Last names that are adaptable and lively, and that honor a diverse cultural background.
Native Americans were living in America before European settlers arrived in the 15th century. As a result, Native American last names have a mix of different traditions and cultures. They had various clans and tribes, each with its own unique culture, beliefs, language, and traditions. Different tribes had different practices when it came to naming individuals, with some sticking to traditional names while others adopted European surnames. Traditional names often reflected where a person lived, their clan, or their occupation, and over time, names influenced by Portuguese, French, and Spanish cultures became common among Native Americans. Below is a list of traditional Native American last names and their meanings.
Traditional Native American Surnames or Last Names
Some surnames are from different cultures and nations, including those of people who settled in America long ago.
- Alberty
The surname Alberty symbolized someone who was well-known in various areas. It is an Americanized version of the Italian surname Alberti, belonging to a family that relocated to the US during the 1920s.
- Alexander
The surname Alexander came from Scotland and was first changed to English from the Scottish Gaelic name MacAlasdair. It was brought to America by European settlers. The name means ‘protector of men’ or ‘victor over enemies.’
- Bernard
Bernard or Bernhard is a common surname for men that comes from France and West Germany. The name is made up of two parts, ‘bear’ and ‘hard,’ which means someone who is courageous or tough. This surname from Native American culture symbolizes strength similar to that of a bear.
- Branham
Branham comes from the merging of ‘brom,’ which means ‘broom,’ and ‘ham’ or ‘hamm,’ which means ‘homestead’ or ‘river meadow’ in Old English.
- Cornfield
This last name was used for Native Americans who worked in a cornfield.
- Deere
The last name Deere is both a Native American and English surname. This surname also has Irish origins as a variation of the name Dwyer.
- Denton
The open creeks and prairies in Denton County were where several native tribes lived. These Native Americans in Denton County started using the last name Denton as either a habitational or geographical name.
- Eubank
Eubank is a surname that comes from England and describes someone who lives close to a bank or ridge with yew trees. This name is made up of the words ‘yew’ and ‘bank’ in Old English.
- Gaylord
The surname Gaylord means a stylish or lively and upbeat person. This name comes from England. Another version of this last name is Gaillard.
- Hensley
Hensley is a surname that means ‘stallion’ or ‘horse’ in some Native American languages. It could also be a name based on a specific location in the UK where settlers named Hensley came from.
- Holt
Holt is a last name that comes from Proto-Germanic language and is connected to a small group of trees. It probably arrived in America with European immigrants and then was used by Native Americans.
- Irving’
The last name Irving, which means ‘water,’ originated in Scotland. It could also be a name based on a specific location, possibly one of the many places named Irving in the United States.
- Kipp
This surname of Native American origin comes from the Middle English word Kipp. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word ‘Cyppe,’ which means ‘to swell.’
- Lewis
The last name Lewis is of Native American origin and it symbolizes success. It probably originated from the Old German name Ludwig, which means renowned battle.
- Maize
Maize is a sur name given to people who harvest maize or corn. It comes from the Spanish word ‘Maiz,’ which means maize or corn.
- Paddock
The surname Paddock, common among Native Americans, comes from Middle English. It originally meant a small enclosure for horses, known as a ‘parrock.’ It could also be a name based on where someone lived, near a paddock.
Ancient Native American Last Names
Ancient Native American surnames used to be traditional but eventually fell out of fashion. Despite their interesting past, these surnames can be difficult to come across nowadays.
- Arrow
In the past, Native Americans mainly hunted using bows and arrows. The last name given to those hunters is considered an occupational surname.
- Blackrock
A Native American family in the Black Rock area started using the last name Blackrock.
- Bravebird
This last name was created by combining two words, brave and bird. It comes from the characteristics of a bird of prey, like an eagle, and describes someone with the noble qualities of that bird.
- Chubbuck
The surname Chubbuck is a variation of the German name ‘Schubach,’ which means ‘fur.’ This name likely identified someone in the fur trade. Chubbuck is also the name of a city in Bannock County, Idaho, and could be related to the geography of that area as a surname.
- Countryman
The last name of this Native American family was based on where they lived in the country. This surname, which is derived from a place name, has been passed down through generations and is still widely used today.
- Filemonsen
Filemonsen is a American surname from Scandinavia that refers to someone being the son of Filemon. The baby name Filemon originates from the Greek name Philemon, which means loving or caring.
- Huaman
This native surname comes from ancient Peru before the arrival of the Spanish. Huaman is a different form of Guaman or Waman, and refers to a type of hawks or falcons. The baby name originates from the Quechua language spoken in South America.
