240+ Common and Unique Last Names That Start With R

Last names that start with R offer a wide range of options from diverse roots and cultures. In fact, almost every country, region, and culture has a last name starting with the letter R. We bring you an exceptional collection of last names that tells the story of the vibrant culture of Asian countries, like India and China, to those originating from the Spanish traditions and popular in English-speaking countries. So, venture out on this exciting journey of last names to reveal and unveil their history, meaning, and origin.

240+ Last Names That Start With R

From some popular names like Rodriguez and Richards to some unique last names specific to certain regions like Rathod and Renley, this list includes all.

Hispanic Last Names That Start With R

Hispanics are Spanish-speaking people who come from Spanish-speaking countries other than Spain (1). Given below are some of Hispanic last names starting with R of Spanish and Basque origin. Some names are patronymic too.

1. Rabagos

Prevalent among Latin Americans, the surname Rabagos is of Spanish origin. It is a variant of the locational surname Rabago, derived from the Spanish town named Rábago in Cantabria province.

2. Raia

Of Spanish and Galician origin, Raia comes from the name of multiple towns named Raya, in Galicia and Spain. It probably originates from the Spanish word ‘raya,’ meaning a ‘line,’ which depicts a boundary between two countries or states. The Brazilian actress, Cláudia Raia, is a notable bearer of this surname.

3. Raimundez

Originating from Spanish, Raimundez is a patronymic surname, meaning ‘son of Raimundo.’ Here, the name Raimundo is derived from the given name Raymond which means ‘counsel protection’ in German.

4. Rangel

A prevalent surname in German, Spanish, and Portuguese languages, Rangel is a variant of Rengel, of Germanic origin. It was originally used as a nickname for Germanic names with the element ‘rang,’ meaning ‘curved’ or ‘bending.’

5. Rascon

The uncommon surname Rascon is probably derived from Spanish Rascón, which was originally a nickname that means ‘sharp’ or ‘sour.’

6. Regalado

Commonly found among Spanish, Spanish Philippines, and American Hispanic people, the surname Regalado means ‘gifted,’ ‘pleasant,’ or ‘capable’ in Spanish. The 20th President of El Salvador, Tomás Regalado Romero, was among the prominent bearers of this surname.

7. Retegui

Originating from the Basque language, the Spanish last name Retegui can be considered a toponymic surname or a nickname. It is a spelling variation of the Spanish family name Erretegui and has several meanings, including ‘burnt place,’ or ‘too cooked.’ The retired field hockey player and coach of Argentina, Carlos Retegui, who was nicknamed Chapa, is a notable bearer of this surname.

8. Reynaldez

A patronymic surname, Reynaldez means ‘son of Reynold’ in Spanish. Hare, the given name eventually comes from Reynold which means ‘counsel protection’ in the Germanic language.

9. Ripalda

The surname Ripalda is of Basque origin. It is a Hispanicized or Castilianized form of Erripalda, a Spanish family name denoting someone hailing from Ripalda, an eponymous hamlet in the Navarrese municipality of Gorza. A Spanish Jesuit theologian, Juan Martínez de Ripalda, of the 17th century, was a significant figure.

10. Rojas

Popular in Italy, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries, the last name Rojas is a variant of ‘Rojo’ which means ‘red’ in Spanish.

11. Rolón

Probably derived from the Spanish word ‘rol,’ meaning ‘roll,’ ‘scroll,’ or ‘reel,’ the Hispanic surname is more common in Argentina and Paraguay.

12. Romanek

Derived from the given name Romaeus, the Basque surname was originally used to refer to someone from the Roman Empire.

Spanish Last Names That Start With R

Spanish surnames are not only popular in Spain but also in other Spanish-speaking countries. In fact, Spanish and Hispanics usually have two surnames, one from paternal lineage, followed by the maternal surname (2). Check out some common Spanish surnames starting with R.

13. Ramírez

A patronymic surname, Ramirez means ‘son of Ramiro’ in Spanish, where the given name comes from Ramirus/Ranimirus, which are the Latinized form of a Visigothic name, meaning ‘famous decree or assessment.’ Ariel Ramírez was a famous personality with this surname, who was considered ‘a chief exponent of Argentine folk music.’

14. Rana

Both a given name and a surname, Rana means ‘frog’ in Italian and Spanish, along with several other meanings and etymologies. It is most commonly written as Raña in Spanish, borne by Iván Raña, a Spanish triathlete who won three Olympics and several other international competitions.

15. Redondo

Originating from the Latin word ‘rotundus,’ the Spanish surname means ’round.’ It was originally a nickname for a plump person.

16. Rendón

Meaning ‘unexpectedly’ or ‘rashly,’ the Spanish surname is probably derived from a variant of Spanish ‘de rondón.’

17. Reséndez

Another Spanish patronymic surname, Reséndez means ‘son of Resendo,’ where the name means ‘counsel path’ in Germanic language. Resende, Rezende, Rezendez, Resendes, Resendez, Rezendes, and Resendiz are some spelling variants of this surname.

18. Rey

Meaning ‘king’ in Old French, Spanish, and Catalan languages, the surname Rey comes from the Latin ‘rex,’ which may refer to someone who acted like a king.

19. Reyna

Transferred from a given name, Reyna means ‘queen’ in Spanish, via the name Reina. The famous Argentine actress and director, Carola Reyna is a winner of the Argentinian Award for Radio and Television, the Martin Fierro Awards, five times.

20. Reynals

Exuding royalty, the surname Reynals is a rare Spanish surname, derived from the Spanish word Rey meaning ‘king.’

21. Rico

A Spanish and Portuguese surname, Rico was originally a nickname for ‘someone rich and wealthy.’ It is also used as a given name or a diminutive of given names like Federico, Ricardo, and Enrico.

22. Rincon

Meaning ‘corner’ in Spanish, Rincon is a rare Spanish surname. It is also the name of several places in America, Africa, and Europe.

