Medieval surnames had a far more important meaning attached to them in Medieval England than perhaps they do now when we effectively inherit our surname. Medieval names usually meant something and below are some of the more common surnames found in Medieval England and their meaning.
| Ashdown | Dweller on ash-tree hill |
| Baker | Maker of bread |
| Bennett | blessed |
| Bigge | Big and Strong |
| Brickenden | Maker of bricks |
| Brooker | Dweller by the brook |
| Browne | Brown haired or dark skinned |
| Carpenter | Maker of wooden objects |
| Cheeseman | Maker of cheese |
| Clarke | Scholar, cleric or secretary |
| Cooper | Wooden bucket maker |
| Fletcher | Maker of arrows |
| Foreman | Looks after pigs |
| Godfrey | God-peace |
| Gregory | Watchful |
| Hughes | Son of Hugh |
| Mannering | Manly |
| Nash | Dweller by the ash tree |
| Payne | Pagan |
| Rolfe | Peasant |
| Taylor | Maker of clothes |
| Walter | Dweller by water |
| Ward | Guardian or watchman |
| Webb | Weaver |
| Wood | Dweller by the wood |
