L is the 12th letter of the alphabet and one of the most commonly used in the English language, the 11th most frequent, to be exact (1). In numerology, it is widely believed that the letter L represents creativity, communication, connection, enthusiasm, and vibrancy. Thus, it is no surprise that there are hundreds of last names that start with L throughout the world. From European languages like French and Italian to Asian tongues like Chinese and Hindi, and Hispanic languages such as Spanish and Mexican, these surnames are found everywhere. They reference locations, professions, family heritage, and physical traits, and range from unique, like Llewellyn, to common, like Lee. Whether you wish to learn more about your last name or other last names starting with L, our extensive list may help satiate your curiosity.

250+ Last Names That Start With L

Let us travel around the world to take a look at surnames that start with L. From the grand vales of Germany to the vast landscapes of China, these last names depict the diversity of society worldwide.

German Last Names That Start With L

German surnames have a long history, originating from one of the oldest groups of spoken languages, Germanic. These surnames have several roots: tautological, military, terrain, and professional (2). Read on to find out more in detail in the following German last names starting with L.

1. Lachmann

The surname has toponymic origins, denoting a person who lives near a lake, from lache meaning ‘lake’ and mann meaning ‘man.’ It is also spelled as Lacheman, Lackman, Lachmann, or Lackmann.

2. Lampe

Lampe is a unique surname with a habitational origin, indicating a house marked with a lamp, or made prominent through a lamp. It can also be a metonymic occupational surname for a lamp maker.

3. Lang

With Germanic origins, Lang is a physical descriptor meaning ‘tall,’ likely used to describe people with a long frame. It is also spelled as Lange, Long, or Laing.

4. Langer

Similar to the previous surname, Langer derives from the German word lang, meaning ‘tall,’ and was initially used as a nickname for a tall person. Some also say that it could be an occupational name for an unskilled worker.

5. Langner

Although it may sound similar to Langer, Langner is a habitational surname. It was used to indicate anyone hailing from Langen or Langenau in Germany, Silesia, or Bohemia.

6. Lauer

The surname has roots as a Jewish nickname for a ‘cunning or crafty person’ or ‘someone with narrow eyes.’ Alternatively, it comes from the Middle German word occupational term for a ‘tanner,’ or as a habitational name for someone from Lauer in Franconia.

7. Laurenz

Laurenz is the German word for the Latin Laurentius, which has given rise to Lawrence, Laurence, and Lorenz. It is a habitational name meaning ‘from Laurentum.’

8. Lauterbach

A habitational surname, Lauterbach comes from any place named Lauter. It also comes from the German word hlutra, meaning ‘pure’ or ‘clear,’ and bach, meaning ‘stream.’

9. Lay

Also a habitational name, Lay comes from German place names in Rhineland and Bavaria. It comes from the word lay, meaning ‘stone,’ ‘slate,’ or ‘rock.’

10. Lechner

An occupational status name indicating ‘vassal’ or ‘feudal tenant.’ It is derived from the Middle High German word lēhen, meaning ‘to hold land as a feudal tenant.’ It can also be a habitational name from Lehen in Bavaria.

11. Lehmann

Derived from the same root as the previous surname, Lehmann means ‘feudal tenant’ or ‘vassal.’ It derives from lēhen, meaning ‘to hold land as a feudal tenant,’ and mann, meaning ‘man.’

12. Lemke

The unique surname originated as a nickname for Lemert, a variant of Lambert, meaning ‘bright land,’ or as a short form of Wilhelm, meaning ‘desire to protect.’ It can also be a habitational name for a place near Hanover.

13. Lenz

Lenz is a popular surname derived as a shortened form of Lorenz, Lanzo, or any name starting with land, meaning ‘land,’ such as Lambert. It is also derived from lenze, the German word for ‘spring,’ or as a habitational name from any place in Germany named Lenz.

14. Leonhardt

The classic masculine name and surname derives from the Old Germanic personal name Leonhard. It means ‘brave lion’ or ‘mighty lion.’

15. Liebig

Liebig comes from a Germanic personal name beginning with liob, meaning ‘dear’ or ‘beloved.’ It may also be a habitational surname for anyone hailing from Liebich, Bohemia.

16. Liedtke

It comes from the North German word Lüdtke, a short form of the personal name Ludolph. It combines ancient Germanic elements liud, meaning ‘people tribe’ and wulf, meaning ‘wolf.’

17. Lindemann

The topographic name originates from Linde, referring to people who ‘dwelled near the lindens.’ Lindens refer to the linden tree or a conspicuous lime tree.

18. Linden

Originating from the same root as Lindemann, Linden is a plural form of linde, meaning ‘linden tree’ or ‘lime tree.’ As is apparent from the meaning, Linden is a toponymic surname.

19. Lindner

Much like the previous surnames, Lindner originates from linde, meaning ‘lime tree’ and the suffix ‘-ner.’ It is also a habitational last name for someone hailing from Lindenau, Linden, Linda, or Linde.

20. Link

In Germany, Link originated as a nickname for someone whose left hand is dominant. It originates from the Middle High German linc, meaning ‘left side.’

21. Lippert

The distinctive surname may originate from the German name Liebhart, meaning ‘beloved and strong.’ It may also refer to an ancient Germanic name meaning ‘bright people’ or ‘bright tribe.’

22. Löffler

Löffler is an occupational surname for someone who made or sold spoons. It originates from the word löffel, meaning ‘spoon.’

23. Lohmann

The last name is an elaborated version of Loh, a topographic name for someone living near a ‘brushland’ or ‘wood.’ It also denotes a ‘swamp’ or ‘moor’ in Bavaria and Holstein.

