Arquette: French origin, meaning “little altar”
Avendano: Spanish origin, meaning “place of the apricot tree”
Beauregard: French origin, meaning “beautiful gaze”
Brousseau: French origin, meaning “little brush”
Choquette: French origin, meaning “rock”
Clinkscales: English origin, meaning “descendant of the son of the healer”
Eckberg: German origin, meaning “edge of the mountain”
Gerred: German origin, meaning “spear ruler”
Havel: Czech origin, meaning “riverbank”
Ibsen: Norwegian origin, meaning “son of Ib”
Jannsen: Dutch origin, meaning “son of Jan”
Kressler: German origin, meaning “merchant”
Lippincott: English origin, meaning “person from Lippincott”
Milbrath: German origin, meaning “famous for courage”
Ngo: Vietnamese origin, meaning “bright”
Olsen: Scandinavian origin, meaning “descendant of Olaf”
Pfister: German origin, meaning “baker”
Quance: English origin, meaning “dweller at the oak tree”
Svensson: Scandinavian origin, meaning “son of Sven”

These are just a few examples of uncommon last names and their meanings.

The meaning and origin of last names can provide insight into family history, cultural heritage, and personal identity.

It is also worth noting that last names can have multiple meanings and interpretations depending on the language and cultural context in which they are used.

Fictional Surnames

Fictional surnames are last names that were created for fictional characters in literature, movies, TV shows, and other forms of media.

Here are some examples of fictional surnames:

Skywalker – from the Star Wars franchise
Potter – from the Harry Potter series
Stark – from the Game of Thrones TV show and book series
Underwood – from the House of Cards TV show and book series
Everdeen – from the Hunger Games series
Draper – from the Mad Men TV show
Swanson – from the Parks and Recreation TV show
Bundy – from the Married… with Children TV show
Corleone – from The Godfather movie and book series
Dursley – from the Harry Potter series
Huxtable – from the Cosby Show TV show
Addams – from the Addams Family TV show, movie, and cartoon series
McFly – from the Back to the Future movie series
Flintstone – from the Flintstones TV show and movie
Crane – from the Frasier TV show
Bundren – from the As I Lay Dying novel by William Faulkner
Wormwood – from the Matilda novel by Roald Dahl
Thatch – from the Atlantis: The Lost Empire movie
Poppins – from the Mary Poppins movie and book series
Muntz – from the Up movie

These fictional surnames are often memorable and have become iconic due to the popularity of the characters and media they are associated with.

They can add depth and dimension to a fictional character’s identity, and can even be used as inspiration for real-life names.

Uncommon Last Names for a Story

Below are ten uncommon last names with their meanings for you to consider:

Arintaya: Sanskrit name meaning “eternal king.”
Eilif: Scandinavian name meaning “ever-living.”
Fane: Romanian name meaning “God’s gracious gift.”
Gwendolyn: Welsh name meaning “blessed ring.”
Hyacinth: Greek name meaning “purple flower.”
Ilom: Native American name meaning “trust.”
Jaxon: English name meaning “son of Jack.”
Kael: Scottish name meaning “slender.”
Lyris: Greek name meaning “lyre.”
Maren: Scandinavian name meaning “sea.”

Uncommon Last Names in Canada

Some uncommon last names that are found in Canada:

Abouhalkah
Baskin
Céspedes
Di Giorgio
Ewasiuk
Froese
Gjokaj
Hryniw
Isfeld
Jang
Klosowski
Lepage
MacEachern
Nyenhuis
Ouelette
Piscopo
Quan
Ramdhanie
Simovitch
Trinier
Uppal
Van Vliet
Wasylyshen
Xanthoudakis
Yachetti
Zicherman

These uncommon last names in Canada may have various cultural, historical or linguistic origins.

They can add uniqueness and interest to a person’s identity, and reflect the diversity of Canada’s population.

Uncommon Last Names in Australia

Some uncommon last names that are found in Australia:

Alderuccio
Bishopp
Charisiou
Drakopoulos
Efstathiou
Fokas
Georgopoulos
Hadjinicolaou
Iannella
Kapiris
Lourandos
Makridis
Nikolaou
Papatheodorou
Raptis
Simopoulos
Tsigolaroff
Vassilopoulos
Xanthopoulos
Zervos

These uncommon last names in Australia may have Greek or other European origins, reflecting the country’s history of immigration and multiculturalism.

