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Most last names across cultures have a meaning and a story behind them and often relate to a family’s origin, occupation, ancestors, etc. So, if you are looking for last names that start with ‘s,’ we have got you covered.
Names are derived from so many factors. It can be occupational, habitational, or even geographical. Read on to know some last names that start with ‘S’ from across the world.
Common Last Names Starting With S, In Different Origins
Italian Last Names that start with S
1. Sabina
This surname is originated from the Old French masculine name ‘Sabin’ or feminine ‘Sabine’. These words are derived from the Latin words ‘Sabinus’ or ‘Sabina’, meaning a member of the Sabine tribe.
2. Saccone
The surname ‘Saccone’ is derived from an old Tuscan name ‘Saccus’ or ‘Sacco,meaning ‘a sac’. This surname was given to those who made sacks and bags as their occupation. The surname ‘Saccone’ seems to have evolved from the word ‘Sacco’ in the Salerno province of Italy.
3. Saggio
Saggio is an Italian surname that means ‘wise’ and ‘learned’.It was derived from the Latin word ‘Sagax’ meaning ‘sharp’.
4. Sala
Sala or Salas are both different variations of the same last name. These last names are derived from the word ‘Sal’, which means ‘building’.
5. Saladino
The last name Saladino has unusual Muslim origins and has different forms and meanings in French and Italian. The meaning of this surname is ‘to open conjecture’. Famous personalities with this surname include Gaspar Saladino and Irving Saladino, among others.
6. Sanna
This common Italian surname means ‘Lily’.
7. Santoro
Italy has had its own share of saints, also depicted in the many prized artworks by known artists like Leonardo da Vinci and others. The last name ‘Santoro’ is named after feasts and saints and means ‘feast of all the saints’.
8. Sartori
Sartori is derived from the word ‘Sartos’, which means ‘tailor’. This is another occupational surname that is popular in Italy.
9. Scotti
This is an Italian last name beginning with ‘S’. ‘Scotti’ was the last name given to people coming to Italy from Scotland. ‘Scotto’ is a variation of this last name.
10. Segreto
Translating to ‘confidant’ in Italian, the last name ‘Segreto’ has its origins in the Latin word ‘secretum’, which means ‘a hidden place’. This surname was given to secret couriers and spies.
11. Serra
Also used as a first name, this common Italian last name means ‘ridge or a chain of hills’.
12. Sica
This last name means ‘victory’ and originates from the word ‘Sigi’.
Check out other popular Italian surnames here!
Greek Last Names Starting With S
13. Sacca
A surname similar to the Italian surname ‘Saccone’, Sacca is the occupational name given to the ‘maker and seller of sacks’.
14. Salamon
Also spelled ‘Solomon,’ it is a popular first and last name. This surname is derived from the ‘Son of Solomon’, an ancestor of the Greeks.
15. Samaras
This is an occupation-based surname that means ‘saddle maker’.
16. Sarris
This Greek surname has a Turkish origin and means ‘blonde’ or ‘light or fair-haired’.
17. Savas
This Greek last name originates from the word ‘Sabbath’ or Saturday and is taken from the Greek version of the holy ‘Sabbath’.
18. Scala
A surname that has its roots in Italy, Scala is a common Greek surname that means ‘ladder’, ‘steps’, or stairway.
19. Selinofoto
This is a Greek last name thatmeans ‘moonlight’.
20. Servopoulos
‘Opoulos’ is common in Greek last names and means ‘descendant of’. The last name ‘Servopoulos’ means a ‘descendent of a Serb’.
21 Sideris
This Greek surname has a rather interesting connection to the metal iron. ‘Sideris’ originates from the Greek word ‘iron’ and is infact, a wishful phrase used in Greek that translates to ‘may a child grow as strong as iron’.
22. Sotiropoulos
This surname is originated from the Greek first name Soterios and is derived from the Latin word for ‘nestling’ or ‘chick’.
23. Stefanopoulos
This Greek surname means a ‘son or descendent of Stefano’.
Check out more traditional and popular Greek last names in this article!
Irish Last Names Starting With S
24. Saar
Though this surname has multiple meanings from different origins, this surname translates to ‘The son of Sayer’ in Ireland.
25. Sack
The last name ‘Sack’ is now commonly found in both Britain and Ireland. But did you know the name has an Irish descent? It is derived from the French word ‘Sage’ and was used to denote the ‘wise’.
