Looking for perfect Western last names for your little wrangler or a character in your story? Saddle up and ride on over because we have got the lowdown on Wild West names that’ll make your tale stand out.
When it comes to cowboy last names, there’s no shortage of options. From famous bandits to cattle wranglers, the Wild West is packed with memorable characters and unique monikers. But where do you start your search?
One option is to delve into the rich history of the American frontier. Native Americans have left behind a legacy of diverse cultures and languages. Many Native American last names carry deep meanings, reflecting the traditions and heritage of their tribes.
For example, names like “Cody” or “Montgomery” have roots in English and Scottish heritage, while others like “Laramie” have French origins. Whether you are looking for something cute and catchy or powerful and commanding, explore our list of the country’s last names for insightful ideas.
If you love these names, we hope you will also like Native American Female Names, Norse Names Female, Female Russian Names, and Russian Boy Names.
Best Western Last Names
Armstrong – Derived from Middle English arm, meaning arm, and strong, meaning strong, it likely indicates someone with strong arms.
Baldwin – Derived from the Old French name Baudoin, which itself is derived from the Germanic elements bald, meaning bold, and wine, meaning friend.
Barrett – Derived from the Old English words bar, meaning bear, and rett, meaning stronghold,
Beckett, It comes from the Old English words beo, meaning bee, and cot, meaning cottage, indicating a cottage where bees were kept.
Blackwood – This surname is derived from the Old English blæc, meaning black, and wudu, meaning wood.
Blair – Derived from the Gaelic word blar, meaning field or plain
Bowers – Derived from the Middle English word bower, meaning dwelling or shelter,
Bradford comes from the Old English words brād, meaning broad, and ford, meaning ford, indicating a wide river crossing.
Brock is derived from the Old English word Broc, which means badger or young stag.
Buchanan – The name likely comes from the Gaelic elements buth, meaning house, and Chanain, meaning Canon.
Buckner – Derived from the Old English word bucca, meaning buck or he-goat,
Burnett – It comes from the Old English meaning stream and island or low-lying land.
Chambers – Originates from the Middle English meaning room or chamber,
Chapman – Derived from the Old English meaning market man or peddler
Cooper – An occupational surname for a cooper, someone who made barrels or casks.
Cunningham – It comes from the Gaelic words cuinneag, meaning milk pail, and ham, meaning farm.
Dalton originates from a place named Valley Town in Old English.
Donovan – Derived from the Irish surname Ó Donnabháin, meaning brown or brave
Ellison – Derived from the Old English name Ælfgēn, composed of the elements ælf meaning elf and gēn meaning descendant,
Galloway – It comes from the Gaelic words galow, meaning stranger, and daidh, meaning dark.
Graves – Derived from the Old English word graf, meaning grove or thicket,
Holden – Derived from the Old English words hol, meaning hollow, and denu, meaning valley.
Hudson – From the Old English hūd meaning hood and sā meaning sea or lake.
Langston – It comes from the Old English words lang, meaning long, and stan, meaning stone.
Marshall – An occupational surname for someone who was a marshal, an officer in charge of a royal household
Mercer – Derived from the Old French word Mercier, meaning merchant
Morrison is derived from the Gaelic name MacGilleMhoire, which means son of the servant of Mary.
Powers – Derived from the Middle English word power, meaning strength or authority,
Preston is a locational surname referring to someone from any of the several places named Preston in England.
Ramsey – It comes from the Old English meaning wild garlic
Randall is derived from the Middle English name Randel, meaning rim or shield.
Sinclair – Derived from the Gaelic words meaning descendant of Conn
Stanton – It comes from the Old English words stan meaning stone, and tūn, meaning enclosure or settlement.
Sutton – Derived from the Old English meaning south, an enclosure or settlement,
Western Last Names For Girls
Cheyenne (Native American) – Derived from a Dakota word meaning red speakers or people of a different language.
Dakota (Native American) is derived from the Sioux word dakhóta, meaning ally or friend. It is also the name of a Native American tribe.
Delaney (Irish) – Derived from the Irish surname Ó Dubhshláine, meaning descendant of Dubhshláine.
Monroe (Scottish) is a locational surname for someone from the village of Monroe in Scotland. It comes from the Gaelic words mòr, meaning big, and bheann, meaning hill.
Savannah (English) – Derived from the Taino word zabana, meaning grassy plain, it reflects openness and natural beauty.
Sierra (Spanish): Derived from the Spanish word for mountain range, it reflects strength and beauty.
Western Last Names For Boys
Boone (English) – Derived from the Old French word bon, meaning good or kind, indicating someone with positive qualities.