24. Lohr

It is a short form of Lorenz, meaning ‘from Laurentum.’ When spelled as Löhr, it is a habitational name from places named Lohr in Bavaria and Rhineland. It can also indicate an occupational name for a ‘tanner’ or an ancient Germanic personal name meaning ‘clear and powerful.’

25. Lohse

As a habitational surname, it indicates anyone originating from a place called Loose, Lohsa, or Loosen. Lohse may also be a short form of Nikolaus or Nicholas, meaning ‘victory of the people.’

26. Lotz

The short surname originated from a medieval nickname form of the masculine name Ludwig. Ludwig has ancient Germanic roots and means ‘famous warrior.’

27. Lücke

Also spelled as Luck, Lücke is a topographical surname meaning ‘enclosed piece of land.’ It may also be a habitational name for places named so, or be a pet form of Luedecke or Ludolph. Alternatively, it may have originated as a nickname meaning ‘loose’ or as a Bavarian topographic word meaning ‘narrow passage alley.’

28. Ludwig

The famous surname and the masculine personal name, Ludwig has Old High German origins. It translates to ‘famous warrior’ from hlūd, meaning ‘famous,’ and wīg, meaning ‘war.’

29. Lukas

Lukas is the German version of Lucas, meaning ‘from Lucanus.’ It has Greek and Latin origins and also translates to ‘light’ or ‘bringer of light.’

30. Lund

Lund is a German topographic surname for ‘someone who lives by a grove.’ It is also a habitational name for places named Lund or Lunden.

31. Luther

Derived from a Germanic personal name, Luther means ‘salvation army.’ It combines the words liut, meaning ‘salvation,’ liud, meaning ‘people,’ or hlūd, meaning ‘clamoring famous,’ with heri, translating to ‘army.’

32. Lutz

Lutz derives as a pet form of the personal name and surname Ludwig or Ludger. It may also be a short form of Liuzo, a name with the element liud, meaning ‘people’ or ‘tribe.’

Check out more German last names.

English Last Names That Start With L

Surnames were not used in England until after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Since then, English surnames have evolved to include everything from nicknames and physical attributes to occupations and patronyms. These English last names that start with L will take you through all these types.

33. Ladd

The short surname Ladd comes from the Middle English word ladde, meaning ‘lad.’ It is an occupational name for a young male attendant or servant.

34. Ladley

Ladley has habitational and toponymic origins in English, Scottish, and Irish. It comes from Ludlow, derived from the river name Hlude, meaning ‘loud roaring,’ referring to the Teme river, and hlaw, meaning ‘hill.’

35. Laird

With Scottish origins, this surname denotes a ‘landlord’ or ‘landowner.’ It is a status name and comes from the Middle English word ‘lord.’

36. Lake

As is apparent from the word “lake,” Lake is a topographic surname for anyone who lives near a lake, pool, or streamlet. It can also be a habitational name for anyone from places named Lack or Lake.

37. Lamb

The surname Lamb emerged as a nickname for a soft or meek person, because of the association of lambs with innocence. It may also be a metonymic occupational name for someone who took care of lambs.

38. Lambert

The surname has English, French, Dutch, German, Walloon, Czech, Polish, and Slovak origins. It is a masculine name as well, combining the ancient Germanic words land, meaning ‘land’ or ‘territory,’ and berht, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘famous’.

39. Lamont

Lamont has Scottish origins and is a clan name. It may also be derived from the personal name Lagman, meaning ‘man of law.’

40. Lancaster

As a surname, Lancaster originates from the place name Lancaster, located in northwestern England. It was originally spelled as Loncastre, combining the name of river Lune and the Old English word ceaster, meaning ‘legionary camp.’

41. Land

It originates from English, Dutch, and German as a topographic surname meaning ‘land’ or ‘territory.’ It could also mean ‘glade’ or originate as a place name from Laund in Yorkshire or Launde in Leicestershire.

42. Langland

The habitational surname refers to Langlands in Guthrie. It also denotes a ‘farmstead’ or ‘a long stretch of land,’ from lang, meaning ‘long,’ and land, meaning ‘territory.’

43. Langley

A famous habitational name, it originates from numerous places named Langley or Longley all over England. It comes from the words lang, meaning ‘long,’ and leah, meaning ‘glade,’ ‘wood,’ or ‘clearing.’

44. Langston

It is a habitational name originating from any place named Langstone in Devon and Hampshire. Langston refers to a ‘neolithic menhir,’ from lang, ‘long,’ and stan, ‘stone.’

45. Larsen

It is a Danish and Norwegian patronymic surname meaning ‘son of Lars.’ Lars is a diminutive of Lawrence, meaning ‘from Laurentum.’

46. Latham

Latham is an English habitational name rooted in Lathom in Lancashire or Laytham in Yorkshire. These place names denote ‘at the barns’ or ‘by the barns.’

47. Lauder

Lauder is a Scottish-origin habitational name derived from a place named Lauder in Berwickshire. The place gets its name from the River Leader, meaning ‘cleansing river.’

48. Laurie

With English and Scottish origins, Laurie is a surname and a common pet form of Lawrence, meaning ‘from Laurentum.’ It also denotes ‘laurel’ in French.

49. Law

Despite the word “law” denoting legality, Law is a topographic surname with English and Scottish origins. It means ‘dweller at the low,’ referring to ‘a hill.’ It can also be a diminutive of Lawrence or Lawson.

50. Lawson

Lawson is an English patronymic surname. It means ‘son of Law,’ referring to Lawrence, which translates to ‘from Laurentum.’

51. Lawton

The English habitational name emerges from Church Lawton in Cheshire. It derives from the Old English word hlaw, meaning ‘mound hill,’ and tun, meaning ‘farmstead estate.’

52. Layne

Layne is a topographical name for those residing in a ‘lane,’ or a ‘narrow pathway between fences, hedges, or two houses.’ It is a variant of Lane, and is also related to the Gaelic patronym Ó Laighin, a byname for a ‘spear’ or ‘javelin.’

