Last names often tell a story about family history and can reflect important meanings. Some last names have darker meanings, linked to misfortune, tragedy, or bad luck. These names might come from ancient beliefs, historical events, or even occupations that carried a heavy burden. Understanding these last names can shed light on how our ancestors viewed life.
Today, we will look at last names associated with misfortune. From names that imply sadness to those linked to grievous events, these surnames have powerful stories behind them. By uncovering these meanings, we can gain insight into past cultures and the challenges they faced.
Last Names That Mean Misfortune
1. Sorrow
The Sorrow surname is a direct reflection of sadness and grief, representing its bearer as someone who embodies misfortune or tragedy.
2. Bane
Bane refers to something that causes distress or ruin. This last name literally signifies someone who brings misfortune to others.
3. MacNaughton
This Gaelic name means ‘son of the unfortunate one’. Hence, it carries a lineage of misfortune and hardship.
4. Doan
The surname Doan means ‘burden’ or ‘sorrow’. It reflects the weariness of those who have faced many trials in life.
5. Woe
This last name directly connects to the word for sorrow, making it a strong representation of misfortune.
6. Foulke
Foulke means ‘to be unlucky’ or ‘unfortunate’, embedding misfortune in its very meaning.
7. McKee
The name McKee, derived from Irish, can mean ‘descendant of Ceid’, but traditional contexts often relate it to unfortunate events in history.
8. Blight
Blight indicates decay and hardship, representing a family’s history of trials and misfortunes.
9. Gloom
This surname signifies darkness and despair, presenting a family lineage marked by misfortune.
10. Caine
Caine often refers to a ‘sorrowful’ person, making it linked to misfortune in emotional realms.
11. Drear
The last name Drear ties closely to sadness and despair, embodying the essence of misfortune.
12. Lament
This surname directly refers to expressions of grief or sorrow, inherently linking it to misfortune.
13. Dole
Dole means sadness or grief, reflecting strong ties to misfortune and hardship.
14. Foulks
This last name signifies being unfortunate or unlucky, thus connoting a legacy of misfortune.
15. Despair
The name Despair evokes feelings of hopelessness, making it representative of true misfortune.
16. Bouchard
Bouchard, which can relate to someone who causes trouble or misfortune to others, aligns closely to the theme.
17. Montalvo
This name can mean ‘mountain pass’, but it is also associated with tales of misfortune in history.
18. Tragedy
Surnames like Tragedy symbolize despair, inherently linked to misfortune.
19. Putz
Putz has connections to mistakes or faults, representing a lineage of misfortune.
20. Malice
Malice refers to the desire to cause harm, creating a connotation of sent misfortune.
21. Cursed
The last name Cursed directly implies a sense of misfortune, making it a powerful example.
22. Doom
Doom embodies an inescapable fate, often associated with calamity and disaster.
23. Malevolence
This name embodies the idea of ill will, leading to misfortune for oneself and others.
24. Hectic
Hectic reflects chaotic and troubled life experiences tied to misfortune.
25. Peril
The name Peril symbolizes danger and risk, often resulting in unfortunate circumstances.
26. Caden
Caden signifies battles or strife, linking to the burdens of misfortune.
27. DeVille
This name implies a connection to ill-fated places or a history of misfortune.
28. Blashford
Blashford connects to a theme of crying or sadness, thus resonating with misfortune.
29. Grievous
Grievous directly ties to suffering, making it an apt representative of misfortune.
30. Morrow
Referring to tomorrow, this name also invokes the concept of losses from the past.
31. Caldwell
This surname, which can imply a cold well, can symbolize misfortune through drought or despair.
32. Tyndale
The name Tyndale evokes tragedies linked to historical events, adding to its misfortune narrative.
33. Norrell
Norrell means ‘from the north’, but Northern folklore often associates it with hard times.
34. Devereux
This name can also imply disaster, showing a legacy of misfortune.
35. Thorn
The Thorn surname represents pain and suffering through its association with thorny situations.
36. Darnell
Darnell indicates a type of plant that often grows in poor conditions, thus symbolizing misfortune.
37. Corvus
Crows are symbols of death and misfortune in many cultures, linking this surname to tragedy.
38. Hawthorn
This name highlights the beauty of nature yet invokes caution, as hawthorns are often seen as linked to a tragic fate.
39. Galt
This unique surname encompasses themes of ruin and misfortune, often found in older tales.
40. Sisk
The surname Sisk connects to misfortune through its pronunciation which resembles words for sorrow.
41. Grave
This last name very clearly represents the finality and sadness linked to misfortune.
42. Tarn
Tarn can evoke feelings of isolation and sadness, directly tying it to misfortune.
43. Nightingale
This name often symbolizes sorrowful themes, singing of loss and despair.
44. Drinkwater
This captivating name may signal hardship and struggle associated with obtaining basic needs.
45. Dummett
This last name can reflect a history of being unlucky, as it associates with a negative connotation.