They can add interest and uniqueness to a person’s identity, and reflect the diversity of Australia’s population.

Uncommon Last Names

Uncommon Last Names in the UK (British)

Here are ten uncommon British last names for you to consider:

Barrowclough: English name meaning “meadow near a hill.”
Chilvers: English name meaning “place where wildflowers grow.”
Dallimore: English name meaning “valley covered in woodland.”
Elstone: English name meaning “elder tree settlement.”
Fenwick: English name meaning “marshy land in a river bend.”
Goudie: Scottish name meaning “good deed.”
Henman: English name meaning “hen settler.”
Izzard: English name meaning “iron arrowhead.”
Jepson: English name meaning “son of Jeffery.”
Keirle: English name meaning “marshy meadow.”

Japanese Uncommon Last Names

Here are some uncommon Japanese last names with their meanings:

Amari (天地): Refers to the universe or the world.
Chikamori (近森): Means “near the forest.”
Daidouji (大道寺): Refers to a Buddhist temple.
Fushimi (伏見): Refers to a place where one bows down or prostrates.
Hayashi (林): Refers to a forest or woods.
Inoue (井上): Refers to “above the well.”
Kishimoto (岸本): Refers to a place near the shore or a riverbank.
Maehara (前原): Refers to a field in front of a village or town.
Nakamura (中村): Refers to a central village.
Omura (大村): Refers to a large village.
Saeki (佐伯): Refers to a place near a river or stream.
Takahashi (高橋): Refers to a tall bridge.
Ueda (上田): Refers to an upper rice field.
Yamamoto (山本): Refers to the root or base of a mountain.
Yoshida (吉田): Refers to a lucky or fortunate rice field.

Italian Uncommon Last Names

Below are some Italian uncommon last names with their meanings:

Abbasciano – derived from the Latin word “abbas” meaning “abbot”, denoting someone who was associated with the clergy.
Bellacosa – a name that means “beautiful thing”, possibly denoting someone with an attractive appearance or personality.
Capano – a name that refers to a “merchant” or “shopkeeper”.
D’Orsi – a surname that means “of the bear”, possibly indicating a family emblem with a bear on it.
Esposito – a name that means “exposed” or “foundling”, denoting a child who was left at an orphanage or found on the streets.
Faraone – a name that means “pharaoh”, possibly indicating an ancestor who had an interest in ancient Egyptian culture or history.
Giudice – a name that means “judge”, indicating that the family may have had a member who was a judge or had some association with the legal system.
Iacobucci – derived from the Hebrew name “Jacob”, meaning “supplanter” or “usurper”.
La Spina – a name that means “the thorn”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many thorn bushes or had a prickly personality.
Magro – a surname that means “thin” or “slender”, possibly indicating a family member with a lean build or a frugal lifestyle.
Napolitano – a name that means “from Naples”, indicating a family’s geographical origin in the city of Naples or its surrounding areas.
Orlandi – a name that means “from the land of gold”, possibly indicating an ancestor who came from a place known for its gold reserves.
Papaleo – a name that means “pope lion”, possibly indicating an ancestor who had some association with the papacy or the Vatican.
Quattrocchi – a name that means “four eyes”, possibly indicating an ancestor who wore spectacles or had a unique physical trait such as a prominent brow or a large nose.
Rizzo – a name that means “curly-haired”, possibly indicating an ancestor with curly hair or a distinctive hairstyle.
Santoro – a name that means “saint”, indicating a family’s religious beliefs or association with a particular saint.
Trombetta – a name that means “little trumpet”, possibly indicating an ancestor who played a musical instrument or had a loud, commanding voice.
Valente – a name that means “valiant” or “courageous”, indicating a family’s values or reputation for bravery.
Zavaglia – a name that means “sewing basket”, possibly indicating an ancestor who worked in the textile or garment industry.