53. Leach

Derived from the ancient practice of medicinal bloodletting, Leach is an occupational surname meaning ‘physician’ or ‘doctor.’ It comes from the Old English lǣce, meaning ‘leach,’ ‘surgeon,’ or ‘blood-letter.’

54. Leigh

Leigh is a habitational name originating from numerous places named Leigh in England. It is also a nominative form of Leah, meaning ‘clearing,’ ‘woodland,’ or ‘meadow.’

55. Lend

This English surname has topographic origins indicating those residing near a loud, rushing stream. It can also be a habitational name from Lead, Yorkshire, derived from laed, meaning ‘watercourse,’ or hleda, meaning ‘ledge.’

56. Lennox

Lennox has Scottish origins as a habitational name from Dumbarton, recorded as Levanax. It comes from the Gaelic term leamhan, meaning ‘elm tree.’

57. Lester

The surname and masculine given name has habitational origins in Leicester. It combines the Old English name Legore, referring to ‘the dwellers by the river Legor,’ and ceaster, meaning ‘city fortification.’ Lester may also be an occupational name from Laster, meaning ‘one who makes shoes or boots on a last.’

58. Levy

Levy is a surname with Hebrew origins and means ‘joining.’ It usually refers to a family of Levite descent and can also be spelled as Levi.

59. Lewis

Derived from the English and Welsh personal name Lodovicus, Lewis means ‘famed battle,’ or ‘famous warrior.’ It is also a variant spelling of Louis and Clovis.

60. Leyshon

Leyshon derives from Welsh personal name Lleision, meaning ‘voice’ or ‘vocal.’ It is also spelled as Layson, Leyson, and Laysham.

61. Lincoln

The famous surname originates from Old English as a habitational name from Lincoln, meaning ‘lake colony.’ It can be further elaborated as ‘settler by the lake’ or ‘town by the pool.’

62. Lindsay

A habitational name from Lindsey in England, Lindsay is also recognized as a toponym meaning ‘island of Lind,’ referring to the city of Lincoln. Some also suggest that the surname means ‘island of Linden trees.’

63. Little

Derived as a nickname for someone of small stature or the younger of two people with the same name, Little is a descriptive surname. It comes from the Middle English word littel, meaning ‘little.’

64. Livingston

The habitational surname is derived from Livingston in Lothian, Scotland. It means ‘Levin’s town,’ derived from the word toun, meaning ‘settlement.’

65. Llewellyn

With Welsh origins, Llewellyn comes from the personal masculine name Llewelyn, derived from the British Celtic Lugubelinos. This distinctive last name translates to ‘like a lion.’

66. Lloyd

Lloyd comes from Welsh and is a surname derived from the adjective llwyd, meaning ‘gray.’ It was used to refer to men with gray hair or younger men with mousy brown hair.

67. Lock

Derived from the Old English word loca and the Middle English word loke, Lock is a topographic surname. It refers to someone who lives in an ‘enclosure,’ or a place that can be locked.

68. Lockhart

The unique last name has its origins in the Old French nickname locart, referring to ‘someone who squints’ or ‘someone who is cross-eyed.’ It is derived from the Latin luscus, meaning ‘one-eyed.’

69. Locklear

Locklear is an alternative form of the English surname Lockyer. It is an occupational surname referring to someone who works as a ‘locksmith.’

70. Lockwood

A habitational surname emerging from places named Lockwood in England, Lockwood has Old English origins. It translates to ‘forest near a fortified place’ or ‘enclosed forest.’

71. Loftus

The English surname has habitational origins in Yorkshire and is derived from the Old Norse lopt-hús. It means ‘house with an upper floor,’ and also denotes places named Lofthouse in Yorkshire.

72. Logan

A unisex personal name and Scottish-origin surname, Logan has habitational origins. It is derived from the Gaelic word lagan, derived from lag, meaning ‘hollow.’

73. Loomis

Another habitational surname, Loomis derives from a place near Manchester or Lancashire. It translates to ‘pool nook’ or ‘pool recess.’

74. Lord

Although it may seem to be a status name, Lord emerged as a nickname for a person who played the role of ‘lord’ or ‘master of ceremonies’ in festival games. Now, the surname is also used as a title of rank.

75. Lott

Lott is an English feminine name and a surname with entirely different meanings. As a surname, it derives from lotte, meaning ‘a lot’ or ‘portion,’ denoting an allotted share of land and used to refer to the person holding said plot.

76. Love

Love has two distinct meanings as a surname. In its Old English form, it comes from lufu, denoting ‘beloved’ and used as a pet name or form of endearment. In its Scottish form, it may come from luiff, meaning ‘wolf’ or ‘she-wolf.’

77. Lovell

Derived from the Scottish word luiff and the Anglo-French lovel, Lovell is a surname that translates to ‘wolf cub.’ It is directly related to the surname Love.

78. Lowe

Lowe has English and Scottish roots and denotes a ‘lion.’ It emerged as a descriptive nickname for a brave person or someone with a regal aura.

79. Lucas

A habitational name denoting someone who came ‘from Lucania,’ Lucas is a popular masculine name and a surname. It also denotes someone who is ‘bright’ or ‘shining.’

80. Lush

The distinctive surname originated as a descriptive nickname. Rooted in Middle English, Lush translates to ‘loose,’ ‘slack,’ or ‘relaxed.’

Check out more English last names.

Irish Last Names That Start With L

The Irish have some of the oldest family names in recorded history, some going as far back as the 900s. Although many started with the Os and the Macs, they eventually fell out of use. Most of the surnames we see today have come with the Anglicization of Ireland in the 1500s and 1600s. Discover the old and the new in this list of Irish last names that start with L.