23. Ríos

A common surname in Spanish, Portuguese, and Galician languages, Rios comes from the Spanish word ‘Rio’ meaning ‘river.’

24. Rivas

A locational surname, Rivas is a Spanish form of Riva, which means ‘bank’ or ‘sore’ in Italian, via the Latin ‘ripa.’ Originally, this surname was used to refer to someone living near a lake or river.

25. Robledo

The surname Robledo originated from the Spanish word ‘roble’ meaning ‘oak’ and means ‘oak wood.’ It originates from the Latin word ‘robur.’

26. Robles

Like the surname Robledo, Robles also originates from the Spanish word ‘roble’ meaning ‘oak’ via the Latin word ‘robur.’ The surname was originally used to denote a person living near an oak tree or forest.

27. Rodrigo

Derived from the given name Rodrigo, it is a Spanish and Portuguese surname. The name is a form of Roderick, which eventually comes from the Latinized Gothic form Rudericus, meaning ‘famous ruler.’

28. Rodriquez

A variant of Rodríguez, this surname is a less popular surname among Spanish-speaking countries, with a similar etymology as Rodríguez. An American astronomer, Tim A. Rodriquez, who is a minor planet discoverer, bears this surname.

29. Rojo

Stemming from the Spanish language, Rojo means ‘red’ in Spanish. It was originally used as a nickname for someone with red hair or complexion.

30. Roldán

Derived from the given name Roldán, this Spanish surname means ‘fame land.’ A Spanish sculptor of the Baroque Era, Luisa Ignacia Roldán, who is documented as one of the earliest woman sculptors, bore this surname.

31. Rosa

Derived from multiple etymologies, Rosa means ‘flower’ in Italian and Catalan, and ‘dew’ in Polish, Czech, and Slovak languages. It is a short yet beautiful surname in various countries. The Italian Baroque painter of the 17th century, Salvator Rosa, is a prominent name in the history of arts and culture in Italy.

32. Rosales

Meaning ‘rose bushes’ in Spanish, Rosales is a beautiful traditional last name. It was borne by José Rosales Herrador, who was the provisional president of El Salvador in 1885.

33. Rosario

A surname and given name, Rosario is of Spanish origin, stemming from the word ‘rosary’ referring to the set of prayers in the Catholic church. A Puerto Rican professional boxer Edwin Rosario, popularly known as ‘Chapo’ was a prominent figure in the world of boxing.

34. Rubiera

Habitational surname Rubiera is of Spanish origin, derived from the place called La Rubiera in Asturias (Spain).

35. Rubio

Originally a nickname, the surname Rubio was used to denote a red-haired person, via the Latin word ‘rubeus’ meaning ‘red.’

36. Ruiz

A patronymic surname, Ruiz means ‘son of Ruy’ in Spanish, where the name Ruy is a diminutive of the name Roderick, meaning ‘famous ruler.’

Check out more Spanish last names

Mexican Last Names That Start With R

Mexican last names are mostly composed of Spanish and Hispanic names due to the Spanish colonialism in Mexico from 1521 to 1821 (3). Check out the given list of Mexican last names that start with R.

37. Raij

Taken from the Hindi word ‘raij,’ meaning ‘rice,’ the Mexican surname is common among Christian and Jewish Caló families.

38. Ramone

Originating from Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan languages, the surname is derived from the personal name Ramón or Ramon, of Germanic origin. Eventually, it comes from the given name Raymond which means ‘counsel protection’ in German.

39. Ramus

Both a given name and surname, the Mexican surname of French origin is derived from the Latin word ‘ramus,’ meaning ‘branch.’ Peter Ramus of the 16th Century, who was the French humanist, logician, and educational reformer is a notable bearer of this surname.

40. Real

Real can be a habitational name from numerous places named Real, such as those in Galicia (Spain) and Portugal. Here, these places have been named Real, from ‘real’ which means ‘royal.’ Alternatively, Real can also be a variant of the place named Rial in southern Spain and Catalonia, where it means ‘encampment rural property’.

41. Rebolledo

Rebolledo is a habitational name from places named Rebolledo, which includes Rebolledo de la Torre in Burgos. Looking at its etymology, the name is derived from the word ‘rebollo,’ referring to ‘a species of oak.’

42. Regalado

The Spanish surname Regalado means ‘gifted’, ‘pleasant’, or ‘capable.’ It was borne by Tomás Regalado Romero as his paternal surname. He was a military ruler who also became the 20th President of El Salvador.

43. Reinoso

A Spanish surname, Reinos means ‘place of fields’ in Spanish. A Spanish painter Antonio García Reinoso of the 17th Century, bore this surname.

44. Remigio

Taken from the given name Remigio, this Spanish surname is a form of the personal name Remigius, which means ‘oarsman’ or ‘rower’ in Spanish. The former Mexican cyclist Porfirio Remigio is a notable bearer of this surname.

45. Ricario

A given name and a surname, the Spanish, Mexican, and Italian surname Ricaio is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Germanic element ‘rîcja’ which means ‘powerful,’ or ‘strong,’ combined with the Old High German ‘hari,’ meaning ‘army.’ Thus, the surname means ‘powerful army’ in Germanic language.

46. Riquelme

A Spanish surname, Riquelme comes from a personal name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the ancient Germanic elements rīc meaning ‘powerful’ combined with ‘helm’ meaning ‘helmet protection. Thus, the surname means meaning ‘powerful helmet.’

47. Roberto

Transferred from a given name Roberto, the Spanish surname is a form of the English name Robert of Germanic origin. The name means ‘bright fame’ via the Germanic name Hrodebert.

48. Robleda

Robleda is a Spanish surname that means ‘oak grove.’ It can be a topographic surname to indicate someone living near an oak groove.

49. Rocha

It is related to the Spanish word ‘roca,’ which means a ‘rock.’ It indicates someone who lived around a cliff or a person hailing from a place of this name in Spain.

