Foreign last names are filled with family history and cultural references, providing insight into linguistic differences between countries. This guide lists foreign last names from around the world for those seeking to learn about international surnames or looking for a last name for a fictional character.
Foreign Last Names by Nationality
A foreign last name is a surname that originates in a country outside of the United States and otherwise does not have extensive use in the US. While most last names did not originate on this continent, the last names we present here are very widely used by families from around the globe. These last names come from cultures and communities across the world. Many have found themselves rightfully drawn to foreign last names because of their unique beauty, elegant sounds, and deep meanings. These last names showcase various meanings, including cultural lore, occupations, nature, geography, and religious practices. Hearing foreign last names has become more widespread due to growing multiculturalism, migration, and a rising interest in travel, connecting people around the globe.
A foreign last name helps connect people to their ancestral heritage, and they symbolize a connection to homelands over great distances and an imbued sense of belonging. Our researchers have examined records from countries and cultures across the globe to create these lists. In this guide, you will find the most popular and common last names and surnames from countries across the world.
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American Last Names
- Smith – Worker in metal
- Johnson – Son of John
- Williams – Son of William
- Brown – Person with brown hair or complexion
- Jones – John’s son
- Garcia – Bear or young warrior
- Miller – Grinder of grain
See all 554 American Last Names
Japanese Last Names
- Sato – Village
- Suzuki – Small bell tree
- Tanaka – Middle of the rice paddy
- Watanabe – Cross the border or ford
- Takahashi – High bridge
- Ito – Thread
- Yamamoto – Base of the mountain
See all 557 Japanese Last Names
Korean Last Names
- Kim – Gold
- Lee – Plum tree
- Park – Magnolia tree
- Jeong – Quiet, still, gentle
- Choi – Mountain
- Cho – An ancestor
- Kang – Ginger
See all 305 Korean Last Names
Chinese Last Names
- Lǐ – Plum – 李
- Wáng – King – 王
- Zhāng – Archer – 张
- Liú – Willow – 刘
- Chén – Ancient – 陈
- Yáng – Poplar – 杨
- Zhào – An ancient state – 赵
See all 257 Chinese Last Names
French Last Names
- Martin – Descendant of Mars, God of war
- Bernard – Strong or brave as a bear
- Dubois – From the wood, forest
- Thomas – Twin
- Robert – Bright fame
- Richard – Brave ruler
- Petit – Small
See all 525 French Last Names
Italian Last Names
- Rossi – Red
- Russo – Russian
- Ferrari – Blacksmith
- Esposito – Exposed, Foundling
- Colombo – Dove
- Bianchi – White
- Romano – Roman
See all 563 Italian Last Names
German Last Names
- Müller – Miller
- Schmidt – Smith
- Schneider – Tailor
- Fischer – Fisherman
- Weber – Weaver
- Meyer – Farm administrator or Bailiff
- Wagner – Wagon maker
See all 450 German Last Names
Spanish Last Names
- Garcia – Son of Garcia
- Rodriguez – Son of Rodrigo
- Gonzalez – Son of Gonzalo
- Fernandez – Son of Fernando
- Lopez – Son of Lope
- Martinez – Son of Martin
- Sanchez – Son of Sancho
See all 457 Spanish Last Names
Mexican Last Names
- Hernández – Son of Hernando
- García – Bear or young bear
- Martínez – Son of Martin
- López – Son of Lope, meaning wolf
- González – Son of Gonzalo
- Pérez – Son of Pedro or Peter
- Rodríguez – Son of Rodrigo
See all 513 Mexican Last Names
Hispanic Last Names
- Hernandez – Son of Hernan
- Garcia – Son of Garcia
- Lopez – Son of Lope
- Martinez – Son of Martin
- Rodriguez – Son of Rodrigo
- Gonzalez – Son of Gonzalo
- Perez – Son of Pedro
See all 450 Hispanic Last Names
Colombian Last Names
- Rodríguez – Son of Rodrigo
- Martínez – Son of Martín
- García – Son of García, Bear
- Gómez – Son of Gome or Gomo
- López – Son of Lope
- González – Son of Gonzalo
- Hernández – Son of Hernando or Hernán
See all 350 Colombian Last Names
Indian Last Names
- Devi – Goddess
- Singh – Lion
- Kumar – Young Boy
- Das – Servant or Devotee
- Kaur – Princess
- Ram – God Rama
- Yadav – Descendant of Yadu
See all 416 Indian Last Names
Russian Last Names
- Ivanova – Daughter of Ivan
- Ivanov – Son of Ivan
- Kuznetsova – Daughter of a blacksmith
- Kuznetsov – Son of a blacksmith
- Petrov – Son of Peter
- Smirnova – Peaceful woman
- Magomedov – Son of Magomed
See all 467 Russian Last Names
Greek Last Names
- Papadopoulos – Son of a Priest
- Papadopoulou – Daughter of a Priest
- Papageorgiou – Son of Priest George
- Oikonomou – Housekeeper or Steward
- Papadimitriou – Son of Priest Dimitrios
- Georgiou – Son of George
- Papaioannou – Son of Priest John
See all 503 Greek Last Names
Irish Last Names
- Murphy – Sea warrior
- Kelly – Warrior
- Byrne – Descendant of Bran, raven
- Walsh – Foreigner, Welshman
- Ryan – Little king
- O’Brien – Descendant of Brian
- O’Connor – Descendant of Conchobhar, lover of hounds
See all 548 Irish Last Names
English Last Names
- Smith – Worker in metal
- Jones – John’s son
- Taylor – Tailor
- Brown – Person with brown hair or complexion
- Williams – Son of William
- Wilson – Son of Will
- Johnson – Son of John
See all 449 English Last Names
Welsh Last Names
- Jones – Son of John
- Davies – Son of David
- Williams – Son of William
- Evans – Son of Evan
- Thomas – Son of Tom
- Roberts – Son of Robert
- Lewis – Son of Llew
See all 214 Welsh Last Names
Swedish Last Names
- Andersson – Son of Anders
- Johansson – Son of Johan
- Karlsson – Son of Karl
- Nilsson – Son of Nils
- Eriksson – Son of Erik
- Larsson – Son of Lars
- Olsson – Son of Olof
See all 350 Swedish Last Names
Danish Last Names
- Nielsen – Son of Niels
- Jensen – Son of Jens
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Andersen – Son of Anders
- Pedersen – Son of Peder
- Christensen – Son of Christen
- Larsen – Son of Lars
See all 394 Danish Last Names
Norwegian Last Names
- Hansen – Son of Hans
- Johansen – Son of Johan
- Olsen – Son of Ole
- Larsen – Son of Lars
- Andersen – Son of Anders
- Pedersen – Son of Peder
- Nilsen – Son of Nils
See all 405 Norwegian Last Names