46. Fenner
The name Fenner symbolizes wetlands often seen as places of misfortune.
47. Teague
This name links closely to misfortune, as it can imply sorrow through its roots.
48. Tómas
Connecting to biblical narratives, Tómas often reflects themes of doubt and misfortune.
49. Nevill
This name is linked to historical misfortunes, often remembered through tragic contexts.
50. Backus
Backus signifies trouble or hardships faced in life, hence connecting to misfortune.
51. Forde
Meaning ‘river crossing’ can symbolize challenging life journeys and misfortune.
52. Craze
This surname denotes chaos or tumult, inherently linked to themes of misfortune.
53. Gwynne
The last name Gwynne symbolizes sorrow, directly tying it to misfortune in various contexts.
54. Kilvet
Meaning ‘unlucky’, Kilvet is a clear representation of a name tied to misfortune.
55. Stoned
Stoned signifies emotional burdens and can connect to a history of misfortunes.
56. Holloway
This name is connected to a depressive setting, often invoking feelings of misfortune.
57. Longshadow
A name suggesting the looming presence of sadness or hardship associated with misfortune.
58. Vox
This surname represents a voice often raised in lament, signifying misfortune.
59. Ardent
A connotation of fiery passion tied to a tragic or unfortunate past.
60. Wynd
This name suggests a winding path that could symbolize challenging life journeys filled with misfortune.
61. Shade
Shade often represents darkness, hinting at a history of misfortune.
62. Sable
This name again emphasizes darkness, directly linking to feelings of sorrow and misfortune.
63. Fray
Fray signifies conflict and struggles in life that align with the themes of misfortune.
64. Barrow
Barrow has associations with mounds marking the resting areas of the unfortunate and dead.
65. Galloway
This last name reflects ties to historical executions, thus connecting to misfortune.
66. Crumble
The surname Crumble invokes images of decay and disintegration, truly reflecting misfortune.
67. Vex
Vex refers to distress, thus embodying feelings of misfortune.
68. Forsaken
Forsaken connects deeply with the idea of abandonment, strongly implying misfortune.
69. Bitter
This last name directly signifies hardship and unpleasant experiences, linking closely to misfortune.
70. Riddle
Riddle suggests confusion and complexity, resonating with the difficulties tied to misfortune.
71. MacDonald
A name historically tied to tragic events, linking it to themes of misfortune.
72. Phantom
This surname embodies the idea of loss or things left behind, inherent in misfortune narratives.
73. Destitute
This last name emphasizes poverty, showcasing a family history steeped in misfortune.
74. Wretched
A clear reflection of despair and unfortunate circumstances, embodying its connection to misfortune.
75. Mourn
This name quite transparently links to sorrow, evoking themes of misfortune.
76. Chagrin
Chagrin often represents feelings of embarrassment or disappointment, closely tied to misfortune.
77. Penance
This surname reminds us of remorse and suffering, linking directly to misfortune.
78. Causton
Means ‘burned ground’, representing the devastation often linked to misfortune.
79. Fragile
This name signifies vulnerability and breakage, resonating with themes of misfortune.
80. Ashby
Ashby can symbolize the regrowth following destruction, reflecting a history of misfortune.
81. Naughton
This name points to negative outcomes, representing a theme of misfortune.
82. Casserole
Embodies the essence of gathering after loss, implying stories of misfortune.
83. Craven
This surname means cowardly, often linking to the misfortune of facing fears.
84. Grumpy
Grumpy signifies a constant state of dissatisfaction, inherently linking to misfortune.
85. Hurley
Typically represents overwhelming challenges faced, symbolizing a legacy of misfortune.
86. Mourning
This name is thoroughly associated with loss and sorrow, making it profoundly representative of misfortune.
87. Pitch
Pitch connects to dark and unhappy themes, resonating with misfortune.
88. Kreiger
This surname reflects battles faced through trials, linking to misfortune narratives.
89. Lamentation
Directly refers to sorrowful expressions, embodying feelings of misfortune.
90. Plight
Plight speaks to difficult circumstances, clearly linking to themes of misfortune.
91. Snafu
Indicating complicated situations, Snafu connects to misfortune through its meaning.
92. Fumble
This name denotes hardships through mistakes, thus superficially relating to misfortune.
93. Scorn
The last name Scorn represents disdain and pain, tying it to misfortune.
94. Thornberry
This surname brings to mind painful plant life, showcasing misfortune.
95. Quagmire
Quagmire symbolizes being stuck in a troublesome situation, hence connecting to misfortune.
96. Shackle
The surname Shackle signifies being bound by struggles, evoking misfortune themes.
97. Hurt
This name embodies emotional pain, resulting in strong connections to misfortune.
98. Tenebris
Connecting to darkness, Tenebris symbolizes sorrow and hence misfortune.
99. Stumble
This name signifies falling down, perhaps alluding to a life filled with misfortune.
100. Graves
Graves relates directly to loss and death, making it a poignant representation of misfortune.