50. Roman

The surname Roman is a derivative of the Latin last name ‘Romanus,’ which means ‘from Rome’ in Spanish. It was used to denote someone from Rome.

51. Romero

Originating from the Spanish word ‘romero,’ the surname Romero means ‘pilgrim to Rome,’ thus, making it a spiritual surname.

52. Ruacho

Taken from the Spanish Mexican roots, Ruacho is possibly derived from the Mexican word ‘rúa,’ meaning ‘street.’

53. Rueda

The Mexican Spanish surname Rueda is derived from the Spanish word ‘rueda,’ meaning ‘wheel.’ The notable bearer of this surname was Ignacio ‘Iñaki’ Rueda, a Spanish Formula One engineer.

54. Rufio

The Spanish Mexican surname Rufio is probably a variant of Rubio, a nickname and a surname that was used to denote a red-haired person, via the Latin word ‘rubeus’ meaning ‘red.’

Check out more Mexican last names

Italian Last Names That Start With R

Mainly derived from the Italian language, some of them are habitational surnames, while others are topographical, patronymic, or derived from nicknames.

55. Rabusin

Of unknown meaning, Rabusin is an Italian surname.

56. Ragno

Depicting the personality of a ‘spider,’ the Italian surname Ragno is a nickname meaning ‘spider’ in Italian.

57. Raimondi

Derived from the given name Raimondo, which is an Italian form of Raymond, the surname means ‘counsel protection.’ An Italian geographer and scientist, Antonio Raimondi, bore this surname.

58. Rapallino

A habitational surname, Rapallino comes from the town of Rapallo near Genoa, Italy.

59. Ratti

Derived from the Italian word ‘ratto’ meaning ‘rat,’ the surname Ratti was originally used to indicate someone of a sly nature. Giovanni Agostino Ratti who was the Italian painter of the late-Baroque period is a notable person with this surname.

60. Ravenna

Ravenna is an Italian surname derived from the city named Ravenna in northern Italy. The meaning of this surname is uncertain.

61. Ricci

Originating from the Italian language, Ricci is derived from the Italian ‘riccio’ meaning ‘curly.’ It was originally a nickname for someone with curly hair. An Italian composer of the 19th century, Federico Ricci, is a notable bearer of this surname.

62. Rinaldi

The Italian surname Rinaldi is derived from the given name Rinaldo, which is an Italian form of Reynold. The name eventually comes from the Germanic name Raginald, meaning ‘counsel authority.’

63. Riva

A nature surname, Riva is a small and sweet last name, meaning ‘bank’ or ‘shore’ in Italian via the Latin word ‘ripa.’ It was used to indicate someone living by a river or a lake.

64. Rizzo

An Italian variant of the surname Ricci, the surname Rizzo means ‘curly’ in Italian, to indicate someone with curly hair.

65. Romano

Taken from the given name Romano, the surname originally referred to someone from the city of Rome or who visited as a pilgrim in Rome. An Italian novelist, poet, and artist, Lalla Romano, is a significant name with this surname.

66. Rossetti

A patronymic surname, Rossetti is derived from the given name Rossetto, which comes from the female Italian name Rose. Tracing further, Rose stems from the Germanic name Hrodohaidis meaning ‘famous type.’

67. Rossi

Originally, Rossi was a nickname for a red-haired person, taken from the Italian ‘rosso’ via the Latin ‘russus’ meaning ‘red.’ It is the most common surname in Italy. The Italian composer of the Baroque period, Luigi Rossi, is one of the remarkable names in the history of Italian music.

68. Rota

The Italian surname Rota means ‘wheel’ in Italian, and is taken from the name of various places. An Italian fencer, Alfredo Rota, who won the Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics bears this surname.

69. Ruggiero

Derived from the given name Ruggiero, this surname comes from the name Roger. Eventually, it is of Germanic origin, derived from the name Hrodger meaning ‘famous spear.’ The American violinist of Italian origin, Ruggiero Ricci, was a notable person with this surname.

70. Russo

The surname Russo is an interesting variant of Rossi, which eventually comes from the Latin ‘russus’ meaning ‘red.’ Russo brothers, Anthony Russo and Joseph Russo, who are best known for directing Marvel movies, are the famous bearers of this surname.

71. Rustici

Derived from the Italian ‘rustico,’ the surname means ‘rustic’ or ‘rural.’ An Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor, Giovanni Francesco Rustici, is a famous name in the Italian history of arts bearing this surname.

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German Last Names That Start With R

German surnames are generally derived from the Old Germanic elements and have powerful meanings. Let us check some of the most renowned last names with R.

72. Rauch

Probably an occupational surname, Rauch was originally a nickname for a blacksmith or charcoal burner. It comes from the Middle High German ‘rouch,’ or ‘Rauch’ meaning ‘smoke.’ Alternatively, it is also a German name or a status name for someone related to a hearth tax.

73. Reichert

Stemming from the Old Germanic elements, the surname Reichert is made of ‘ric’ meaning ‘power,’ and ‘hert’ meaning ‘strong.’

74. Reich

Originally, a nickname for a wealthy or powerful person, Reich is a short and cute surname. It comes from the Old High German ‘rihhi’ which means ‘rich or powerful.’ The German esports pioneer, Tim Reichert, who co-founded the esports team SK Gaming bears this surname.

75. Reimann

Reimann is derived from a pet form of a Germanic personal name that starts with ‘ragin’ meaning ‘advice’, or ‘counsel’ or ‘ric’ meaning ‘powerful’ or ‘rich.’ Leopold Rudolf Reimann, who was the German flying ace in WWI, bore this surname.

76. Reinhardt

A derivative of the personal name Raginhard, Reinhardt is made of the Germanic elements ‘ragin,’ meaning ‘counsel,’ with ‘‘hard,’ ‘hardy,’ ‘brave,’ or ‘strong. A German actor, Arthur Reinhardt, who worked in around sixty films from 1927 to 1955, bore this surname.