- Pompey
Pompey was a Roman general and statesman who played a crucial role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. The Americanized version of the Italian surname Pompei refers to someone from a place called Pompei in Italy. The baby name Pompei is believed to have originated from Sabellic languages and may have originally meant five.
- Summerhill
Summerhill is a surname that originates from England and is formed by combining the words ‘summer’ and ‘hill.’ This baby name probably describes someone who lived near a hill where cattle grazed during the summer months.
- Swiftwater
Numerous Native American last names come from areas near bodies of water. For example, the surname Swiftwater comes from a family who lived near fast-moving waters.
- Thunderhawk
Ancient Native Americans were known for their hunting skills. The name Thunderhawk combines the strength of thunder with the diligence of a hawk.
- Vance
Vance is a surname that originates from Ireland and England. It comes from the word ‘fen,’ which means ‘marsh.’ This surname is used to describe someone who lives near a marsh or fen.
- Warcloud
The surname comes from the words ‘war’ and ‘cloud.’ It might have been used as a title for Native American war chiefs.
- Welch
The Native American surname has its origins in English and is used to describe someone of Welsh descent. This last name may also have come from the surname Walsh, which is derived from Old English and signifies someone who is not from the country.
Navajo Last Names
The Native American tribe known as the Navajo lived in the Southwestern region of the United States. Within the Navajo Nation, last names were either descriptive names or clan names translated into English.
- Acothley
The surname Acothley comes from Native American roots and translates to ‘cowboy.’
- Adakai
In the language of Native Americans, Adakai was a term used to describe someone who gambles or plays cards.
- Begay
The last name Begay comes from the Navajo word ‘biye,’ which translates to ‘his son.’
- Benally
The surname comes from the Navajo term ‘binálÃ,’ which means ‘his grandchild.’ Binali originates from ‘análÃ,’ which specifically denotes a paternal grandchild.
- Bitsuie
Bitsuie is a surname that comes from the word ‘bitsóÃ,’ which translates to ‘his grandchild.’ This last name is commonly used by Native Americans and Native Alaskans.
- Bylilly
The surname Bylilly is derived from two Navajo words: ‘bá’ which means ‘him’ and ‘álÃlee’ which means ‘magical power.’ It was believed by Native tribes that certain individuals possessed magical abilities. As a result, the last name Bylilly was likely given to those individuals.
- Cly
The surname Cly comes from the Navajo word ‘tlaai,’ which means ‘the left-handed.’
- Etsitty
Etsitty was the surname of a Native American person who was known for pounding things like meat. In Navajo culture, this last name signifies the act of pounding.
- Hatathli
In the Navajo culture, the word ‘Hatathli’ translates to ‘medicine man’ and is believed to have identified someone who practiced healing techniques, similar to a shaman.
- Nakai
The surname Nakai means someone who wanders, and in this context, it probably described the hunters or gatherers in the tribe.
- Nez
The surname Nez means ‘tall’ or ‘big’ and is a frequently used last name among Native American Navajo people.’
- Peshlakai
The surname Peshlakai comes from Native American heritage and is interpreted as something that is shiny and silvery.
- Tabaaha
The surname Tabaaha comes from the Navajo clan and has Native American roots. The name originated from the word ‘tabÄ…Ä…h,’ which means ‘shore’ or ‘beach,’ referring to people living on the water’s edge.
- Tsinajinnie
The surname is derived from a Native American clan who spoke the Navajo language. Tsinajinnie translates to ‘black-streak clan.’
- Tsosie
Tsosie is a Native American last name that comes from the suffix ‘-tsʼósÃ’ meaning ‘slender’ or ‘slim.’ It is commonly used among the Navajo people.
- Uentillie
This surname of Native American origin comes from the Navajo term ‘ayóÃ,’ which translates to ‘very,’ and ‘ánÃldÃÃl,’ which means ‘large.’
- Uskilith
This Navajo last name is a shorter form of ‘Guyuskilith,’ which comes from the word ‘ashkiilgaii,’ translating to ‘white boy.’
- Yazzie
Yazzie comes from the Native American Navajo word ‘yázhÃ,’ which means ‘little’ or ‘the little one.’
Apache Last Names
The Apache were Native American groups that lived in the southwestern US. They have strong cultural ties to many other tribes and are believed to be related to the Navajo.
- Altaha
Altaha is a surname of Native American origin from the Apache tribe. It was commonly used by individuals who worked as stockmen.
