Are you looking for popular Native American last names and meanings? This post will provide you with the best of the best. Names are more than just a means of identification; they are a powerful means of expressing oneself.
Long before European settlers came to North America in the 15th century, most of the continent was inhabited by Native Americans. These people had traditions that guided their activities, names, beliefs, and associations, just like many other cultures.
Most native American surname names were based on a person’s birthdate, profession, temperament, clan, and place of residence. The British, French, Spanish, and Portuguese finally had an impact on the names of the native Americans.
There are many different tribes or subgroups that make up Native Americans. The Navajo, Cherokee, Apache, and Sioux are the four most well-known. Native Americans Last names were passed down through generations over time.
This article lists over 100 popular native American last names and their meanings.
Popular Native American Last Names
| Name | Meaning |
| Williams | Resolute protector |
| Smith | One who strikes metals |
| Sandoval | Groove of wood |
| Paddock | Small enclosure |
| Maizen | Occupational, meaning ‘the one that picks maize’ |
| Locklear | A person who was a locksmith |
| Lewis | Victorious |
| Kipp | To swell; fat man |
| Jones | God has favoured |
| Johnson | Son of John |
| Irving | Water |
| Howell | The sun |
| Holt | A small grove of trees |
| Hensley | Stallion |
| Galord | High-spirited, cheerful |
| Eubank | One who lives near the ridge of a yew |
| Denton | From the town in the valley |
| Deere | Precious |
| Cornfield | Occupational, for those who worked in a cornfield. |
| Chavos | Child |
| Brown | One with brown hair, complexion, or clothing |
| Hilliard | One who lives on the hills |
| Branham | From the habitation of the Bramham tribe in West Yorkshire |
| Bluebird | Happiness |
| Bia | Blessed or white |
| Bernard | As strong as a bear |
| Bahe | The gray man |
| Alexander | Defender of the men |
| Alberty | Belonged to the Alberti family, who lived in the United States at the beginning of the 1920s. |
| Welch | Foreign |
| Warcloud | From the words war and cloud |
| Vance | From the marsh |
| Tsosie | Slim |
| Thunderhawk | Based on the power of thunder, combined with the word hawk |
| Swiftwater | A family that lives near swift water |
| Summerhill | A family that lives on a hill |
| Pompey | Five |
| Huaman | Hawk |
| Filemonsen | Son of Filemon |
| Countryman | A man who lived in the country |
| Chubbuck | This one is of German origin and means’ chubby one.’ |
| Bravebird | Based on a bird’s trait |
| Blackrock | A family from the black rock area |
| Arrow | Given to a hunter |
| Yansa | Buffalo |
| Wesa | Cat |
| Waya | Wolf |
| Wahkan | Sacred |
| Utsidihi | The mankiller |
| Tskilekwa | Big wizard |
| Tsiyi | Canoe |
| Rayetayah | Hanging maw |
| Onacona | White owl |
| Moytoy | Rainmaker |
| Kanagagota | Standing turkey |
| Kana′tĭ | the lucky hunter |
| Gawonisgi | Speaker |
| Cheasequah | Red bird or cardinal |
| Chaske | First born son |
| Austenaco | Chief |
| Atsadi | Fish |
| Atohi | Woods |
| Ahyuini | Swimmer |
| Adahy | Close to the Cherokee word adahi’i which means poison |
| Yazzie | Little |
| Tsosie | Slender or slim |
| Tsinajinnie | Black streak clan |
| Tsinaji | Black |
| Todicheene | Bitter water people |
| Toadlena | Water that flows up and out |
| Tlizilani | Goat |
| Tabaaha | Shore, beach |
| Peshlakai | Silver |
| Nez | Tall |
| Lapahie | Gray |
| Hatahle | Medicine man |
| Etsitty | Smithy, pounder; to pound |
| Descheene | Clan designation, red-streak people |
| Daisy | Younger one |
| Claw | Left-handed |
| Bylilly | For him; magic power |
| Bitsillie | Younger brother |
| Benally | His grandchild |
| Begay | His son |
| Adakai | Gambler, card player |
| Acothley | Cowboy |
| Altaha | High or elevated |
| Cosay | Person who lived on the White Mountain |
| Dosela | The commoner |
| Mescal | One from the Mescalero clan |
| Tessay | One who lives in the reserve |
| Maka | A Lakota surname that means soil, ground, or earth |
| Howahkan | A strong voice or sacred voice |
| Galihai | A Lakota last name that means gentle or delicate |
| Chaska | This Dakota last name means son |
| Angpetu | It means radiant or daytime |
| Fineday | Derived from a good day |
| Decorah | Serpent |
| Declay | The charming one |
| Coriz | Cheerful and friendly |
| Claymore | Big or great sword |
Native American Tribes
The Navajo
The Southwestern United States is home to the Native American group known as the Navajo. They are well-known for their hand-woven rugs and blankets. The Pueblo people taught them how to weave cotton first. When they began raising sheep, they shifted to wool. These blankets were precious and could only be purchased by rich chiefs.
The Navajo speak an Apachean language that belongs to the Athabaskan language family. The Cherokee Nation is the next-largest tribe in the country after this one.
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee are an indigenous group of the United States that live in the Southeastern Woodlands. It is one of the largest tribes in the United States, with over 430,000 tribal members worldwide. More than 141,000 Cherokee Nation members live on the tribe’s reservation in northeastern Oklahoma. The Cherokee language is part of the Iroquoian language group.
The Apache
The Apache were originally from what is now the Southwest United States. The Apaches are divided into several subtribes. The Jicarilla, Chiricahua, Salinero, Lipan, Mimbreo, Mescalero, and Ndendahe.
Sioux tribe
Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota are the three subtribes that make up the Sioux tribe. Sioux warriors were renowned for their prowess. The Sioux language is part of the Siouan language group.
Native American last names are among the most distinctive names that may be given to a child in today’s society. This is because most native American tribes have now embraced the influences of other cultures, which is most apparent in their modern-day naming traditions.