77. Renner

With uncertain meaning, Renner is a German last name of Germanic origin. The German typeface designer, Paul Renner who founded the Master School for Germany’s Printers and designed the Futura typeface, is a famous bearer of this surname.

78. Reuter

Stemming from the Middle High German ‘riute’ meaning ‘cleared land’ or ‘riutœre’ meaning ‘highwayman’ or ‘thief,’ Reuter is a sophisticated Germanic surname. Paul Julius Reuter, who was the pioneer of telegraphy and news reporting, bore this surname.

79. Richter

The surname Richter comes from the Middle High German ‘rihtære’ meaning ‘judge’ in German.

80. Riedel

Riedel comes from a given name with the Middle Low German name element ‘riden’ which means ‘to ride.’ However, it may also be derived from the Middle High German ‘riet’ meaning ‘damp or mossy area.’

81. Rieger

Rieger or de Reiger is a German surname that may come from the German name Roger, meaning ‘famous spear’ via the Germanic name Hrodger.

82. Ritter

A witty surname, Ritter comes from the Middle High German ‘riter’ meaning ‘rider’ or ‘knight.’ It is a cognate of Ryder.

83. Rohde

With unknown meaning, Rohde might be a habitational surname of Germanic origin.

84. Rose

The surname Rose may mean ‘rose’ from Middle English, Old French, and Middle High German elements ‘rose,’ all originating from the Latin word ‘rosa.’ It may also indicate a person with a rosy complexion or someone living in an area filled with roses.

85. Roth

Derived from the Middle High German ‘rot’ meaning ‘red,’ it was originally a nickname denoting a red-haired person.

86. Rudolph

A variant of Rudolf, this famous surname comes from a given name Rudolf, made of the Old High German ‘hrōd’ meaning ‘renown’ and ‘wolf.’

87. Ruff

Originating from the German and Norse, Ruff is taken from the given name ‘Rolf’ meaning ‘fame wolf’ in Old German.

Check out more German last names

French Last Names That Start With R

Providing a mix of last names of Norman origin, Italian flair, or French identity, check out some French last names starting with R.

88. Raymond

Of Germanic origin, Raymond is a famous name and a surname. It comes from the Norman given name Raimund, which stems from the Germanic elements ‘ragin’ meaning ‘advice or counsel’ and ‘mund’ meaning ‘protection.’

89. Renard

Stemming from the given name Renard, which is a French form of the German name Reynard. The name comes from Raginhard meaning ‘brave counsel or advice’ in German. The French author, Gary Renard, who wrote the 2003 The Disappearance of the Universe, is a notable bearer of this surname.

90. Renaud

Derived from the given name Renaud, which is a French form of Reynold, meaning ‘counsel authority’ via the Germanic name Raginald.

91. Renault

Borne by the French industrialist Louis Renault who was one of the founders of Renault, the surname Renault is a popular surname. It is derived from the given name Renaud, meaning ‘counsel authority.’

92. Remy

Remy comes from the given name Rémy, a unisex name meaning ‘oarsman or rower’ via the Latin name Remigius. A French diplomat, novelist, and essayist, Pierre-Jean Rémy, bore this surname.

93. Ribeiro

The surname Ribeiro means ‘little river’ or ‘stream’ in Portuguese. It comes from the Latin ‘riparius’ meaning ‘riverbank.’

94. Richard

Derived from the given name Richard, the French surname means ‘brave ruler,’ derived from the Old Germanic elements.

95. Richilde

Derived from the rare feminine given name Richilde, a variant of Richild, which means ‘powerful battle’ in German. This is a rare French or Flemish surname.

96. Riviere

Of French origin, Riviere might come from the French word. The French artist and designer, Henri Rivière, was one of the famous bearers of this surname.

97. Robin

Also a personal name Robin, this French surname is a Medieval English diminutive of Robert, meaning ‘bright fame’ via the Germanic name Hrodebert.

98. Robert

Robert is both a famous given name and a surname of Germanic origin. It comes from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning ‘bright fame.’

99. Roche

A rocking surname, Roche is a French cognate of Roach, which means ‘rock’ via the Old French ‘roche.’

100. Roger

Both a given name and a surname, Roger is also of Germanic origin taken from the Germanic name Hrodger meaning ‘famous spear.’

101. Rolland

Of Germanic origin, the surname Rolland comes from the given name Roland, meaning ‘fame land’ via the Old German elements.

102. Rousseau

A diminutive of Roux, this surname means ‘red’ in French. A famous bearer of this surname was the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau who influenced the French Revolution through his ideas.

103. Roussel

A French form of the surname Russell, it was a nickname for a person with red hair, meaning ‘little red one.’

104. Roux

Derived from the Old French word ‘ros,’ the surname Roux means ‘red,’ referring to a red-haired person as their nickname.

105. Roy

A variant of Rey, the French surname Roy ultimately comes from the Latin ‘rex’ meaning ‘king’ in Old French, Spanish, and Catalan languages.

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Japanese Last Names That Start With R

Japanese surnames are unique and generally have several meanings. Look through the Japanese last names that start with R from our collection.

106. Raijuu

Made of Japanese Kanji characters, ‘rai’ meaning ‘come or arrive,’ with ‘ju’ meaning ‘reside or dwell,’ this Japanese surname has a witty tone.

107. Rakuyama

The surname Rakuyama has several meanings depending on the Kanji characters used, including ‘comfort temple.’

108. Renbutsu

Of unknown meaning, Renbutsu is a Japanese surname. It is borne by a Japanese actress, who won the Grand Prix award at the 2005 Super Heroine Audition Miss Phoenix.

109. Ri

A Japanese form of the Chinese traditional surname Li, the Japanese surname Ri means ‘plum’ or ‘prune.’

110. Rikimaru

Of many meanings, this Japanese surname is made of Kanji characters ‘rii,’ ‘riki,’ ‘ryoku,’ or ‘chikara,’ meaning ‘bear up,’ ‘exert,’ ‘power,’ or ‘strong,’ with ‘gan,’ ‘maru,’ or ‘meru’ meaning ‘curl up,’ ‘explain away,’ or ‘full.’