26. Saddler
Saddler is an occupational surname among the Irish. It was given to anyone who made saddles back in ancient times.
27. Salt
Irish with ‘Salt’ as their last name have their family roots in Medieval England. The surname came about due to the geographical location called ‘Of Salt’, a township in the parish of St. Mary and St. Chad.
28. Samson
Translating to ‘the Son of Samson,’ this last name is also found in many medieval manuscripts in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.
29. Samuel
The last name ‘Samuel’ in Ireland is originated from Medieval English and Hebrew texts introduced by Crusaders in the 12th century. The name means ‘the name of God’.
30. Scully
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Scully is a common Irish surname and is the anglicized and shortened form of ‘O Scolaidhe’, which means a ‘descendent of a scholar’.
31. Sheehy
It is an anglicized version of ‘Sitheach’ which means ‘peaceful’ in Gaelic. Sheehy is a common Irish last name that also means ‘mysterious’.
32. Sheeran
Do you know that the famous singer Ed Sheeran has Irish roots? Well, the last name Sheeran is derived from ‘O Sheeran’, or the anglicized ‘O Sirin’ meaning ‘descendant of Sirin or Sioran’. The word ‘Sioran’ also means ‘long-lasting’.
33. Sloan
Are you a fan of Grey’s Anatomy? Then you must have surely heard of the surname ‘Sloan’. This last name is an anglicized form of ‘Sluaghadhan’, an old Irish word for ‘raid’.
34. Sullivan
Do you know that Sullivan from the Frost & Sullivan group has Irish origins? Well, the last name ‘Sullivan’ is an anglicized form of ‘O Suileabhain’, which means ‘descendant of Suileabhan’.
Find these Irish last names amusing? Check out our list of popular last names here!
Did you know?Polish Last Names Beginning With S
35. Sadowski
This surname from denotes a person who belongs to the Sadowice or Sadowo province in the country. The word ‘Sadowski’ means ‘sad’ or ‘garden’ in Polish.
36. Serafin
This Polish last name is derived from ‘serafim’, which means ‘fiery ones’ in Hebrew. Thus, the name has a Biblical origin.
37. Sikora
Sikora is a Polish last name which is a nickname for a small, dark person. It translates to ‘titmouse’, a small bird.
38. Sitko
The Polish last name ‘Sitko’ is derived from the word ‘sito’, which translates to ‘a fine sieve’.
39. Skala
This surname is originated in Poland and was earlier used to refer to someone who lived around a prominent rock. Interestingly, the word ‘Skala’ means ‘rock’.
40. Slusarki
Poland has plenty of occupational last names. One among them is Slusarski, which is used to refer to locksmiths. This name is derived from the word ‘Slusarz’, meaning ‘locksmith’.
41. Smolak
Another occupational Polish last name, ‘Smolak’ means ‘pitch’ and is derived from ‘Smola’. It is a name given to a person who is a ‘distiller of a pitch’.
42. Sneigowski
Derived from the word ‘Sneig’ meaning ‘snow’, Sneigowski is a surname given to those who live around snow.
43. Sobol
Sobol is a Polish last name that was given to a fur trader. It is derived from the word ‘sobol’, a type of Marten (a wild animal).
44. Sokolowski
The last name Sokolowski is derived from the word ‘Sokol’,and means ‘falcon’. This name was given to those who belonged to any of the different places in the Sokolow province in Poland.
45. Sowka
This last name is unique and is derived from the Polish word for owl ‘sowa’.
46. Starek
The name Starek was earlier a nickname and has developed into a surname over the years. It is derived from the word ‘stary’, which means ‘old’.
47. Starowsta
This surname is derived from the Polish word meaning ‘leader’.
Explore more Polish last names in this article.
Spanish Last Names That Start With S
48. Salas
Salas is a Spanish last name for someone who works at a manor house. It is a plural of the word ‘sala’.
49. Salazar
A common Spanish last name, Salazar is derived from the combination of ‘Sala’ meaning ‘hall’ and ‘Zahar’ meaning ‘old’. Therefore, the word ‘Salazar’ means an ‘old hall’. It is also used to refer to people who were originally from the town of Salazar in Spain.
50. Salvador
This last name is derived from the Latin word ‘Salvator’, meaning ‘savior’.
51. Sanchez
A very common Spanish last name found across the world. ‘Sanchez’ means the ‘Son of Sancho’. The word ‘Sancho’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Sanctius’, meaning ‘holy’ or ‘saintly’.
