480+ Cornish Last Names or Surnames and Their Meanings

Looking for fascinating Cornish last names? I totally get it – they’re like little stories wrapped up in a few letters! You know how everyone’s curious about where their family came from? Well, these Cornish names are basically ancient text messages from our ancestors, telling us all about life in medieval Cornwall.

Picture someone hundreds of years ago, living in a tiny Cornish village, maybe working as a blacksmith or farming on a hillside. Their name might have started as just a way to tell them apart from their neighbor, but fast forward to today, and that same name could be yours, carrying all that history with it!

The cool thing about Cornish surnames is that they’re not just random. Each one has a meaning – like having “Tre” at the start usually means your ancestors lived on a farm, or “Pol” means they lived near a pool or pond. Pretty neat, right? It’s like having a family history lesson built right into your name!

Think of these names as your personal connection to Cornwall’s story. Whether you’ve got Cornish roots yourself or you’re just curious about these unique names, you’re about to discover some really cool stories. Ready to dig in and find out what these names are all about?

Cornish Last Names

Origin: These traditional Cornish surnames emerged primarily during the Middle Ages, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Cornwall, England

• Trelawny (Settlement in the grove)
• Penrose (Head of the moor)
• Polglaze (Grey pool)
• Lanyon (Sacred enclosure)
• Chenoweth (New house)
• Rosevear (Great moor)
• Cargeeg (Ship’s port)
• Tregonning (Dwelling on the downs)
• Pascoe (Easter child)
• Nancarrow (Valley of deer)
• Penhaligan (Willow tree hill)
• Treleaven (Lion’s farm)
• Kernick (Cornish person)
• Menear (Long stone)
• Keverne (Hill of alders)
• Trembath (Bath valley)
• Roskilly (Grove by the grove)
• Treweek (Village place)
• Angove (The smith)
• Tremewan (Farm by the yew trees)

Want some more inspiration? Check out these fantasy last names for additional ideas!

Cornish Surnames

Origin: These surnames evolved from descriptive nicknames, occupations, and locations in medieval Cornwall

• Trethewey (House by the causeway)
• Chynoweth (New house)
• Pengelly (Head of the grove)
• Cardew (Black fort)
• Rosewarne (Rose marsh)
• Lanhydrock (Church enclosure of Hydrock)
• Trevaskis (Smithy farm)
• Polkinghorne (Pool at the corner)
• Treloar (Garden house)
• Menhenick (Old stone)
• Truscott (Cottage by the woods)
• Penberthy (Bush on a hill)
• Tresize (Farm in the dry place)
• Curnow (Man from Cornwall)
• Glasson (Green place)
• Trevethan (Meadow farm)
• Rodda (By the ford)
• Nankivell (Horse valley)
• Tregear (Castle farm)
• Polwhele (Pool by the mine)

For more surname inspiration, take a look at these medieval last names!

Cornish Family Names

Origin: These family names represent ancestral lineages, often tied to specific locations, occupations, or physical features in Cornwall

You know what’s cool about these names? Each one tells a story! Check these out:

• Tresidder (Place by the water)
• Pentreath (Head of the beach)
• Harvey (Battle worthy)
• Bolitho (House by the barn)
• Trevorrow (Tomorrow’s farm)
• Lankshear (Long chair)
• Polmear (Great pool)
• Metherell (Great hall)
• Trewartha (Upper farm)
• Prowse (Brave one)
• Tregenza (Farm by the causeway)
• Yelland (Gate land)
• Endean (The bird)
• Treglown (Clean farm)
• Penhaligon (Willow hill)
• Rawling (Son of Ralph)
• Trethake (Thicket farm)
• Nankervis (Valley by the church)
• Glanville (Valley town)
• Trevanion (Farm of Anthony)

Looking for more traditional names? Take a peek at these British last names!

Rare Cornish Surnames

Origin: These uncommon surnames survived from ancient Cornwall, representing unique historical events, places, or family stories

• Kneebone (From ‘An Nyben’ meaning ‘the holy’)
• Cobbledick (From ‘Cubogledig’ meaning ‘lord of the domain’)
• Tonkin (Little Tony)
• Menheniot (Old sanctuary)
• Tregedna (Bird’s farm)
• Jollow (From ‘Challengworth’)
• Buzza (From ‘Bosow’ meaning dwellings)
• Lampshire (Land’s end shire)
• Mennear (Stone long)
• Trehane (Old dwelling)
• Caddy (Battle hardy)
• Grigg (Greek person)
• Jelbart (Bright helmet)
• Bray (Hill)
• Lawry (Laurel crowned)
• Manhire (Long stone)
• Chegwin (White dog)
• Menadue (Black hill)
• Daddow (David’s son)
• Prynn (Tree)

For more unique name ideas, check out these unique last names!