81. Lacey

Lacey has two distinct meanings as a surname of Irish origin. It has habitational origins from a place named De Laci in Normandy, and as a derivative of the personal name Lacey, it comes from Lascius, meaning ‘cheerful.’

82. Lafferty

The Irish surname comes from the Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac Fhlaithbheartaigh, meaning ‘son of Flaithbheartach.’ It comes from the combination of flight, meaning ‘prince,’ and beartach, meaning ‘doer of valiant deeds.’

83. Lally

Lally comes from Mulally, an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic patronymic surname O’ Maolalaidh. It means ‘descendant of the speckled chief.’

84. Lalor

The surname has its origins in the Gaelic patronymic last name Ó Leathlobhair, meaning ‘descendant of Leathlobhar.’ It combines leath, meaning ‘half,’ and lobar, meaning ‘a sickly person,’ describing a person who has a weak or unhealthy constitution.

85. Lambe

Simply put, Lambe is the Irish spelling variant of the English surname Lamb. It emerged as a descriptive nickname for a person who is meek and docile, like a ‘lamb.’

86. Lane

Lane is an Anglicized form of two Irish Gaelic patronymic surnames. From Ó Laighin, it means ‘descendant of Laighean’, where Laighean means ‘spear’ or ‘javelin.’ From Ó Luain, it translates to ‘descendant of Luan,’ meaning ‘warrior.’

87. Langan

The patronymic surname is an Anglicization of Ó Longáin, meaning ‘descendant of Longáin.’ The name Longáin translates to ‘long’ or ‘tall.’

88. Larkin

Larkin has dual English and Irish roots. In Irish, it is a patronymic surname meaning ‘descendant of Ó Lorcán,’ where Lorcán means ‘fierce,’ ‘rough,’ or ‘cruel.’ In English, it comes from Lor, a diminutive of Lawrence.

89. Lavelle

Another patronymic surname, Lavelle translates as ‘descendant of Maolfhábhail.’ This first name denotes someone who is ‘fond of travel or movement.’

90. Lawlor

As a variant of Lawler, Lawlor derives from a patronymic surname meaning ‘descendant of Leathlobhar,’ denoting a ‘sickly or weakened person.’ It also comes from Leathlabhra, meaning ‘half-speaker’ or ‘mumbler.’

91. Leahy

The Irish surname also originates from a patronym, which translates to ‘descendant of Laochdha.’ Here, Laochdha is a personal name denoting someone who is ‘like a warrior.’

92. Leary

Leary is a derivative of O’leary, a patronymic surname meaning ‘descendant of Laoghaire.’ Laoghaire was a byname meaning ‘keeper of the calves’ and was derived from laogh, meaning ‘calf.’

93. Ledwith

The uncommon surname has Anglo-Saxon roots and is a habitational name derived from Ledwyche in Shropshire It combines the elements hleda, meaning ‘seat’ or ‘edge,’ with wic, meaning ‘dwelling place’ or ‘hamlet.’

94. Lenihan

Also spelled as Lenehan, Lenahan, and Linehan, Lenihan is a classic Irish surname derived from Ó Leanachain. It likely comes from the word leanach, meaning ‘sorrowful.’

95. Lennon

Lennon has a few distinctive origins in the Irish language. Derived from Ó Leannáin, meaning ‘son of Leannán,’ it denotes a ‘cloak,’ ‘mantle,’ or ‘lover,’ and from Mac Lonáin, it comes from lon, a diminutive term for a ‘blackbird.’

96. Leonard

Although Leonard is primarily seen as a German-origin surname meaning ‘lion-hearted,’ it is seen as an equivalent of the Irish surname Langan. In this sense, it means ‘descendant of Longán,’ referring to someone ‘long’ or ‘tall.’

97. Leslie

Leslie has habitational origins in Scottish and patronymic origins in Irish. It derives from a Gaelic name leas celyn, which most likely translates to ‘holly garden.’ It may also be connected to the feminine name Leece, meaning ‘servant or devotee of Jesus.’

98. Leydon

The surname has Irish patronymic origins meaning ‘descendant of Loidean,’ where Loidean has uncertain origins. However, Leydon is also a variant of Lydon, meaning ‘dweller of the meadow valley.’

99. Linnane

Linnane derives from the Irish surname Ó Leannain. Leannain can originate from Leann, which means ‘cloak’ or ‘mantle,’ or Leanan, which translates to ‘paramor’ or ‘lover.’

100. Logue

An Anglicized form of the patronym Ó Maolaodhóg, this surname translates to ‘descendant of the devotee of Saint Mogue.’ Logue also originates from Ó Laoghóg, where laogh means ‘calf.’

101. Lonergan

The classic Irish surname comes from the Gaelic Ó Longargáin. It combines lonn, meaning ‘strong,’ and gann, meaning ‘fierce,’ denoting ‘strong and fierce.’

102. Looney

Looney is the Anglicized version of the Gaelic patronym Ó Luanaigh, meaning ‘descendant of Luanach.’ Luanach is a personal name derived from luan, denoting ‘warrior.’

103. Loughlin

Loughlin derives from the Gaelic filial form Mac Lochlainn or O’Lochlainn, meaning ‘descendent of Lochlann.’ In this sense, Lochlann translates as ‘lake land’ or ‘land of Fjords,’ referring to the Viking kingdom. A better interpretation would be ‘descendant of Vikings.’

104. Loughran

The Anglicized patronym comes from the Gaelic Ó Luchaireáin, meaning ‘descendant of Luchaireán.’ The personal name Luchaireán comes from Luchair, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘glittering.’

105. Loughrey

Loughrey is an Irish patronym and an Anglicization of Ó Luachra, meaning ‘descendant of Luachra.’ Luachra comes from the personal name Luachair, meaning ‘light,’ or the homonym luachair, meaning ‘rush.’