52. Santana
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Santana is a combined form of the name ‘Saint Anna’. It is the last name for people who live near the church of St. Anna.
53. Santiago
This last name is derived from the name ‘Saint James’. The surname is said to have been given to people who lived near and around the church of St. James.
54. Serrano
‘Serrano’ means a ‘series of mountains’, and this last name was given to people who lived close to a mountain ridge or a chain of hills.
55. Sevilla
This last name was given to people who lived in the city of Seville in Spain.
Did you know?56. Solano
This last name is given to people who belonged to Solano in Spain. It is derived from the word ‘Sol’ meaning ‘Sun’ in Spanish.
57. Sosa
This Spanish last name is derived from the Latin word ‘salsus’, meaning ‘salty’. The surname was given to people who lived near the river Sousa.
58. Sotomayor
This Spanish surname is originated among people who lived in villages surrounded by forests or groves.
Found these Spanish names interesting? Here are a few more popular Spanish last names!
German Last Names Starting With S
59. Schafer
This popular German surname is derived from the word ‘Schafer’, which means shepherd in German.
60. Schmidt
This German last name is derived from the German word for ‘smith’, and was given to a blacksmith.
61. Schroder
Schroder is an occupational German last name for a tailor. The word ‘Shroder’ translates to ‘to cut’.
62. Schneider
Another occupational last name found among people of German origin, Schneider is used for a tailor or a woodcutter.
63. Stauder
This is a toponymic German last name given to someone who belongs to a thicketed area.
64. Schoff
This last name is derived from the German word ‘Schoup’ meaning ‘sheaf of grains’, and was given to an individual who was a brewer by occupation. Some people believe that the origin of this last name is from the word ‘Scheffe’, which means ‘juror’.
65. Schwing
Derived from the word ‘Swingen’ meaning ‘swing’ or ‘swingle’ in German, this last name was given to someone who removes the fiber from the flax plant using a wooden instrument called a swingle.
66. Schwein
An occupational name in German, ‘Schwein’ is the last name given to someone who rears and tends to swine and hogs.
67. Steuber
This common German last name is derived from ‘Stuba’, which means ‘room’ in German. You will be surprised to know that this is an occupational surname given to someone who owns a tavern, inn, or accommodation for travelers.
Check out a few more popular German last names here!
Jewish Last Names Starting With S
68. Sachs
This is a common Toponymic Jewish surname given to people who belonged to Saxony in Germany. The word ‘Sachs’ is derived from ‘sahs’, which means ‘knife’ or ‘small sword’ in Old German.
69. Sackman
A popular surname among Jews, ‘Sackman’ is derived from the word ‘Sack’, meaning ‘seed of the holy’.
70. Sandler
Did you know Adam Sandler was Jewish? The last name ‘Sandler’ is derived from the word ‘sandler’, which means ‘shoemaker’. People with this last name had ancestors who were cobblers.
71. Sas
This is a Jewish surname adopted by people who wrote the religious texts of the Jews.
72.Sasson
Sasson is a Jewish surname derived from ‘Sason’ meaning ‘joy’ or ‘happiness’ in Hebrew.
73. Schatzman
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The word ‘Schatz’ in German means ‘treasure’. This last name translates to ‘Treasure man’.
74. Schapiro
A variant of another Jewish last name ‘Shapiro’, ‘Schapiro’ is a toponymic name for the Jews who lived in Speyer, a city in Germany.
75. Shulman
This last name is derived from the word ‘shul’ meaning ‘synagogue’. This Jewish last name was adopted by people from the Shamash family line, who were caretakers of a synagogue.
76. Spiegelberg
This last name is not toponymic or occupational but an ornamental one. ‘Spiegelberg’ literally translates to ‘mirror mountain’.
77. Sternbach
This Jewish surname is derived from the German words ‘Stern’ meaning ‘star’ and ‘bach’, meaning ‘stream’.
78. Stillman
Though it was a nickname, this Jewish surname also has a German origin. It is derived from ‘still’, meaning ‘quiet’ and ‘mann’, meaning ‘man’.
Also check out these traditional Jewish last names.
Japanese Last Names Starting With S
79. Sato
One of the most common surnames found in Northeastern Japan, ‘Sato’ is derived from the words ‘Sa’, a bureaucratic title, and ‘To’ a Japanese character for Fuji. The word ‘To’ connects people with this surname to the Fujiwara Clan. There are many variations of this surname, including ‘Saitou’, ‘Saitoh’ and ‘Saito’.