111. Rikitake

The Japanese surname Rikitake means ‘power of military’ or ‘warrior force,’ among several other meanings in Japanese.

112. Rin

A nature-inspired surname, Rin comes from the Japanese ‘rin’ meaning ‘forest.’

113. Rinbayashi

This surname is made of the Japanese elements ‘rin’ and ‘hayashi,’ both of which means ‘forest.’

114. Roka

A short and cute Japanese surname, Roka means ‘white crest of the wave’ in Japanese.

115. Rokuno

Derived from the Japanese elements ‘Roku’ meaning ‘six’ and ‘no’ meaning ‘field, wilderness,’ this is also a numerical surname in Japanese.

116. Rokuro

A rare Japanese surname, Rokuro means ‘potter’s wheel’ or ‘pulley’ in Japanese.

117. Rokuda

Borne by the Japanese manga artist, Noboru Rokuda, the Japanese surname means ‘‘six rice fields.’

118. Rokuta

A numerical surname, Rokuta means ‘six rice fields’ in Japanese. A Japanese politician, Rokuta Shimono, is a notable bearer of this surname.

119. Rokutambo

A variant of Rokuta, Rokutambo is a rare Japanese surname, meaning ‘six rice paddy fields.’ It was used to refer to a rice paddy field with an area of 6 tans (around 5950 m²) in Japanese measurement.

120. Rokutampo

Variant reading of Japanese Kanji Rokutambo or Rokuta, the surname also means ‘six rice paddy fields’ in Japanese.

121. Rokuyama

Another Japanese surname with the element ‘roku,’ the surname Rokuyama means ‘6 mountains’ in Japanese.

122. Roppongi

A funny-sounding surname, it comes from the Japanese elements ‘ro’ meaning ‘seven’, and ‘pon’ meaning ‘origin’, along with ‘gi’ meaning ‘wood, tree.’

123. Royama

Meaning either ‘wax’ or ‘mountain,’ this Japanese surname is a symbol of strength and resistance.

124. Ryuu

Meaning ‘hat’ or ‘bamboo hat,’ this Japanese surname is sweet sounding.

125. Ryūjin

Meaning ‘dragon God,’ this Japanese surname has a powerful significance in Japanese culture. It is derived from the name of the Japanese deity of the sea Ryūjin, who is equivalent to Ōwatatsumi.

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Russian Last Names That Start With R

Many Russian surnames are popular in both Ukraine and Russia. Look at the list below to learn about Russian last names starting with R.

126. Radchenko

Derived from the given name Rodion, Radchenko is a common Ukrainian and Russian language. Here, the name Rodion is a form of Rhodion, which comes from Herodion, a Greek name that means ‘song of the hero.’

127. Ramazanov

A patronymic surname, Ramazanov means ‘son of Ramazan’ in Russian. Here, the masculine name Ramazan is a form of Ramadan, a given name derived from the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The name has the meaning ‘parchedness,’ or ‘scorchedness.’ Its feminine form is Ramazanova.

128. Raskolnikov

Meaning ‘schismatic’ or ‘divided,’ the Russian surname is derived from the religious term raskolnik. It also has a feminine form Raskolnikova.

129. Rasputin

Taken from the Russian ‘rasputye’ meaning ‘crossroads.’ A famous bearer of this surname was the Russian mystic Grigoriy Rasputin. The feminine form of Rasputin is Rasputina.

130. Repin

A vegetable-derived surname, the surname Repin comes from ‘repa,’ meaning ‘turnip’ in Russian.

131. Reznik

A Russian and Yiddish surname, Reznik has its origin in Yiddish, where it means ‘butcher.’ Thus, it can be taken as an occupational surname.

132. Reznov

A patronymic surname, Reznov was originally used as a given name or a surname to the son of a butcher.

133. Rodionova

Rodionova is the feminine form of the surname Rodionov, which means ‘son of Rodion.’ It stems from the Biblical Greek name Herodion from Herodes, which means ‘song of the hero.’

134. Romanenko

Ukrainian and Russian surname, Romanenko is derived from the given name Roman. It is derived from the Late Latin name Romanus meaning ‘Roman.’

135. Romanov

Means ‘son of Roman,’ the patronymic surname was the surname of the last dynasty of Russian tsars. Romanova is the feminine counterpart of this masculine surname.

136. Rudenko

Of Ukrainian origin, the Russian surname Rudenko is derived from the Ukrainian word ‘rudyy,’ meaning ‘red.’

137. Russkikh

Means ‘Russian’ in Russia, the surname Russkikh was probably used as a nickname for a person who lived in a village where the majority of residents were non-Russian.

138. Rybakov

Meaning ‘son of the fisher’ from the Russian element ‘rybak,’ which means ‘fisherman.’ Thus, Rybakov can be considered both a patronymic and an occupational surname.

139. Rybkin

Representing the aquatic life, the surname Rybkin means ‘little fish’ in Russian. A Russian politician, Ivan Rybkin, who became the 6th Chairman of Russia’s state Duma, bears this surname.

140. Rybolovlev

A Russian occupational surname, Rybolovlev means ‘Fisher,’ indicating fishermen. A businesswoman, equestrian, and socialite, Ekaterina Rybolovleva, was the notable bearer of this surname.

141. Ryzhkov

A Russian surname, written as ‘Рыжков,’ Ryzhkov is derived from the Russian element ‘ryzhko,’ meaning ‘red.’

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Indian Last Names That Start With R

Mostly derived from Sanskrit, there are several Indian last names that begin with the letter R. These Indian surnames speak about the individual’s familial origin history, caste, place of origin, as well as their community.

142. Rahman

Of Arabic origin, Rahman is both a given name and a surname. It means ‘gracious’ or ‘merciful,’ and is derived from one of the names of God in Islam. The Oscar award winner, Indian music composer, singer, and songwriter, A.R. Rahman is one of the most famous bearers of this surname.