Spanish Uncommon Last Names

Below are some rare Spanish last names:

Aguinaldo – derived from the Spanish word “aguinaldo”, meaning “Christmas bonus” or “gift”.
Barriga – a name that means “belly”, possibly indicating an ancestor with a large stomach or a jovial personality.
Cepeda – a name that means “wooded hill”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived near or owned a wooded area.
Durán – a name that means “hard”, “durable” or “resilient”.
Espinosa – a name that means “thorny”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many thorn bushes or had a prickly personality.
Fajardo – a name that means “belted”, possibly indicating an ancestor who wore a belt or had a profession that required a belt.
Galindo – derived from the Germanic name “Walah”, meaning “foreigner” or “stranger”.
Hinojosa – a name that means “hawthorn”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many hawthorn bushes.
Iturbe – a name that means “on the path”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived near or owned a path or roadway.
Jara – a name that means “rock rose”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in an area with many rock roses or had a connection to the flower.
Linares – a name that means “flax fields”, possibly indicating an ancestor who owned or worked in a field where flax was grown.
Medina – a name that means “city”, indicating a family’s origin in a particular city or their association with urban life.
Noguera – a name that means “walnut grove”, possibly indicating an ancestor who owned or worked in a grove of walnut trees.
Ordoñez – a name that means “descendant of Ordoño”, a common medieval Spanish name.
Pizarro – a name that may derive from “pica y arroja” meaning “stab and throw”, possibly indicating an ancestor who was skilled in fighting.
Quezada – a name that means “fortified place”, possibly indicating an ancestor who lived in or owned a fortified area or castle.
Ruiz – a name that means “famous wolf”, indicating a family’s association with the wolf or the wolf’s qualities of strength, cunning, and ferocity.
Serrano – a name that means “from the mountains”, indicating a family’s origin in a mountainous region.
Ulloa – a name that means “wolf fur”, possibly indicating an ancestor who worked in the fur trade or had a connection to the wolf.

French Uncommon Last Names

Here are some rare French last names along with their meanings:

Allard – derived from the Germanic personal name Alard, meaning “noble strength.”
Boucher – means “butcher” in French.
Desrochers – means “of the rocks” or “rocky.”
Gagnon – means “winner” or “gain.”
Landry – means “ruler” or “landowner.”
Morin – derived from the personal name Morino, meaning “dark-skinned.”
Nadeau – means “new” or “of recent origin.”
Paquette – means “little pack.”
Royer – means “king” or “ruler.”
Tremblay – means “trembling” or “shaking.”

These are just a few examples of uncommon French last names.

The meanings of last names can often provide insight into the family’s background, occupation, and cultural heritage.

Russian Uncommon Last Names

Here are some rare Russian surnames:

Avdeev – derived from the first name “Avdey”, which means “servant” or “worshipper”.
Belousov – a name that means “white-haired” or “fair-haired”.
Chepurnoy – a name that means “curly-haired”, possibly indicating an ancestor with curly hair.
Dolgov – a name that means “long-haired”, possibly indicating an ancestor with long hair.
Egorov – derived from the first name “Yegor” or “Georgy”, which means “farmer” or “earth-worker”.
Frolov – derived from the first name “Frol”, which means “happy” or “merry”.
Golubev – derived from the word “golub'”, meaning “pigeon” or “dove”.
Ignatov – derived from the first name “Ignatiy”, which means “fiery” or “ardent”.
Kuznetsov – derived from the word “kuznets”, meaning “blacksmith”.
Lebedev – derived from the word “lebed'”, meaning “swan”.
Maksimov – derived from the first name “Maksim”, which means “greatest” or “largest”.
Nikonov – derived from the first name “Nikon”, which means “victor” or “conqueror”.
Ovchinnikov – derived from the word “ovchinnik”, meaning “shepherd” or “herder”.
Pankratov – derived from the first name “Pankrat”, which means “all-powerful” or “almighty”.
Rozhkov – derived from the word “rozh'”, meaning “horn”.
Semyonov – derived from the first name “Semyon”, which means “hearing” or “listener”.
Timofeev – derived from the first name “Timofey”, which means “honoring God” or “fearing God”.
Utkin – derived from the word “utka”, meaning “duck”.
Volkov – derived from the word “volk”, meaning “wolf”.