106. Lachlan

An Irish and Scottish Gaelic given name and surname, Lachlan comes from the Gaelic laochail, meaning ‘war-like.’ It also denotes someone from ‘the land of lakes’ or ‘from the fjord land,’ referring to Viking territory. Another interpretation would be ‘warrior from the land of lakes.’

107. Lowry

The Irish surname is also spelled as Lowrie, Lavery, Lavoy, Lory, and Lowery and derives from the Gaelic Ó Labhradha, meaning ‘descendants of Labradha.’ The given name Labradha likely means ‘spokesman.’

108. Lucey

Lucey is an Irish patronym and the Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Luasaigh, meaning ‘son of Cluasach.’ Cluasach, derived from cluas, meaning ‘ear,’ was a descriptive nickname for someone with large or noticeable ears.

109. Lydon

The Irish last name beginning with L derives from the Gaelic O’Laideain. It originates from the laoidh, which likely denotes ‘stanza’ or ‘verse’ and was possibly linked to people pursuing the arts or music.

110. Lynch

Lynch is a classic Irish filial name and the Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Loingsigh, meaning ‘descendant of Loingseach.’ It denotes someone ‘having or belonging to ships’ and describes a ‘mariner.’

111. Lynn

A locational or toponymic surname, Lynn derives from the Old Irish linn or the Scottish Gaelic linne. This word indicates a ‘water feature’ or ‘pool.’

112. Lyons

Lyons has several meanings in different languages, but as an Irish family name, it links to the surnames Ó Laighin and Ó Liatháin. In both cases, the surname derives from the Celtic word for ‘gray.’

Check out more Irish last names.

Chinese Last Names That Start With L

Chinese surnames are predominantly used by Han Chinese and Sinicized ethnic groups in Korea, Vietnam, Greater China, Singapore, and Malaysia. These family names are typically used before the first name and indicate one’s clan, royal lineage, origin, official rank, ancestors, occupation, or community.

113. Lai

Used commonly in Overseas Chinese communities, Lai is pronounced the same way in Hakka and Mandarin dialects. The surname translates to ‘depend on,’ ‘trust,’ or ‘rely on.’

114. Lam

The versatile last name is connected to three separate Chinese surnames. From Lin, Lam translates to ‘woods,’ from Luo, it means ‘to gather or collect,’ and from Lan, it means ‘blue.’

115. Lan

Primarily meaning ‘blue’ or referring to the ‘indigo plant,’ Lan has several other meanings. It translates as ‘orchid,’ ‘to practice,’ and ‘cold,’ to mention a few.

116. Lao

Popular in Mandarin and Cantonese dialects, Lao means ‘old,’ ‘experienced,’ or ‘venerable.’ It also means ‘consoling and rewarding’ in another interpretation.

117. Lau

Lau is popular in Shanghainese, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew, Hainanese, and Hokkiem dialects. It is said to connote a type of ‘battle ax’ or ‘to kill or slaughter.’

118. Le

The Mandarin surname is popularly used in Vietnam, alongside China. It derives from a character that denotes ‘happiness’ or ‘joy.’

119. Lei

Lei is the Cantonese form of the surname Li and the 69th surname in the Hundred Family Surnames poem. It means ‘thunder’ or ‘pile of stones.’

120. Leng

The Mandarin family name Leng translates to ‘cold.’ It is also considered a mispronunciation of Ling, meaning ‘to rise.’

121. Leong

Leong comes from the Chinese surname Long, and translates to ‘dragon’ or ‘imperial.’ This form of the surname is popular in Singapore and Malaysia.

122. Leung

Referring to the Liang dynasty, Leung is the Hong Kong version of the surname Liang. It means ‘bridge,’ ‘roof,’ or ‘beam.’

123. Li

Li, also spelled as Lee, is the second most common surname in China and the fourth surname mentioned in the classic Hundred Family Surnames poem. It means ‘plum’ or ‘plum tree.’

124. Lian

Lian is a Chinese Mandarin surname with several associated meanings. It means ‘white silk’ or ‘skilled’ in one interpretation and ‘lotus’ or ‘waterlily’ in another. It can also mean ‘waterfall.’

125. Liang

Derived from the Liang dynasty, this Mandarin Chinese surname means ‘roof beam’ or ‘bridge.’ It is also spelled as Leong, Leung, Liong, Niu, or Lio.

126. Liao

In Mandarin Chinese, the last name Liao translates to ‘spacious’ or ‘empty.’ However, in its Taiwanese version, it derives from Liu and means ‘battle-ax’ or ‘to slaughter.’

127. Lin

Lin is a rather popular Mandarin Chinese surname found in several Overseas Chinese communities. Also pronounced Lim in Taiwanese and Lum or Lam in Cantonese, Lin denotes ‘woods,’ ‘trees,’ or ‘forest,’ and also, ‘gemstone’ or ‘sun goddess.’ Fun fact: The character for Lin is pronounced as Hayashi in Japanese.

128. Ling

In Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese, the surname Ling means ‘to rise high.’ However, as the Shanghainese, Hokkien, Teochew, and Hakka pronunciation of Lin, it means ‘woods,’ ‘forest,’ or ‘trees.’

129. Linghu

A Chinese compound surname, Linghu or Ling-hu is a habitational surname. It refers to a historical place in modern-day Linyi county, Shanxi province.

130. Liu

In Mandarin Chinese, the surname Liu translates as ‘battle ax.’ It is considered the fourth-most common surname in Mainland China, with a vast majority of the Chinese community adopting it worldwide.

131. Lo

Popular in Cantonese and Hakka dialects, Lo means ‘to gather’ or ‘to sift.’ It can also be interpreted as a ‘journey,’ with Luo and Loh being its variant spellings.