143. Rai

The surname Rai is a traditional last name of Sanskrit origin. It comes from the name Rajan, meaning ‘king’ in Hindi. The famous Bollywood actress of Indian Cinema Aishwarya Rai bears this surname.

144. Raj

Of Sanskrit origin, the Indian surname ‘Raj’ means ‘king.’ The famous Indian actor, and film director, Prakash Raj, is a famous person with this surname.

145. Rajput

Derived from the name of a social community in South Asia, Rajput is a common surname in India. It means ‘son of a king’ via the Sanskrit word ‘Rajaputra.’

146. Ram

A given name and a surname, Ram is a variant of Rama in Sanskrit. The Indian television producer and actor, Raghu Ram, is a famous personality with this surname.

147. Rana

Also meaning ‘king’ or ‘kingly’ in Sanskrit, Rana is also used as a given name. It was the surname of the Indian king Bhim Singh Rana who reigned over Gohad during the 18th century.

148. Rani

Meaning ‘queen’ in Sanskrit, it is a common surname and a given name in India. A famous bearer of this surname was Devika Rani, an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films during the 1930s and 1940s.

149. Rao

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘raja,’ this surname means ‘king.’ The 9th Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao, was the most notable bearer of this surname.

150. Rastogi

Possibly derived from Rohtas, the name of a district in Bihar, India, the surname Rastogi is also derived from the name of a Hindu deity.

151. Rathod

A variant of the Rajput clan Rathore, the surname Rathod has an unknown meaning. Famous person with this surname is Satyavathi Rathod, an Indian politician and the Minister for Tribal Welfare, Women and Child Welfare of Telangana from 2019.

152. Raut

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘rajaputra,’ Raut means ‘prince’ or ‘son of a king’ in Sanskrit.

153. Rawat

A surname of the Hindu Rajput community in India, Rawat is one of the popular surnames in India. The 8th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat, is a notable bearer of this surname.

154. Reddy

A common South Indian surname, Reddy was borne by Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, who was the sixth President of India.

155. Roshan

Meaning ‘light’ and evoking hope, Roshan is both a given name and surname in India.

156. Roy

Originating from Bengali, the surname Roy means ‘king’ in Bengali, via the surname ‘Rai.’

157. Rushdie

A rare Kashmiri surname of India, Rushide is derived from the Arabic ‘rašada’ meaning ‘to go the right way,’ ‘to follow the right course’ or ‘to be well guided.’

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Irish Last Names That Start With R

Irish surnames are mostly of Gaelic origin or are derived from the Old Nordic language. Keep scrolling through the list below to learn about some Irish last names that start with R.

158. Rattigan

A variant of the Irish surname Ó Reachtagáin, Rattigan means ‘descendant of Reachtagán.’ A notable bearer of this surname was William Rattigan, an Irish Gaelic footballer.

159. Redmond

Derived from the given name Redmond, it is an Irish form of Raymond, meaning ‘counsel protection’ via the Germanic name Raginmund.

160. Regan

A variant of Reagen, the surname is derived from the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, which means ‘descendant of Riagán.’

161. Reid

From the given name Reid, the Irish surname comes from the Old English word ‘read’ meaning ‘red.’ It was used to denote someone with red hair or ruddy complexion.

162. Renehan

Meaning ‘sharp- or star-pointed,’ Renehan is a common Irish Gaelic surname.

163. Reynolds

Both a given name and surname, Reynolds comes from the given name Reynold of Germanic origin. It means ‘counsel authority’ via the Germanic name Raginald.

164. Rice

Derived from the Irish and Welsh given name Rhys, the surname means ‘ardor’ or ‘enthusiasm’ via the Old Welsh Ris.

165. Riordan

A variant of the Irish surname Ó Ríoghbhárdáin, meaning ‘descendant of Rígbarddán,’ it comes from the given name Rígbarddán which means ‘little poet of the king.’

166. Robinson

A patronymic surname, Robinson means ‘son of Robin,’ where the name Robin comes from Robert, meaning ‘bright fame’ in German.

167. Roche

Of French origin, the Irish and French surname is a cognate of the Middle English surname Roach, which means ‘rock.’

168. Rogers

Taken from the given name Roger, the surname is of Germanic origin from the name Hrodger meaning ‘famous spear.’

169. Rooney

Reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Ruanaidh ‘descendant of Ruanadh,’ a byname meaning ‘champion

170. Rourke

The Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Ruairc meaning ‘descendant of Ruarc,’ Rourke comes from the Old Gaelic Ruadhrac, a personal name from Norse Hrothrekr, meaning ‘famous ruler’ in German.

171. Russell

Russell was actually a nickname for a person with red hair, meaning ‘little red one’ in Irish.

172. Ryan

Ryan is a common Irish surname as well as a given name, derived from Ó Riain, meaning ‘little king.’

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Chinese Last Names That Start With R

From dynasty names, posthumous titles, ranks of nobility, state names, official positions, style names, places of residence, occupations, or events, Chinese surnames are usually derived from any of these origins. Also, Chinese surnames are followed by a given name.

173. Ran

Ran is a common Chinese family name with an unknown meaning. The most significant bearer of this surname was Ran Geng, who was the third most prominent disciple of Confucius.

174. Rebong

A form of the Chinese surname Ong in Filipino, Rebong means ‘fishing rod’ or ‘hook.’

175. Ren

From Chinese 任 (rén), the surname Ren means ‘burden,’ ‘responsibility,’ or ‘duty.’ Ren Zhigu, who was the Chinese politician of Wu Zetian’s Zhou Dynasty, bore this surname.

176. Ri

A variant of the common Chinese surname Li or Lee, Ri means ‘plum tree.’

177. Rong

Derived from the Chinese element ‘róng,’ the surname refers to a Zhou dynasty title used by officials who managed rituals, music, and ceremonies. Alternatively, it may be derived from the name of the ancient fief of Rong, which existed during the Zhou dynasty.