Dallas (Scottish) is a locational surname for someone from the city of Dallas in Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic word dail, which means meadow or valley.
Garrett (English) – Derived from the Old English personal name Gerald, which is composed of the elements ger, meaning spear, and weald, meaning rule.
Houston (Scottish) is a locational surname for someone from the town of Houston in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Travis (English) – Derived from the Old French word traverser, meaning to cross,
Cowboy Last Names
Colter (English) – Derived from the Old English personal name Cola, meaning coal or dark, possibly indicating someone with dark hair or complexion.
Marshall (English) – An occupational surname for someone who was a marshal, an officer in charge of a royal household
Ryder (English) – Derived from the Middle English word rider, which means rider or mounted warrior
Slater (English) – An occupational surname for someone who worked with slate, such as a slate cutter or roofer
Walker (English) – Derived from the Middle English word walker, meaning a fuller of cloth or a worker of woolen cloth
West (English) – A topographic surname for someone who lived to the west of a settlement or geographic feature
Country Last Names
Brooks (English) – Derived from the Old English word broc, meaning stream.
Carter (English) – Derived from the Middle English word carter, meaning one who uses a cart.
Clayton (English) – It comes from the Old English words clæg, meaning clay, and tun, meaning enclosure or settlement.
Dixon (English) – Derived from the personal name Dick, a medieval diminutive of Richard, meaning brave power or strong ruler.
Fields (English) – A topographic surname for someone who lived or worked in open fields or meadows.
Hayes (English) – Derived from the Old English word hǣs, meaning brushwood or hedge.
Sawyer (English) – An occupational surname for someone who worked as a sawyer, cutting wood with a saw.
Shepherd (English) – Derived from the Middle English word.
Turner (English) – An occupational surname for someone who worked as a turner, shaping wood or metal on a lathe
Unique Cowboy Surnames
Blaze (English) – Associated with someone adventurous or pioneering.
Bronco (Spanish) is a surname inspired by the wild and untamed spirit of the Bronco.
Colt (English) – A surname evoking the image of a young horse, symbolizing strength, agility, and vitality.
Dusty (English) – A descriptive surname evoking the dusty, arid landscapes of the Western frontier
Rodeo (Spanish) – A surname associated with the exciting and competitive world of rodeo, reflecting skills in horsemanship, roping, and cattle handling.
Stetson (English) – Possibly derived from the iconic Stetson cowboy hat.
Westwood (English) – A surname suggestive of someone who lived in or hailed from the western wooded areas, combining elements of Western geography and nature
Wrangler (English) – An occupational surname for someone who worked as a wrangler, managing and tending to horses or livestock
Badass Cowboy Last Names
Bloodhound (English) is a surname that evokes the image of a relentless tracker or pursuer.
Desperado (Spanish) is a surname associated with reckless and daring outlaws or bandits.
Gunslinger (English) – Associated with law enforcement or outlaws in the Wild West.
Hellfire (English) – Often used to describe individuals known for their fierce determination and unwavering resolve.
Outlaw (English) – A surname suggestive of someone who lived outside the law or engaged in lawless activities
Renegade (English) – A surname suggestive of someone who defied societal norms or authority.
Savage (English) – Often associated with those who lived on the fringes of civilization or embraced a rugged lifestyle.
Sharpshooter (English) – Symbolizing strength, accuracy, and confidence
Viper (English) is a surname evoking the image of a deadly serpent, often associated with cunning and ruthlessness.
Wild West Surnames
Carson (Scottish) – Derived from the Gaelic personal name Carr, meaning spear.
Cassidy (Irish) – Derived from the Irish surname Ó Caiside, meaning descendant of Caiside.
Cody (English) is derived from the Old English personal name Cuda or Cuthwine, which means friend or companion.
Colton (English) – Meaning coal town in Old English, indicating someone from a city associated with coal mining or production
Holliday (English) – Derived from Middle English holy and day
Laramie (French) – The name is derived from the French surname La Ramie, which could be related to the Latin word ramus, meaning branch.
Montgomery (Scottish) – A locational surname originating from various places named Montgomery in Scotland and France.
Winchester (English) – A locational surname referring to someone from the city of Winchester in Hampshire, England
Wyatt (English) – Derived from the Old English personal name, which means hardy or brave.
Wrap Up
From the dusty trails of the frontier to the rich heritage of Native American tribes, each Western last name carries a piece of history and a sense of adventure. We hope these ideas will help you create unforgettable characters and embrace the spirit of the Wild West.