A Zoo of Surnames: What the Animal Kingdom Can Teach You About Your Ancestors

Does your family tree roar, chirp, or swim? Surnames derived from the animal kingdom act as fossils of reputation, preserving exactly how your ancestors were perceived by their community. Whether denoting a physical resemblance, a personality quirk, or a trade, these names offer fascinating insights into the lives of those who came before us.

To help you navigate this jungle, the following list presents animal-inspired surnames, along with their origins and meanings, which may unlock an important door into your family’s past.

Bird

This name derives from the Old English (c. 450–1150 AD) bridda, meaning “bird.” It may indicate an ancestor who was a bird catcher or trapper, but it was often a descriptive nickname for someone with bird-like characteristics — perhaps someone slender, light-footed, cheerful, or possessing a singing voice. Byrd is a common spelling variant used in England and the U.S.

Here is a record of one known Bird family: the legendary NBA star Larry Bird’s family, as they were documented in the U.S. Census of 1940. His paternal grandparents Claude and Helen Bird appear with their 8 children, including Larry Bird’s father, then 13-year-old Claude Joseph “Joe” Bird.

The Bird family in the 1940 U.S. Census. Source: MyHeritage

Eagle

Originating from the Middle English egle (from Old French aigle or Latin aquila), this was often a nickname for someone considered noble or keen-eyed. It can also be a habitational name from Laigle in Orne, France, which ostensibly means “the eagle,” possibly via folk etymology.

Eagle might also be an Americanized English translation of various European surnames meaning “eagle,” such as the German/Jewish Adler, Polish/Jewish Orzeł, and Slovenian Orel. Furthermore, it is a shortened English translation of Native American personal names, such as the Lakota Sioux waŋbli (“eagle”), reflecting the eagle’s cultural importance. Examples of these translated surnames include Eagleman, Redeagle, and Whiteeagle.

Crow

Derived from the Old English crāwe and Middle English (c. 1150–1500 AD) crowe. Primarily used as a nickname for someone with very dark hair or a dark complexion.

The following record is of American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow’s paternal grandparents Charles and Naomi and father Wendell Wyatt Crow, then 8 years old, documented in the 1940 U.S. census while living in Missouri.

The Crow family in the 1940 U.S. Census. Source: MyHeritage

Bear

From the Old English bera and Middle English bere. Usually used as a nickname for a strong, powerful person.

Bull

Often a nickname for a strong, stubborn, or fierce individual. In some cases, it may be a toponymic name for someone who lived near a sign featuring the animal.

Lamb

One prominent meaning is from the Middle English personal name Lamb, a pet form of Lambert. Often meant as a nickname for a meek and inoffensive person, or a metonymic occupational name for a keeper of lambs.

Lion

Lion, Lyon, and Leon are all names of Norman origin, in some cases deriving from the personal name Léon, which itself comes from the Latin leo (lion) and is meant to symbolize characteristics of power, leadership, and courage.

Fox

Commonly a nickname for a clever, cunning, or deceitful person. It could also refer to someone with red hair, referring to the animal’s coloring.

A famous Fox family that can be found in the 1931 Canadian census is that of actor and activist Michael J. Fox’s paternal family. His grandparents William and Dahlie Fox are documented along with their children Edith and William Jr., then 3 years old, at their home in British Columbia.

The Fox family in the 1931 Canada Census. Source: MyHeritage

Whale

The surname may be derived from a nickname referring to the bearer’s size, weight, or perhaps a rolling gait. The word is derived from the Middle English words whal or wale, meaning whale; however, it could refer to any large fish or marine mammal, including the walrus, grampus, and porpoise. Other possible variants are Wale or Wall.

Crabb or Crabbe

From Middle English crabbe; either a nickname (crab-like gait or sour temperament) or, in the Low Countries, an occupational name referring to crab fisherman according to their catch.

Fish or Fisher

Often an occupational name, referring to a person who caught fish for a living. The addition of the suffix “-er” in Fisher simply denotes the agent, but both “Fish” and “Fisher” forms are common. In English, the surname “Fisher” may also be topographic, referring to someone who resided near a fish weir on a river. In North America, the “Fisher” surname has assimilated cognates from various other languages, including the German Fischer, the Slavic Fiser, the Dutch Visser, the Hungarian Halasz, the Italian Pescatore, and the Slovenian and Croatian forms Ribic or Ribar.

The surname also has several Americanized forms. One is an Americanized form resulting from a mistranslation of the French surname Poissant, meaning ‘powerful, strong, vigorous.’ This occurred because Poissant was mistakenly understood as poisson (‘fish’ in French) and then assimilated as Fish or Fisher into English. The same happened regarding the correct direct translation of the French surname Poisson, in this instance truly catching its meaning.

Following the above example, there are many other surnames pointing to an occupation directly connected to animals, for example:

Shepherd or Sheppard

From the Old English sceap-hirde. A classic occupational surname for someone who tended, cared for, and guarded sheep.

Currier and Tanner

Occupational names for those who processed animal hides. The tanner turned the raw hide into leather, and the currier dressed, colored, and finished the leather.

Hound

The name’s origin is frequently traced back to the Old English word hund, meaning “dog.” This suggests it may have begun as a nickname for an individual connected with dogs, possibly a hunter or someone who kept hounds.

Butcher

Finally, quite literally, is Butcher: a straightforward occupational name identifying those who were meat sellers or slaughterers. Its historical origins trace back to the Old French term bouchier, meaning to butcher or slaughter, which itself derived from the Latin butticarius (seller of meat).

Tracking down the tales (and tails) of your animal-kingdom surname

Are there any surnames related to the animal kingdom in your family? Start your family tree on MyHeritage today to learn more about the people and stories behind them. Simply enter your name and the names of your parents and grandparents, and MyHeritage’s matching technology will immediately spring into action to find matching family trees and historical records that can grow your tree automatically and bring you new discoveries. The more details you add, the more discoveries you can make!