132. Long

Although Long may also be considered an English surname, it has entirely different origins in Chinese. In Mandarin and Cantonese, it denotes ‘long, thriving’ or ‘grand, magnificent.’ It can also translate to ‘dragon’ and ‘imperial.’

133. Looi

In Chinese, Looi originates as a surname from two other family names that sound homophonic in the Cantonese dialect. The first is Lei, meaning ‘thunder,’ and the second is Lu, a habitational surname for the state of Lu in the Zhou dynasty.

134. Lor

Lor derives from the Lor or Lo clan of the Hmong people in China, Laos, and Vietnam. It translates as ‘gauze,’ or ‘to gather, catch, or sift.’

135. Lu

The Chinese surname is quite common and has several interpretations based on how it is written. Primarily, it is a habitational name from the state of Lu in the Zhou dynasty, but it can also be translated as ‘black,’ ‘land,’ ‘road,’ ‘reed,’ ‘salary,’ and ‘deer.’

136. Lua

Lua, depending on how it is written, can have two separate meanings in Chinese. As a derivative of Lai, it means ‘to depend on’ or ‘to renege,’ and as a variant of Liu, it means ‘battle-ax’ or ‘to kill.’

137. Luan

In Mandarin Chinese, Luan can be translated as ‘golden rain tree’ or can be a habitational name linked to Luan, a fiefdom from the state of Jin. Besides China, Luan is popular in Vietnam.

138. Lui

The surname Lui may be derived from any of three other Chinese last names. From Liu, it might indicate ‘battle ax,’ from Lyu, it translates to ‘pitch pipe,’ and from Lei, it means ‘thunder.’

139. Luo

Luo is a habitational surname emerging from the feudal state Luo of the Shang dynasty. It is transliterated as Lo and Law in Cantonese, Low in Teochew, Loke in Hokkien, and La in Vietnamese. Based on how it is written, it means ‘gauze’ or ‘to gather or collect.’

140. Ly

The Chinese surname Ly is widely believed to be a spelling variant of Li and is used by Hmong people of the Li clan in China and Vietnam. It translates to ‘plum’ or ‘plum tree.’

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Korean Last Names That Start With L

Surnames are a relatively new concept in Korea, with nearly half the population not having a last name until 1910. These surnames typically originate from Chinese and Japanese, and there are less than 300 surnames in use today. Of these, Korean last names that start with L are simultaneously the lowest in number and the most popular.

141. Lee

Lee is the second most common last name or family name in Korea, with over seven million people sharing it as of 2015. Also spelled as I or Yi, this surname means ‘plum tree’ or ‘principle,’ when written using the Hanja script.

142. Lim

The popular Korean surname is also spelled as Im or Rim and derives from the Chinese character pronounced the same way. As for its meaning, it denotes ‘forest,’ ‘trees,’ or ‘woods.’

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Spanish And Mexican Last Names That Start With L

Spanish and Mexican last names overlap because many Indigenous Mexicans took on Spanish surnames when the country was colonized by Spain. As a result, a vast majority of Spain, Mexico, Hispanic countries (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and so on), and Latin American countries use similar surnames.

143. Lagos

The classic habitational surname emerges from several places named Lagos in Galicia. On a different note, it is also a nickname for a timid person in Greek, derived from a word meaning ‘hare.’

144. Laguna

Laguna is a Spanish topographic surname. It means ‘pool’ or ‘pond,’ and derives from the Latin word lacuna, meaning ‘hollow hole.’

145. Lainez

The surname is a patronym derived from Lain and is popular among Spanish speakers in Central America. The personal name Lain commonly refers to ‘handsome,’ ‘bright,’ or ‘fair-haired.’

146. Landaverde

Landaverde is a Hispanic topographic surname commonly used in Mexico and El Salvador. It means ‘green meadow,’ from landa, ‘meadow,’ and verde, ‘green.’

147. Landeros

A popular surname in Mexico, Landeros has topographic origins and means ‘oak producing many acorns.’ It is also derived as a habitational name for someone living in an oak forest, from lande, meaning ‘acorn.’ It may also derive from landa, meaning ‘work,’ translating to ‘land of work.’

148. Lara

Although Lara is more commonly seen as a feminine given name, it has entirely different origins as a Spanish surname. It is a habitational name derived from Lara de los Infantes, a place in Burgos province.

149. Larios

Another popular Spanish habitational surname, Larios derives from two different places in Spain. It may come from Larios in the Cadiz province or Larios y San Gil from the Caceres province.

150. Lazaro

Lazaro is a Spanish and Portuguese given name and last name. It derives from the Hebrew surname Elazar, meaning ‘God helps,’ or may be linked to the Biblical Lazarus of Bethany, restored to life by Jesus four days after his passing.

151. Lazo

The unique surname Lazo has habitational origins from Lazo in Spain’s Coruna province. It also originates as a descriptive nickname meaning ‘hair ribbon’ or ‘shoelace.’

152. Leal

The Spanish, Portuguese, and English surname emerged as a nickname for a trustworthy or loyal person. It comes from the Latin word legalis, meaning ‘law,’ ‘faithful,’ and ‘obligations.’

153. Lebron

Lebrón or Lebron is a Spanish surname that emerged as a nickname. It derives from the Latin word lepus, meaning ‘hare,’ and was used to describe a timid or cowardly person.

154. Ledesma

The Spanish surname Ledesma is a habitational name derived from several places named Ledesma in Siora, Salamanca, and La Rioja provinces in Spain. It likely comes from a Celtic adjective meaning ‘wide’ or ‘broad.’

155. Lemus

Lemus is a Spanish and Portuguese surname of Galician descent. It is likely a spelling variant of Lemos or Elmos, meaning ‘elm tree.’