80. Sakai
In Japanese, the language is predominantly character-based. The Japanese character ‘Sake’ is ‘rice wine’ and also means ‘well’. There are quite a few popular personalities with this surname, including Kiyoshi Sakai and Maki Sakai.
81. Sakaguchi
This Japanese surname is found in Western Japan and means ‘the one who lives on the slope’.
82. Sakamaki
This ancient Japanese last name is a combination of the words ‘Saka’ meaning ‘slope’, ‘incline’ or ‘hill’ and ‘Maki’ meaning ‘shepherd’, ‘feed’ or ‘pasture.
83. Sakurai
Sakurai translates to ‘cherry blossomed well’ and is commonly found in the eastern part of Japan.
84. Sano
‘Sano’ in Japanese means ‘small field’, many of which are found across Japan.
85. Sasaki
The letter ‘Sa’ means ‘help’ and ‘ki’ means ’tree’. This surname is also popular in the Northeastern parts of Japan.
86. Shibata
This last name has two meanings as per Japanese pronunciation. While one name means ‘rice paddy’ and belongs to the Tachibana family, the other name means ‘brushwood’ found on the island of Kyushu.
87. Shima
This Japanese last name means ‘island’ and is mostly found in the Kyoto-Osaka area of Japan.
88. Sone
This surname is common in the Eastern parts of Japan and on the Ryuku Islands. ‘Sone’ means ‘former’ or ‘ancestor’ in Japanese.
89. Sugimoto
This surname is found among the descendants of Miura and Ishii families. Sugimoto means ‘the one who lives beneath the cedars’ and refers to a village near Kamakura.
90. Suzuki
This famous Japanese surname means ‘bell tree’ and is derived from the pampas grass called ‘Susuki’ found in Japan. Interestingly, this is the second-most common surname in Japan.
Here are a few more popular Japanese last names you might have heard of!
French Last Names Starting With S
91. Sale
Sale in French means ‘salty’. This surname is believed to have given to those who lived near or worked in a salty marsh.
92. Sartre
This French surname has an occupational origin. It was given to people who sewed clothes as it is said to have been derived from the Latin word ‘Sartor’ meaning ‘tailor’.
93. Sauveterre
This surname has two parts– ‘sauve’, which means ‘safe’ and ‘terre’, which means ‘land’.
94. Schaeffer
Though a common French surname, Schaeffer has its roots in Germany. It is derived from ‘schafaerre’, meaning ‘manager’ or the ‘head of the household’.
95. Segal
Segal is a French occupational surname that means ‘a grower or a seller of rye’. The surname has Latin origins from the word ‘secale’, meaning ‘rye’.
96. Sergeant
This French surname is derived from the word ‘sergent’ meaning ‘servant. This word is derived from the Latin word ‘servire’, which means ‘to serve’.
97. Serres
This is a toponymic French surname that has been derived from the word ‘serre’, meaning a ‘ridge’ or ‘chain of hills’.
98. Serrurier
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This French surname was given to people who were locksmiths by profession.
99. Simon
This is a common last name found in Europe, which also has French historical origins. The literal translation of ‘Simon’ is ‘to listen’.
100. Soulier
This is another French occupational surname derived from an old French word ‘soulier’, meaning shoemaker. It may also have been derived from the word ‘soule’ meaning ‘platform’.
Want to learn more about traditional and classy French last names? Check this article.
American Last Names That Start With S
101. Sampson
The last name ‘Sampson’ is modified from ‘Samson’, which means the ‘son of Samson’. There are many other variations of this name, like Sansum, Samson, and Samsen.
102. Sanders
This American last name is derived from Alexander the Great. Bernie Sanders is a famous person with this surname, introduced in Britain by crusaders and later found its way to America.
103. Sawyer
Did this American last name remind you of Mark Twain’s famous Tom Sawyer? This surname is an occupational one that finds its origin in Medieval England. The surname means ‘sawer of wood’.
104. Scott
This last name has Scottish origins and was associated with a Scotsman who conquered Scotland’s west coast in the 5th century AD. Walter Scott is a famous writer with this last name.
105. Shaw
This is a Geographical American surname that has an English origin. It was a surname given to people who resided beside a small wood or shaw.
106. Shelton
This name is derived from the word ‘Scylf’ in Old English, which means ‘shelf’, ‘enclosure’, or ‘settlement’.
