Free surname library
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Explore concise, evidence-conscious guides to surname meanings and origins. These pages explain what a name can suggest—and what only your family’s own records can prove.
Research guide
Harrison
English patronymic surname
Research guideGarcía
Historic Iberian surname with several proposed formation paths
Research guidePérez
Spanish patronymic surname meaning son of Pedro
Research guideRodríguez
Spanish patronymic surname meaning son of Rodrigo
Research guideMartínez
Spanish patronymic surname meaning son of Martín
Research guideSmith
Occupational surname associated with metalworking
Research guideNavarro
Spanish regional surname associated with Navarra
Research guideSilva
Portuguese surname associated with woodland or forest
Research guideDubois
French topographic surname associated with woodland