101. Broken
Broken refers to being shattered, symbolizing the hardships tied to misfortune.
102. Miasma
Miasma represents pollution and decay, metaphorically linking to misfortune.
103. Vile
This surname symbolizes negativity, connecting to themes of misfortune.
104. Cripple
Cripple indicates a stable connection to weakness or misfortune.
105. Ghost
The last name Ghost implies lingering sorrows tied to misfortune.
106. Bleak
Bleak directly indicates hopelessness, evoking a sense of profound misfortune.
107. Cinders
Cinders represent the remnants of a fire, linking to loss and misfortune.
108. Evenfall
This name represents the twilight of life, tying it to the themes of misfortune.
109. Drudge
Meaning hardship, this name symbolizes the burden of misfortune.
110. Shackleton
Evoking images of a harsh past, Shackleton symbolizes encounters with misfortune.
111. Perkins
This last name has associations with calamity, linking directly to misfortune.
112. Fracture
Fracture symbolizes breakage and damage, intrinsically connecting to themes of misfortune.
113. Pestilent
This name represents decay or disease, tying thematically to misfortune.
114. Juggernaut
Representing a force that causes destruction, Juggernaut captures dire misfortune.
115. Desolation
Directly representing emptiness and despair, Desolation connects profoundly to misfortune.
116. Gloomy
This last name evokes feelings of sadness and despair, aligning with the idea of misfortune.
117. Widow
Widow connects directly with themes of loss, representing deep misfortune.
118. Troubled
The name Troubled signifies a life filled with challenges, representing misfortune.
119. Hobbled
This surname links to being held back or impeded, symbolizing misfortune.
120. Merriman
Merriman evokes an ironical connection where its cheerful tone juxtaposes misfortune.
121. Dasher
Dasher conveys a sense of urgency tied to unfortunate situations.
122. Hatred
Hatred signifies a complex emotion often linked to unfavorable circumstances and misfortune.
123. Fear
Implying dread, this surname links closely to the theme of misfortune.
124. Torment
Torment represents suffering, highlighting its connection to misfortune.
125. Lyre
The Lyre often evokes songs of sorrow, thus aligning with themes of misfortune.
126. Drought
Drought signifies lack and hardship, linking it to significant misfortunes.
127. Grieve
The surname Grieve connects directly to mourning, evoking themes of misfortune.
128. Melancholy
Melancholy symbolizes profound sadness, making it a strong representation of misfortune.
129. Blunder
The last name Blunder signifies mistakes made that lead to unfortunate results.
130. Torrey
This name directly connects with troubled waters, linking to themes of misfortune.
131. Curdt
Curdt offers themes of misfortune due to misread intentions.
132. Burnt
Burnt symbolizes loss through damage, creating a strong connotation of misfortune.
133. Despondent
This surname implies hopelessness, directly relating to themes of misfortune.
134. Choke
This name symbolizes feeling trapped, thus connecting to misfortune narratives.
135. Ruin
Ruin signifies the loss of structure or stability, connecting deeply with misfortune.
136. Whittle
This last name suggests gradual erosion of happiness, relating closely to misfortune.
137. Decay
Decay signifies a decline or deterioration, symbolizing unfortunate events.
138. Scowl
Scowl suggests a perpetual display of dissatisfaction, hinting at a life of misfortune.
139. Falsehope
Falsehope means the absence of joy, thus representing misfortune deeply.
140. Ragged
Ragged evokes images of ruined fabric embodying the life fabric marked by misfortune.
141. Quarrel
Quarrel represents conflict, inherently linking it with misfortune.
142. Chained
This surname connects to being bound by unfortunate experiences, symbolizing misfortune.
143. Groan
This name symbolizes a voice of distress, making it an apt reflection of misfortune.
144. Trudge
This surname signifies the weariness of a long journey, highlighting misfortune.
145. Heartbreak
Heartbreak directly links to loss and sorrow, showcasing misfortune.
146. Pity
Pity reflects sympathy caused by unfortunate circumstances, connecting it to misfortune.
147. Riven
This name symbolizes being torn apart, representing deep-seated misfortune.
148. Famine
Famine signifies extreme shortage, embedding its meaning into the legacy of misfortune.
149. Insult
This surname reflects disrespect and pain caused to others, linking thoroughly to misfortune.
150. Mischief
This name connects to troublesome events, showcasing a legacy tied to misfortune.
Final Thoughts
Exploring last names that mean misfortune has revealed a wealth of stories that reflect human struggles and experiences. These surnames tell tales steeped in sadness, loss, and the burdens of life. By understanding these names, we gain insight into how ancestors perceived tragedy and adversity.
Each name carries with it a legacy of emotions and encounters that resonate with many of us today. It emphasizes the lessons learned through hardship and the strength found in overcoming misfortune.
We encourage you to delve deeper into the meanings of names by exploring topics such as names that mean misfortune or names that mean cursed. Uncovering these stories reminds us of the rich tapestry of human history.