178. Ru

Mandarin pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname, Ru is also written as Ju and Yu. A Chinese writer, Ru Zhijuan who was considered one of the most important writers of her generation, bore this surname.

179. Ruan

Taken from the Chinese element ruǎn,’ this surname refers to a type of musical instrument that looks like a lute.

180. Rui

Also written as Jui, Rui is the Mandarin pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname ‘Rui,’ which can also be used as a Chinese forename. The name means ‘luck,’ ‘felicitous omen,’ or ‘auspicious.’ It was borne by Rui Chenggang, a former Chinese news anchor and journalist.

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Puerto Rican Last Names That Start With R

Puerto Rican is a Spanish-speaking country, and thus, has several Spanish last names. The below collection provides information about a few last names of Puerto Ricans that start with R.

181. Ramos

Derived from Spanish and Portuguese origin, Rmaos means ‘bouquets’ or ‘branches.’ A significant political figure in the history of Venezuela, José Luis Ramos, bore this surname.

182. Reyes

A Spanish variant of Rey, the surname is translated as ‘king,’ ‘royals,’ or ‘royalty’ in English. A notable bearer of this surname was Rafael Reyes, who was the 5th President of Colombia during 1904-1909.

183. Ribera

Probably a variant of Rivera, this Spanish surname of Puerto Rico comes from the Spanish word ‘ribera,’ which translates into ‘the basin of a river.’ A famous rapper Joshua Ribera, popularly known by the stage name ‘Depzman,’ who is considered ‘a leading artist on the UK grime scene’ bears this surname.

184. Rivera

A variant of the surname Rivas, the Spanish surname Riera comes from ‘ribera’ meaning ‘bank’ or ‘shore’, from the Latin word ‘riparius.’

185. Rodríguez

A last name of Spanish origin, Rodríguez is a patronymic one, meaning ‘son of Rodrigo.’ It is one of the most common surnames in Spain, derived from the given name Rodrigo of Germanic origin. It eventually traces back to the name Roderick, which means ‘famous ruler’ in Old German. The famous Puerto Rican rapper and actor, Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, popularly known as ‘Daddy Yankee,’ is a famous bearer of this surname.

186. Roig

Originating from the Catalan language, the surname Roig means ‘red’ in English. It was the surname of the former F1 racing driver, Àlex Soler-Roig, from Spain.

187. Rosado

The Spanish surname Rosado comes from the Spanish word ‘rosa,’ which means ‘rose.’ It is a common surname in several Spanish-speaking countries, including Puerto Rico. PFC Carmen García Rosado who was among the first 200 Puerto Rican women into the WAC during World War II is among the famous bearers of this surname.

Korean Last Names That Start With R

Often having one syllable, Korean surnames are mostly derived from patrilineal roots and are subdivided into different bon-gwans, which denote the name’s origin and differentiate between the different clans within the same Korean surname (4). Given below are some of the Korean surnames that start with R.

188. Ra

A North Korean form of the South Korean surname Na, Ra is an uncommon family name, derived from the Chinese surname Luo. It means ‘gauze,’ ‘net,’ or ‘catch’ in Korean.

189. Ran

The flower-inspired surname Ran is a North Korean form of the South Korean surname Nan, which means ‘orchid.’

190. Rhee

North Korean form of the popular Korean family name Lee, Rhee eventually comes from the Korean and Chinese surname Li, meaning ‘plum tree.’ It was also used as a nickname for Chinese emperors in ancient times.

191. Rhim

Derived from the common Korean family name Im or Lim, the surname Rhim or Rim is a Romanized version. It is a nature-derived surname, meaning forest, and is borne by the South Korean comics writer, Rhim Ju-yeon, who created the manhwa President Dad.

192. Ri

The surname Ri is an alternate romanization of the family name Lee, commonly used in North Korea.

193. Rkhi

The Korean family name Rkhi is a Russified form of the Korean family name Rhee. It means that the surname Rkhi is commonly used by ethnic Koreans living in the former parts of the Soviet Union.

194. Ro

Ro is a Korean family name with uncertain meaning. It is a surname for both South Koreans and North Koreans. Ro Jai-bong who became the 20th prime minister of South Korea was a notable bearer of this surname.

195. Roh

Written as an alternate transcription of the Korean family name No, Roh is a Sino-Korean surname. It is a form of the traditional Chinese surname Lu, meaning ‘rice bowl’ or ‘black.’

196. Ryang

A form of the Korean surname Yang, Ryang is commonly used by North Koreans. It eventually stems from the Korean family name Liang, referring to the ancient state of Liang of the 8th to 7th centuries BC.

197. Ryu

Also known as Ryoo, Yu, or Yoo, the surname Ryu is one of the common Korean family clan names. The surname is inspired by nature and has the meaning ‘willow tree.’ One of the most famous bearers of this surname is South Korean actor, Ryu Seung-ryong, who is considered one of the most versatile supporting actors in Korea.

198. Ryuk

Another North Korean surname, Ryuk is a form of the Sino-Korean surname Yuk, meaning ‘dry land.’ One of the most notable mentions of this name is the anime character named Ryuk in the famous Japanese manga series DeathNote.

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English Last Names That Start With R

Mainly derived from the Old English or Anglo-Saxon roots, and of Germanic origin, English last names are those found in England and Britain. Take a look at the collection of some of these surnames below.

199. Ralls

A rare English surname, Ralls is an anglicized form of the name Raulf, meaning ‘wolf council.’

200. Reed

Reed is a common English surname derived from the Old English ‘read’ meaning ‘red,’ used to denote a red-haired person.

201. Reinlund

A Norwegian and English surname, Reinlund is a rare family name that appeared during the early 1900s. The meaning of this surname is uncertain.

202. Renley

A rare Jewish and English surname, Renley may possibly come from the Old English ‘rinc’ meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘rim’ meaning ‘edge or circular edge.’ It may also mean ‘wren field’ derived from ‘wraenna’ meaning ‘wren’, and ‘leah’ meaning ‘field.’