- Apache
The last name Apache is derived from the Native American tribe known as Apache. The name Apache originates from the Zuni language spoken by Native Americans. In the Zuni language, Apache translates to ‘Navajos.’
- Chatto
Chatto is a name that comes from Scotland and is often used to refer to places in the southern part of the country.
- Cosay
Apaches who lived at the White Mountain Apache Reservation were called the Cosay surname.
- Dosela
Dosela is a surname that many Native American tribes in the Southwest, like the Apache, share.
- Ethelbah
The last name Apache was discovered among Native Americans living on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
- Goseyun
Goseyun was a common surname among the people living on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
- Mescal
The surname ‘Mescalero’ originates from the Mescalero Apache tribe, who resided in south-central New Mexico. Women in the tribe collected a plant known as Mescal Agave, while men worked on processing it, which led to the tribe being named ‘Mescalero.’
- Nosie
The surname Nosie is used by many Native American tribes living in the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
- Tessay
The last name ‘Apache’ was given to people who lived on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in North America.
Sioux Last Names
The Sioux are a group of multiple tribes from America. They were mainly divided into three groups known as Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota. The Sioux spoke various native languages, with the Dakota language being the most widely spoken. They have a strong cultural background and were known for their skills in battle as warriors.
- Akecheta
In Lakota, this surname means ‘soldier.’ In the past, it was used for men who fought in battles or served in the military.
- Angpetu
This surname signifies ‘day’ or ‘daytime,’ and is sometimes used as a girl’s first name with the meaning of ‘radiant.’
- Anoki
Anoki is a surname that comes from Native American origins and it means ‘actor’.
- Canowicakte
This surname refers to someone who is a skilled hunter in the forest. It is made up of three Lakota words: ‘chunwanca’ which means forest, ‘waoka’ which means hunter, and ‘kte’ which means to kill.
- Cetanwakuwa
The Sioux surname translates to ‘attacking hawk’ or ‘to hunt and chase.’
- Chaska
Chaska likely comes from a Lakota word that means ‘son’ or from Dakota words with the same meaning.
- Chumani
This surname of Native American origin translates to ‘drops of dew.’ It is a delicate name that can also be given to baby girls as a first name.
- Enapay
This surname from the Sioux tribe signifies a brave and fearless demeanor when facing challenges.
- Galilhai
Galilhai is a Lakota last name that translates to gentle or delicate.
- Howahkan
The surname originates from Native American culture and it translates to a ‘mysterious voice.’ In Lakota, it can also mean a ‘powerful voice’ or a ‘sacred voice.’
- Ishtasapa
The last name of this Sioux Native American means ‘dark-eyed’ in the Lakota language. This surname comes from the Lakota words ‘ista’ which means ‘eye’ and ‘sapa’ which means ‘black’.
- Kadoka
Kadoka is a surname that means ‘hole in the wall’ and comes from the Sioux tribe in America.
- Mato
The surname originates from the Portuguese term ‘mato,’ which means ‘bush’ or ‘scrubland.’ It might be a last name based on someone’s location near a bush or scrubland.
- Maka
The last name originated from the Lakota language and signifies ‘soil,’ ‘ground,’ or ‘earth.’
- Macawi
Macawi is a last name that is common in various Native American groups and it translates to ‘coyote’.
- Nahimana
Nahimana originates from the Dakota language and translates to ‘secret’.
- Ohitekah
The surname Ohitekah comes from the Lakota term ‘ohitika,’ which means brave, fierce, and ready for battle.
- Taté-iyòhiwin
This surname from a Native American background signifies the action of ‘reaching for the wind’ or could also be interpreted as ‘every wind’.
Cherokee Last Names
The Cherokees are a Native American group who live in the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Their language, Cherokee, is spoken by only a small number of people nowadays. Many Cherokee last names come from their language.
- Ahoka
Ahoka is a last name that refers to a district.
- Awiakta
In Cherokee, the word ‘Awiakta’ refers to the ‘eye of the deer.’
- Catawnee
The surname probably belongs to a group within the different Cherokee tribes of Native Americans.
- Chewey
The last name was shared by a number of families in the United States and Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Native Americans have had a significant impact on American culture today, especially in names, surnames, food, art, and culture. Their influence has lasted through the ages and can still be seen in modern times. The last names and names used by Native Americans are both common and distinctive because of their rich history and profound meanings. If you are interested in learning more about the history of America, delving into this collection of names and surnames could be a fascinating starting point for your research.