German Uncommon Last Names

Here are some uncommon German last names along with their meanings:

Albrecht – means “noble brightness.”
Bauer – means “farmer” or “peasant.”
Dietrich – means “ruler of the people.”
Engel – means “angel” or “messenger.”
Fiedler – means “fiddler” or “musician.”
Gabel – means “fork.”
Haase – means “hare.”
Jäger – means “hunter.”
Kappel – means “chapel” or “small church.”
Lohmann – means “man from the clearing in the woods.”

These names often reflect the family’s occupation or origin, providing a glimpse into their cultural heritage.

German last names can have a variety of origins, including geographical, occupational, and personal names.

Chinese Uncommon Last Names

Here are some rare Chinese last names:

Cai (蔡) – meaning “vegetable garden” or “vegetable patch
Fang (方) – meaning “square” or “right angle”
Guo (郭) – meaning “outer wall” or “enclosure”
Hu (胡) – meaning “barbarian” or “foreigner”
Jiang (姜) – meaning “ginger” or “aromatic”
Lai (赖) – meaning “rely on” or “depend on”
Lei (雷) – meaning “thunder”
Lu (卢) – meaning “cottage” or “hut”
Qiu (邱) – meaning “hill” or “mound”
Shen (沈) – meaning “to sink” or “to submerge”
Tai (邰) – meaning “place name” or “surname of an ancient official”
Wei (韦) – meaning “tanned leather”
Xue (薛) – meaning “brier” or “bramble”
Yan (严) – meaning “strict” or “severe”
Zhang (章) – meaning “chapter” or “section”

Korean Uncommon Last Names

Below are some uncommon Korean last names, along with their meanings:

Bae (裴) – inspiration
Bang (방) – room
Byun (秉) – to grasp
Chae (蔡) – mulberry
Choi (崔) – a high mountain
Doh (都) – capital
Ha (夏) – summer
Jang (张) – to open
Jeong (鄭) – sincere
Jo (趙) – surpassing
Kang (姜) – ginger
Koo (顧) – to look back
Lee (李) – plum
Min (閔) – compassionate
Nam (南) – south
Oh (吳) – second son
Park (朴) – simple
Seo (徐) – slow and steady
Son (孫) – grandson
Woo (胡) – great; magnificent

Note: The meanings are based on the Hanja characters used in the name, which are Chinese characters used in written Korean. The pronunciation and meaning of the name may vary slightly depending on the context and usage.

Uncommon Black Last Names

Here are some uncommon Black last names with their meanings:

Akande – Yoruba origin meaning “first born”
Ayodele – Yoruba origin meaning “joy has come home”
Chisom – Igbo origin meaning “God accompanies me”
Ezeudu – Igbo origin meaning “king of the people”
Ifeanyi – Igbo origin meaning “nothing is impossible with God”
Iheanacho – Igbo origin meaning “what I have been looking for”
Ijeoma – Igbo origin meaning “safe journey”
Olumide – Yoruba origin meaning “my God has come”
Onyekachi – Igbo origin meaning “who is greater than God?”
Osei – Akan origin meaning “noble” or “honorable”

It’s worth noting that last names can have multiple meanings and origins, and may have evolved over time, so these meanings are not necessarily exhaustive or definitive.

Uncommon European Last Names

Some uncommon European last names along with their meanings:

Alderisi – Italian origin meaning “son of Aldo”
Baudouin – French origin meaning “bold friend”
Calovski – Slavic origin meaning “son of a blacksmith”
Diercks – German origin meaning “ruler of the people”
Eilertsen – Scandinavian origin meaning “son of Eilert”
Fjellstrom – Swedish origin meaning “stream from the mountain”
Gudmundsdottir – Icelandic origin meaning “daughter of Gudmund”
Hætta – Norwegian origin meaning “risk taker”
Ildefons – Spanish origin meaning “eager for peace”
Jaskiewicz – Polish origin meaning “son of Jasko”
Kjellberg – Swedish origin meaning “mountain stronghold”
Leijonhufvud – Swedish origin meaning “lion’s head”
Møllerup – Danish origin meaning “mill farm”
Nesheim – Norwegian origin meaning “headland home”
Ojala – Finnish origin meaning “hopeful”
Petkova – Bulgarian origin meaning “son of Petko”
Qvarnstrom – Swedish origin meaning “mill stream”
Rantala – Finnish origin meaning “place of the border”
Sandsten – Swedish origin meaning “sandstone”
Tveiten – Norwegian origin meaning “meadow farm”.