156. Leon

Leon emerged as a habitational surname from the city of Leon in Spain, which derived its meaning from the Latin legio, meaning ‘legion.’ Eventually, the city’s name became unetymologically associated with ‘lion,’ spelled león in Spanish. It also denotes a ‘brave warrior.’

157. Lepe

The surname Lepe also has habitational origins, much like the vast majority of Spanish last names. It comes from Lepe, a city in the Seville province.

158. Lerma

Lerma is also a habitational surname derived from a Spanish place name. It likely comes from Lerma in the Burgos province, Castilla la Vieja.

159. Levya

Another surname with habitational origins, Levya is a spelling variant of Leiva. It is the name of a city in the La Rioja province.

160. Lima

Lima is a Portuguese and Spanish surname derived as a topographic name for someone who ‘lives by the Limia River.’ It may also come from the Spanish word lima, meaning ‘file.’

161. Limon

As is apparent from the surname’s spelling, Limon refers to ‘lemon.’ It is a metonymic occupational surname for a grower or seller of lemons and is popular in Mexico.

162. Linares

Linares is an occupational name for a ‘linen merchant,’ derived from the Latin linarius. It is also a habitational surname from places named Linares in Jaen, Salamanca, Seville, Cantabria, Burgos, and Soria provinces. In this case, it is a plural of linar, meaning ‘flax field.’

163. Lira

Lira has habitational origins as a place name in the provinces of Coruña and Pontevedra in Galicia, Spain. It also derives from Libra in Latin and means ‘balance.’

164. Llamas

Not related to the animal, this surname is likely a habitational name from Llamas in Asturias, Spain, and is the plural form of llama, meaning ‘mud.’ It may also originate from the nickname Llama, meaning ‘flame.’

165. Loera

Loera emerged as a feminine nickname for Salvador, meaning ‘savior.’ It is also the Mexican form of Luera, a habitational name from Lluera in Asturias, Spain, associated with Nuestra Señora de Lluera, meaning ‘our lady of the light.’

166. Lomeli

The surname has Hispanic origins and is predominantly used in Mexico. It comes from the Italian surname Lomelino or Lomelini, a habitational name from Lomello, a town in Lombardy. It comes from the word lomo, meaning ‘ridge.’

167. Longoria

Another habitational surname of Spanish origin, Longoria comes from the Castilianized form of Llongoria. It is a town located in the Asturias province in Spain.

168. Lopez

Lopez is a patronymic surname meaning ‘son of Lope,’ where Lope is a personal name meaning ‘wolf.’ It is one of the most common surnames used among Hispanic communities in Spain and worldwide.

169. Lora

Lora is a feminine given name and habitational surname in Spanish, derived from Lorraine, a region in France. It also comes from Lora de Estepa or Lora del Rio, both in the Seville province in Spain.

170. Loredo

It is another popular habitational surname derived from places named Loredo in the Basque county or in the Cantabria and Asturias provinces. It comes from the Latin word lauretum, meaning ‘place of laurels.’

171. Lorenzo

Lorenzo is an Italian and Spanish masculine name and surname. It means ‘from Laurentum’ or ‘from the town of bay trees’ and is a derivative of Laurence or Lawrence.

172. Lovato

With Italian origins, Lovato comes from the Latin word Lupatus, meaning ‘wolf.’ In Spanish, this surname comes from Lobato, a cognate of the Italian Lovato.

173. Loya

The surname has localized Spanish origins. It is a habitational surname from Loya, located in Navarre, Spain.

174. Loyola

It is the Castilianized version of Loiola, a place name from Loiola in the Gipuzkoa and Biscay provinces in Basque County. It means ‘place of mud,’ combining loi, meaning ‘mud,’ with ola, meaning ‘place of.’

175. Lozano

The surname Lozano originated as a descriptive nickname for an ‘elegant’ or ‘haughty’ person, from the word lozano, meaning ‘splendid’ or ‘good-looking.’ It has Spanish and Italian-Swiss origins.

176. Lucero

Also derived from a nickname, the last name Lucero comes from luz, meaning ‘light.’ It can denote ‘morning star,’ ‘evening star,’ or ‘blaze marking on a horse.’

177. Lucio

With Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origins, Lucio comes from the Latin Lucius, meaning ‘light.’ It is also a habitational surname from the Pontevedra province in Galicia.

178. Lugo

Lugo has habitational origins from a city in Galicia, Spain. It may have been derived from the Celtic god Lugos or from a Roman settlement named Lucus Augusti, meaning ‘grove or wood or Augustus,’

179. Luis

Luis is the Spanish and Portuguese variant of the masculine name and surname Louis or Lewis. It means ‘famous warrior’ or ‘famed in battle.’

180. Lujan

The surname is derived as a habitational name from Lujan in Spain’s Huesca province. On an interesting note, it is also used as a surname by Native Americans, particularly the Navajos and Pueblos.

181. Luna

Luna is a feminine name with Latin origins, meaning ‘moon,’ a habitational surname derived from the same root. It refers to any place named Luna in Zaragoza, Alava, and Leon provinces in Spain.

Check these out for more Spanish last names and Mexican last names.

Italian Last Names That Start With L

Italians did not have family names until the 15th century when the upper classes started using them. They soon became commonplace and were used to denote geographical areas, nicknames or physical descriptors, patronyms, occupations, and even plants and animals.

182. La Rocca

Also spelled Larocca, it is a habitational name from any place named Rocca in Italy. It means ‘crag, precipice,’ or ‘stronghold, fortress.’ La Rocca also serves as a topographical surname for anyone living near a fortress or crag.

183. La Rosa

La Rosa or Larosa is an Italian surname derived from the Spanish De La Rosa, meaning ‘of the rose.’ It is also a topographical surname for anyone who resided near a rosebush.