Unique Cornish Last Names

Origin: These distinctive surnames represent rare combinations of Cornish words and unique historical circumstances

You’ll love these – they’re super interesting and really show off Cornwall’s special heritage:

• Quintrell (White farm)
• Hosking (Son of Hosca)
• Retallack (By the hillock)
• Budge (From ‘bugge’ meaning ghost)
• Scantlebury (Bright fortress)
• Tippett (Little Theobald)
• Bastian (Sebastian’s son)
• Mewton (New town)
• Trebilcock (House by the pool)
• Jago (James)
• Berryman (Berry collector)
• Tangye (By the peace)
• Penhale (Head of the marsh)
• Woon (Down dwelling)
• Tredinnick (House on the hill)
• Kevern (Hill of alders)
• Rundle (Round hill)
• Penaluna (Pool house)
• Crossman (Cross bearer)
• Fitze (Son of Fish)

Loving these unique names? You might also enjoy these long last names!

Cornish Last Names for Boys

Origin: These traditionally masculine surnames were often associated with strength, occupation, or paternal lineage

• Tregaskis (Farm by the ash trees)
• Uren (From Owen)
• Tamblyn (Son of Tamplin)
• Maddever (Son of Maddox)
• Ledger (Spearman)
• Bunt (Strong one)
• Uglow (Hugh’s mound)
• Trevethick (Physician’s farm)
• Endacott (End cottage)
• Pawlyn (Son of Paul)
• Gendall (Birth of the valley)
• Trenerry (Long farm)
• Gluyas (Grey-green)
• Warmington (Settlement of Weorma’s people)
• Stephens (Son of Stephen)
• Dungey (Fortress dweller)
• Vivian (Small and lively)
• Truscott (Cross cottage)
• Keast (From the wood)
• Huddy (From Udy – prosperous)

For more boy-friendly names, check out these strong boy names!

Cornish Last Names for Girls

Origin: These surnames, while not exclusively feminine, have softer sounds or meanings that historically became associated with female lineages

Hey, looking for something with a bit of feminine flair? These Cornish names have such a lovely ring to them:

• Rosemergy (Rose by the sea)
• Trezona (Happy farm)
• Lillicrap (Lily’s grove)
• Penrose (Head of the rose)
• Crews (Cross)
• Bennetts (Blessed)
• Moyle (Bald or bare hill)
• Tremayne (Stone farm)
• Pearce (Rock)
• Trerise (Farm by the ford)
• Philp (Lover of horses)
• Andrewartha (By the high farm)
• Carhart (High fort)
• Lovering (Beloved one)
• Tremellyn (Mill farm)
• Kemp (Champion)
• Trelease (Court farm)
• Rosewarne (Rose marsh)
• Metherell (Great hall)
• Trembath (Bath valley)

Love these? You might also enjoy checking out these flower names for girls!

Cornish Last Names and Meanings

Origin: These names showcase the diverse etymology of Cornish surnames, each with its own unique story

So what’s in a name? Let me break these down for you – they’re fascinating!

• Trengrove (Farm in the grove) – Perfect for nature lovers!
• Pendray (Top of the town) – Imagine living up on the hill
• Polkinghorne (Pool at the corner) – Every village had one
• Trewin (White farm) – Think whitewashed walls
• Menhenick (Old stone) – Sturdy as a rock
• Curnow (Cornishman) – Straight to the point
• Tregidga (Busy farm) – Always something happening here
• Lanyon (Sacred enclosure) – Has a mystical feel
• Roskilly (Grove by the spring) – Fresh water was precious
• Penberthy (Bush on the hill) – Nature meets geography
• Tretheway (Farm by the path) – Everyone knew the way
• Pascoe (Easter child) – Born during holy times
• Opie (Son of Alfred) – Family connections matter
• Chegwyn (White dog) – Must’ve been a beloved pet
• Polglase (Green pool) – Can’t you just picture it?
• Treloar (Moon garden) – Sounds magical, right?
• Nankervis (Valley church) – Community gathering spot
• Trevains (Stone farm) – Built to last
• Edyvean (Little Edwin) – Sometimes small is mighty
• Carbis (Fort by the birch) – Nature meets protection

Looking for more name meanings? Check out these nature last names!

Common Cornish Surnames

Origin: These are the most frequently found Cornish surnames today, representing widespread families and historical settlement patterns

Hey, ever wonder which Cornish names you’re most likely to bump into? These are like the Smiths and Joneses of Cornwall – super common but each with their own cool story:

• Williams (Son of William)
• Most common in west Cornwall
• Originally from “gwilym” meaning “protector”
• Richards (Son of Richard)
• Found everywhere in Cornwall
• Means “powerful ruler”
• Thomas (Twin)
• Super popular around Penzance
• Originally a biblical name
• Mitchell (Big)
• Common in mining communities
• Often meant “big Michael”
• James (Supplanter)
• Huge in fishing communities
• Biblical origins, very Cornish now!
• Roberts (Bright fame)
• Popular in farming areas
• Often shortened to “Rob”
• Edwards (Wealthy guardian)
• Common in northern Cornwall
• Strong royal connections
• Phillips (Lover of horses)
• Big in coastal areas
• Greek origin, Cornish twist
• Martin (Of Mars)
• Found in trading ports
• Originally a Roman name
• Stevens (Crown)
• Popular in central Cornwall
• From the Greek “stephanos”
• Chapman (Merchant)
• Common in market towns
• Occupational surname
• Bennett (Blessed)
• Found throughout Cornwall
• Medieval favorite
• Harris (Son of Harry)
• Popular in mining regions
• Welsh-Cornish crossover
• Peters (Rock)
• Common in fishing villages
• From the apostle Peter
• Collins (Son of Colin)
• Widespread in rural areas
• Victory-related meaning
• White
• Often describes appearance
• Common near chalk areas
• Brown
• Originally about hair color
• Found everywhere
• Davies
• Son of David
• Welsh-Cornish connection
• Jenkins
• Little John
• Popular in border areas
• Morgan
• Sea-born
• Common in coastal towns

For more traditional name ideas, take a peek at these strong boy names or fantasy last names!

Understanding Cornish Surnames: A Peek into the Past

Picture yourself in medieval Cornwall, where people started needing ways to tell each other apart. That’s when surnames really kicked off! Unlike today’s family names, early Cornish folks didn’t inherit their surnames – they got them based on who they were, what they did, or where they lived.

The Building Blocks: Common Elements in Cornish Names

Think of Cornish surnames like a puzzle, with specific pieces that tell you something about your ancestors. Here are some key prefixes that pop up all the time:

Prefix	Meaning	Example Names
Tre	Farm/Settlement	Trelawny, Trewin
Pen	Head/End	Penrose, Pengelly
Pol	Pool/Pit	Polglase, Polwhele
Ros	Heath/Moor	Rosevear, Roskilly
Lan	Church enclosure	Lanyon, Landry
Car	Fort/Round	Cardew, Carne

Types of Cornish Surnames: A Family Story

Patronymic Names

These names come from your dad’s first name – pretty straightforward, right? They’re like the medieval last names that stuck around. For example:

• Clemo (from Clement)
• Kitto (from Christopher)
• Jenkin (from John)

Occupational Names

Just like today’s family names, some Cornish surnames came from what people did for work:

• Angove (the smith)
• Helyer (the hunter)
• Sawle (the salt worker)

The Unique and Rare: Cornish Names That’ll Make You Smile

Ever heard a surname that made you do a double-take? Cornwall’s got plenty of those! Take “Kneebone” – yep, that’s a real surname! Or how about “Cobbledick”? These names might sound funny to us now, but they’ve got deep roots in Cornish history.

Here are some head-turners:

• Nancarrow (from the valley of deer)
• Penhaligon (from the willow tree hill)
• Trevithick (from the doctor’s farm)

Regional Flavors: Where Geography Meets Identity

Just like your favorite local dishes, Cornish surnames often have a special connection to specific areas. Take the Roddas – you’ll find loads of them around Scorrier. And if you bump into a Bottrell, chances are their family roots trace back to West Penwith.

Famous Faces with Cornish Names

Let’s talk about some folks who’ve put Cornish surnames in the spotlight:

• Richard Trevithick – the steam engine pioneer
• Daphne du Maurier – though French-sounding, she’s tied to Cornwall’s heritage
• William Golding – the famous author with Cornish roots

Speaking of Language: The Cornish Connection

You know how some British last names can be tricky to pronounce? Well, Cornish surnames have their own musical quality, sharing sounds with Welsh and Breton. Many names have been anglicized over time – kind of like when your favorite foreign dish gets a local twist!

Tracing Your Roots: The Detective Work

Want to dig into your Cornish family tree? Here’s where to start:

1. Check parish records – they’re goldmines of information
2. Look for pattern prefixes – remember those ‘Tre-‘, ‘Pen-‘, and ‘Pol-‘ beginnings
3. Connect with local historical societies – they love helping family historians
4. Study local maps – place names often match family names

Why It All Matters

These names aren’t just labels – they’re living pieces of history. Every Cornish surname tells a story about:

• Where families came from
• What their ancestors did for work
• How communities developed
• The evolution of language

Think of your surname as a time machine. Whether it starts with ‘Tre-‘ or ends with something unique, it’s your personal connection to Cornwall’s rich history. Many of these names have cousins in other Celtic last names, showing just how connected our histories are.

Looking Forward

Today, while not everyone with a Cornish surname lives in Cornwall, these names continue to spread Cornwall’s heritage worldwide. They remind us that no matter where we go, our names carry pieces of history with them.

What’s your surname’s story? Whether it’s Cornish or not, every family name has its own fascinating tale to tell. Maybe it’s time to start exploring yours!

Remember: Understanding our surnames isn’t just about looking backward – it’s about appreciating how our family histories shape who we are today.

And there you have it – the wonderful world of Cornish surnames! Whether you’re researching your family tree or just curious about names, Cornwall’s surname heritage offers an endless source of fascinating stories and historical connections. Pretty amazing how much history can be packed into a name, right?