107. Shepherd
Shepherd is one of the common British surnames in the US. This last name is an occupational one and was given to someone who tends to sheep and cattle.
108. Sidney
Sidney is a popular first and last name in the USA and comes in different spellings. In Old English, ‘Sidney’ means‘ wide island’.
Sidney or Sydney is a much-loved last name that has been a part of popular fiction. K.M Sheard, a writer, says, “Sydney Carton of A Tale of Two Cities is one of my personal favorite characters — I’ve mentioned before my preference for the flawed hero, and Sydney epitomizes flawed hero so well. Nowadays, Sidney is the preferred spelling (i).”
109. Simmons
The last name ‘Simmons’ is believed to have an English lineage and became popular among the Cornish People.
110. Simpson
Simpson is a popular last name in the US. Simpson means ‘the son of Sim or Simon’. The surname became famous because of the cartoon in the same name.
111. Smith
A common surname in the US, Smith refers to a metalworker or a blacksmith. There are many famous personalities with this last name.
112. Spencer
The last name ‘Spencer’ will take you straight to British nobility. But, ‘Spencer’ is also a common American surname and has its roots in England. It is derived from the word ‘spense’, which means ‘pantry’.
113. Stanley
Though a popular American last name, ‘Stanley’ is derived from Old English and means ‘stone clearing’. Many notable individuals carry this surname.
114. Stevens
Stevens is one of the well-known American surnames with roots in the European continent. It means the ‘son of Stephen’.
115. Stone
An American last name with British origins, this toponymic name was given to anyone who lived near a rock, a stone-boundary marker, or a stone monument.
116. Stewart
Stewart has Scottish origins and was a title given to the officer, who looked after estates of a royal or noble household. Martha Stewart, the American businesswoman, is a popular individual with this last name.
117. Sullivan
This American surname has Irish origins and is derived from the word ‘suil’ meaning ‘eye. ‘Sullian’ is the 92nd most common surname in the US and the third most common in Ireland.
118. Summer
‘Summer’ is a first name and last name of both English and German origin. American jazz cellist Mark Summer is a popular personality with this last name.
119. Summerfield
This American surname finds its roots in Britain from Summerfield in Wiltshire. It is a habitational last name.
120. Swanson
This is a relatively common American last name derived from the word ‘swein’, which means ‘servant’.
A few American last names are also used as first names. Check out this interesting article to know more!
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Illustration: Common Last Names That Start With S With Meanings
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are the last names Sullivan and O’Sullivan related?
Yes. The name Sullivan is a first name and surname, while O’Sullivan is its variant used as a surname only. O’Sullivan means ‘of Sullivan’ in Irish and refers to someone who is a descendant of a person named Sullivan.
2. Are the last names Smith and Schmidt related?
Yes. Smith is an occupational surname referring to those who worked as blacksmiths. The name comes from Old English. Schmidt is the Middle High German variant of the name and has the same meaning.
3. Are last names starting with S more common in certain cultures?
Some cultures or languages may seem to have more last names starting with the letter S. However, surnames beginning with S are almost found in every culture. It is only that some surnames tend to get more widespread recognition or attain popularity than others.
Surnames or last names generally have fascinating histories and deep-rooted origins. Regardless of the origin or location, each name has a story to tell. While some last names have unusual meanings, others may simply reflect their forefathers’ occupations. Due to migration and colonization, some last names can be found in more than one country. So, the next time you come across a celebrity or individual with any of the above-mentioned last names that start with ‘S,’ you may be able to better understand their background without even asking.
Infographic: Last Names That Start With “S”
Last names such as Sheeran and Smith are famous around the globe. So, scroll through this infographic to know the origins of some last names starting with the letter S. If the letter S is among your favorites, this list of last names starting with the letter will be a worthy read. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Last names starting with ‘S’ originate from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds, including Italian, Greek, Irish, Polish, Spanish, German, Jewish, Japanese, and American, each carrying distinct meanings.
- Many surnames reveal ancestral ties, offering insights into a family’s history and heritage.
- Last names like Saddler (saddle maker) and Schmidt (blacksmith) originate from traditional occupations, highlighting valued skills and trades in their cultures.
- Surnames like Sevilla (from Seville) and Sadowski (from Sadowice or Sadowo) reflect geographical origins, connecting family names to specific locations.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. What the Dickens! — Part II.https://namenookdotcom.wordpress.com/tag/sidney/
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