Uncommon Irish Last Names

Here are some uncommon Irish last names:

Conneely – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Conghaile”, meaning “descendant of Conghal”
Duignan – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Duibhghinn”, meaning “descendant of Duibhghinn”
Grehan – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Gréacháin”, meaning “descendant of Gréachán”
Kehoe – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Céadaigh”, meaning “descendant of Céadach”
Mulry – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Maoilriagh”, meaning “descendant of Maoilriagh”
Nulty – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Nultúin”, meaning “descendant of Nultún”
Toal – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Tuathail”, meaning “descendant of Tuathal”
Tormey – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Ó Tormaigh”, meaning “descendant of Tormach”
Trant – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Mac Thréinfhir”, meaning “son of the strong man”
Wardlow – an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “Mac an Bhaird Láir”, meaning “son of the middle bard”

It’s worth noting that last names in Ireland can have multiple spellings and variations, and some may have evolved over time or been anglicized from their original Gaelic forms.

Rare Polish Last Names

Below are some rare Polish last names:

Chlebek – means “bread roll”
Czarnik – means “blacksmith”
Dziedzic – means “heir”
Kłosowski – means “wheat field”
Lulewicz – derived from the given name “Ludwik”
Niedźwiecki – means “bear-like”
Olejarz – means “oil maker”
Rokosz – means “rebellion”
Siwek – means “grey-haired”
Szpakowski – means “son of a magpie”

It’s worth noting that last names in Poland can have multiple spellings and variations, and some may have evolved over time or been derived from various sources, including occupations, personal traits, or geographic locations.

Rare Greek Last Names

Here’s a list of some uncommon Greek last names:

Adraktas – meaning “thorny”
Bletsas – meaning “little bow”
Chatzigiannis – meaning “long life”
Daskalopoulos – meaning “teacher’s son”
Eleftheriadis – meaning “son of freedom”
Fotinopoulos – meaning “son of Fotis”
Galanis – meaning “milkman”
Halkias – meaning “farmer”
Ioannidis – meaning “son of Ioannis”
Karydis – meaning “nut tree”
Laskaris – meaning “soldier of the people”
Mavridis – meaning “son of Mavris”
Ntoulas – meaning “fir tree”
Oikonomou – meaning “economist”
Papadimitriou – meaning “son of Dimitrios”
Quirinus – meaning “curly haired”
Roussos – meaning “red-haired”
Sideris – meaning “ironworker”
Tzortzis – meaning “gardener”
Vassilopoulos – meaning “son of Vasilis”

Very Rare Last Names

Here are some very rare last names:

Zzyzx – reportedly the last name of only two individuals in the United States, it was created for a town in California as a marketing gimmick in the 1940s
Clouston – a Scottish last name that originated from the Orkney Islands, it is now quite rare and mostly found in Scotland and Canada
Dzyuba – a Ukrainian last name that means “stump,” it is rare outside of Ukraine
Gjoka – an Albanian last name that means “oak tree,” it is rare outside of Albania
Hoxha – an Albanian last name that means “teacher,” it is rare outside of Albania and Kosovo
Jędrysik – a Polish last name that originated from the region of Silesia, it is quite rare even in Poland
Kovalyov – a Russian last name that means “blacksmith,” it is rare outside of Russia and neighboring countries
Onoda – a Japanese last name that is now quite rare, it was once more common in the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures
Tarnawski – a Polish last name that originated from the region of Lesser Poland, it is now quite rare even in Poland
Zolotov – a Russian last name that means “golden,” it is rare outside of Russia and neighboring countries.

It’s worth noting that the rarity of a last name can depend on various factors, including its geographic distribution, historical origins, and demographic trends.

FAQs – Uncommon Last Names

What are some uncommon last names?

Some uncommon last names:

Jesperson
Kjellberg
Whitley
Ohlsen
Paredes
Tibbetts
Åkesson
Uppman
Glaeser
Mandone

What makes a last name rare?