184. La Torre

The Italian and Spanish surname is also spelled Latorre and is a habitational name for any place named La Torre in Italy or Spain. It means ‘the tower’ from the word torre, meaning ‘tower.’

185. Lamberti

The Italian surname is a plural and patronymic form of Lambert, a masculine name meaning ‘bright land’ or ‘famous land.’ This last name is also used in southern France and Corsica.

186. Landi

Landi is the patronymic or plural form of Lando, a masculine name and surname. Lando is a diminutive form of any name containing the element land, meaning ‘territory,’ such as Orlando, Landolfi, or Rolando.

187. Lanza

The surname Lanza has Italian and Spanish origins. It is a shortened form of any name ending in ‘-lanza’ or ‘-lancia,’ like Francallanza. It also means ‘lance,’ as a nickname for a soldier or lance maker.

188. Latini

Latini is the patronym form of the medieval personal name Latino. It was an ethnic name for anyone with Latin ancestors as opposed to Germanic, Slavic, or Byzantine.

189. Lauria

It is a habitational name for anyone hailing from Lauria in Potenza. Lauria is also spelled as Luria or Loria.

190. Lazzari

The Italian surname emerges as the patronymic or plural form of the personal name Lazzaro. Lazzaro has Hebrew roots meaning ‘God has helped,’ originating from the Biblical character Lazarus.

191. Lazzarini

Similar to the previous surname, Lazzarini is a patronymic and plural form of Lazzarino, a pet form of Lazzaro. It means ‘God has helped’ in Hebrew and is rooted in the New Testament character Lazarus, who was revived by Christ four days after his death.

192. Lentini

A habitational name, Lentini is also spelled as Lentine. It originates from Lentini in Siracusa province, Sicily.

193. Leo

A southern Italian surname, Leo emerged as a nickname for a ‘brave or fierce warrior.’ It is derived from the Latin leo, meaning ‘lion.’

194. Leonardi

Leonardi is the patronymic form of Leonardo, a masculine name meaning ‘brave as a lion’ or ‘lion-hearted.’ As a surname, Leonardi contains the suffix ‘-is,’ denoting ‘belonging to,’ thus making the overall meaning ‘part of the Leonardi family.’

195. Leone

This surname comes from the Italian personal name or nickname meaning ‘lion.’ It is used to refer to a ‘brave warrior’ or ‘fierce fighter.’

196. Leoni

Leoni is the patronymic and plural form of Leon, meaning ‘lions.’ It is believed to have originated from the Papal States and is also popularly used in southern France and Corsica.

197. Lepore

In Italian, the surname Lepore is said to have emerged from a nickname for a fleet-footed or timid person. It is a variant of the surname Lepre, meaning ‘hare.’

198. Liguori

The surname Liguori derives from the Latin word liguria, referring to ‘a type of precious stone.’ It is considered to have emerged from Italy’s Liguria region.

199. Lisi

Lisi is the shortened patronymic and plural form of the masculine name Aloisio. Also spelled Aloysius, it derives from Ludwig, meaning ‘famous in battle.’

200. Lo Presti

Meaning ‘the priest,’ Lo Presti is a unique surname also spelled Lopresti. It is an occupational surname denoting any person serving as a priest.

201. Locatelli

A typical Lombardic surname, Locatelli is the pluralized form of the habitational name Locatello. Locatello is located in Bergamo, Lombardy.

202. Lombardo

The surname denoted anyone hailing from Lombardy as a habitational surname, or a nickname for anyone from Northern Italy. Lombardy denoted the entire North Italian region during the time when surnames were in their nascent stages, which prompted this usage.

203. Longo

The Italian surname comes from the nickname Longo, referring to someone ‘tall,’ ‘long,’ or ‘ancient.’ It is a direct variant of lungo, derived from the Latin longus.

204. Longobardi

Longobardi is a patronymic and plural form of Longobardo. This ethnic name refers to Lombard, meaning ‘long beard.’ The Germanic group of Lombards ruled the Italian Peninsula from 568 to 774.

205. Longoni

Derived from the descriptive nickname for someone who is ‘long’ or ‘tall,’ Longoni is derived from the Latin word longus. It is also related to the surname Longo.

206. Lorenzi

Lorenzi is the plural and patronymic form of the surname and personal name Lorenzo. It is derived from the Italian form of Laurence or Lawrence, meaning ‘from Laurentum.’

207. Lorusso

The name and surname Lorusso comes from the Italian word rosso, meaning ‘red.’ It likely emerged as a descriptive nickname for a person with a reddish or ruddy complexion.

208. Lotti

Lotti is a common patronym and the plural form of Lotto. Lotto is derived as a nickname from the pet names ending in ‘-lotto,’ like Angelotto and Bartolotto.

209. Lucarelli

The last name Lucarelli derives from a diminutive of Luca as its patronymic form. Luca comes from Lucas, meaning ‘man from Lucania,’ ‘bright,’ and ‘shining.’

210. Lucchesi

Lucchesi is a patronym form of Lucchese, an ethnic name for someone hailing from Lucca. Lucca is a habitational name meaning ‘marshy,’ and comes from Lucas, meaning ‘bright.’

211. Luciani

Continuing with the trend of patronyms, Luciani is the patronymic form of Luciano. Luciano, in turn, derives from Lucio, which has Latin origins and means ‘light.’

212. Lunardi

Although it may seem that Lunardi has connections to Luna, it is not so. This patronymic surname is a variation of Leonardi, meaning ‘lion’ or ‘brave-hearted warrior.’

213. Lupi

Lupi is the Italian equivalent of the Spanish surname Lopez. It is derived from the same Latin root, lupus, meaning ‘wolf.’

214. Lupo

Another popular equivalent of the Spanish Lopez, Lupo is the spelling variant of Lupi. Derived from the Latin word lupus, it indicates ‘wolf.’

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