There are several factors that can contribute to a last name being considered rare:

Uncommon spelling or pronunciation: Last names that are spelled or pronounced in a way that is uncommon or distinct from more common last names may be considered rare.
Low frequency: Last names that are held by a small number of people, particularly within a specific geographic region, may be considered rare.
Unusual origins: Last names that have an unusual or obscure origin, or that are associated with a specific historical or cultural context, may be considered rare.
Evolution over time: Last names that have changed significantly over time, or that have been subject to variations in spelling or pronunciation, may be considered rare.
Demographic trends: Last names that are not commonly passed down through family lines, or that are more common in certain ethnic or cultural groups, may be considered rare.

It’s important to note that what is considered a rare last name can vary depending on the context, culture, and geographic region in question. A last name that is rare in one country or language may be more common in another.

What is the rarest last name?

Zzyzx is held by only two individuals in the US, it’s believed.

What are the 10 most uncommon names?

Some of the most uncommon names:

Jesperson
Kjellberg
Whitley
Ohlsen
Paredes
Tibbetts
Åkesson
Uppman
Glaeser
Mandone
Zzyzx

What are royal last names?

In many monarchies, royal families often adopt a specific surname or dynastic name to reflect their royal heritage. Here are a few examples of royal last names from different countries:

Windsor – The current royal family of the United Kingdom, who were originally known as Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, changed their name to Windsor in 1917.
Grimaldi – The ruling family of Monaco are known as the House of Grimaldi, and have held the throne since 1297.
Bernadotte – The current ruling dynasty of Sweden, the House of Bernadotte, has been in power since 1818.
Habsburg – The House of Habsburg was one of the most powerful royal dynasties in Europe, ruling over Austria, Spain, and many other territories for centuries.
Glücksburg – The current ruling family of Denmark, the House of Glücksburg, has held the throne since 1863.
Battenberg – This was the surname adopted by a branch of the British royal family in 1917, and was later changed to Mountbatten in 1947.
Orleans – The House of Orleans is a branch of the Bourbon dynasty, which has provided several rulers for France over the years.
Hohenzollern – The House of Hohenzollern was the royal family of Prussia and the German Empire, and also ruled over Romania for a time.
Wettin – The House of Wettin was the ruling dynasty of Saxony, as well as several other European states, for centuries.
Nassau – The House of Nassau has provided rulers for Luxembourg and the Netherlands, and is also a cadet branch of the Belgian royal family.

How rare is my last name? (Explain that Smith is the most common last name and give its frequency, then say last name is rarer than that)

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, Smith is the most common last name in the United States, with over 4 million people having this last name.

This means that Smith is held by around 1.5% of the US population.

Assuming that your last name is rarer than Smith, it would mean that fewer than 1.5% of people in the US have your last name.

Depending on the specific rarity of your last name, it may be held by only a few hundred people, or it may be held by several thousand people.

It’s worth noting that the rarity of a last name can also vary depending on the country or region in question, so the relative rarity of your last name may be different in other parts of the world.

Additionally, it’s possible that there are other people who share your last name but spell it differently, which can make it more difficult to estimate the exact level of rarity.

Conclusion – Uncommon Last Names

Uncommon or rare last names are often interesting and varied in origin.

They can be derived from a variety of sources such as regional origins, occupations, nicknames, and even physical characteristics.

These names can help tell us about the history of a family and its members; for instance, someone with the surname “Smith” might be descended from a blacksmith.

Other less common last names may have been created by spelling peculiarities, who misheard or misinterpreted their name when it was first given to them.

Moreover, some rare last names originate from religious affiliations or ancestral customs – families may have adapted to different cultures over time and these influences can be seen in their surnames.

Finally, rare last names may also be invented by parents hoping to give their child an individualistic name that stands out from the crowd.

Overall, these unusual surnames offer us a unique glimpse into our family’s heritage and history and help make each person’s identity unique.

527+ Uncommon Last Names [Rare Last Names][With Meanings]

Rarest Last Names

Rare Surnames with Meaning

Uncommon Last Names in the US (America)

Most Uncommon Last Names