203. Rhodes

A topographic surname, Rhodes is derived from the Old English word ‘rod’ meaning ‘cleared land.’

204. Richards

Derived from the given name Richard, the surname is of German origin and means ‘powerful’ or ‘brave.’

205. Richardson

A patronymic name, it refers to ‘Son of Richard’. Miranda Richardson, an English actress is a famous bearer of this surname.

206. Ridge

Indicating someone living near a ridge, the surname Ridge is derived from the Old English word ‘hrycg.’

207. Rider

A variant of the surname Ryder, the surname is derived from the Old English ‘ridere’ meaning ‘rider.’ It is the occupational surname of a mounted warrior.

208. Ridley

Ridley is a habitation surname for those hailing from places named Ridley in England. The names of these places are derived from the Old English ‘geryd’ meaning ‘channel’ or ‘hreod’ meaning ‘reed’ combined with ‘leah’ meaning ‘woodland.’

209. Rigby

Originally, the surname Rigby was derived from the town name in Lancashire. Here, the name of the town was derived from the Old Norse ‘hryggr’ meaning ‘ridge’ and ‘býr’ meaning ‘settlement.’

210. Riley

Derived from the town named Ryley in Lancashire, Riley stems from the Old English elements ‘ryge’ meaning ‘rye’ and ‘leah’ meaning ‘woodland’ or ‘clearing.’

211. Rickard

A variant of the English surname and given name Richard, Rickard means ‘brave ruler’ in Old German. A famous bearer of this surname was Bob Rickard who founded the British magazine Fortean Times.

212. Rimmer

Weaving words into a poem, this English surname is an occupational name that means ‘poet.’ It comes from the Middle English word ‘rime’ meaning ‘rhyme.’

213. Ripley

A habitational surname, Ripley is derived from the name of various English towns. It comes from the Old English word ‘rippel’ meaning ‘grove’ or ‘thicket’ and leah meaning ‘woodland.’ A notable mention of this surname is the character named Ellen Ripley from the movie Alien and its sequels

214. Risberg

Derived from the combination of the two Old Norse elements ‘hris’ meaning ‘brushwood’ and ‘berg’ meaning ‘mountain,’ Risberg is a toponymic surname. It referred to a person with an ancestral lineage from a farmstead or a place with a brushwood hill.

215. Rivers

Just as its spelling suggests, Rivers comes from Middle English, and Old French ‘riviere,’ meaning ‘river.’ It was used to refer to a person living near a river.

216. Robbins

Derived from the given name Robin, the surname Robbin is a bubbly English surname. Here, the name Robin is a Medieval English diminutive of Robert, an English name of German origin.

217. Roberts

Means ‘son of Robert,’ the English surname Roberts is of Germanic origin, meaning ‘bright fame’ in German.

218. Robson

A patronymic surname, Robson means ‘son of Rob’ in English. Here, the name Rob is a short form of Robert.

219. Roderick

Roderick is an English surname that comes from the Latinized Gothic form Rudericus, meaning ‘famous ruler.’

220. Rodney

A habitational surname, Rodney is derived from a place named Hroda, which means ‘fame’ in Old English. A famous person with this surname is Caesar Rodney, who was an American Founding Father, lawyer, and politician from Delaware.

221. Rollins

Derived as a diminutive of the name Roland, the surname Rollins means ‘fame land’ in Old German.

222. Roscoe

An English surname of Nordic origin, Roscoe is the name of the town in Lancashire. It comes from the Old Norse meaning ‘roebuck forest.’

223. Rosenberg

Translating to ‘rose mountain’ in Swedish, Rosenberg is an ornamental name. Alternatively, it could also be a toponymic surname.

224. Ross

Ross is a habitational last name and originated from Scotland and England. It is derived from a Gaelic word which means ‘Headland.’

225. Rounds

A patronymic surname, Rounds is derived from the Middle English word ‘rond’ meaning ’round’ or ‘plump.’

226. Rowe

Meaning ‘row’ in Middle English, the surname Rowe was originally used to denote someone residing by a row of hedges or houses.

227. Rowland

Another surname, derived from the name Roland, Rowland also means ‘fame land’ in Old German.

228. Royce

A variant of the given name Rose, the surname Royce was originally taken from a medieval given name Royse. The most prominent figure with this surname includes Henry Royce who was the cofounder of the Rolls-Royce automobile company.

229. Ruggles

Another variant of the English name Roger of Germanic origin, meaning ‘famous spear,’ Ruggles is an uncommon English surname.

230. Ruskin

Derived from the feminine given name Rose, the surname Ruskin is both a given name and surname in English. It was borne by an English rugby union player, Val Rapava-Ruskin.

231. Rye

A topographical surname, Rye comes from the Middle English phrases ‘atter ye’ meaning ‘at the island’ or ‘atter eye’ meaning ‘at the river. It was also used to indicate someone who lives near a rye farm, from the Old English word ‘ryge.’

232. Ryley

A variant of the surname Riley, Ryley means ‘ Rye clearing’ in Old English.

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American Last Names That Start With R

In addition to Indigenous surnames, Americans have several surnames and last names from varied origins. Explore through this list below for some American last names that begin with R.

233. Rachlyn

A Jewish surname, Rachlyn comes from the Polish surname ‘Rachman.’ It is a rare surname, found among Brazilians, especially those who survived Holocaust.

234. Radcliffe

It is derived from various place names in England that mean ‘red cliff’ in Old English. Daniel Radcliffe, known for his role as Harry in the Harry Potter movie series, is a notable bearer of the name.

235. Ramsey

Ramsey means ‘garlic island’ and is derived from the Old English elements ‘hramsa,’ meaning ‘garlic’ and ‘eg,’ meaning ‘island.’ A famous personality with this surname is Aaron Ramsey.

236. Remington

The unique surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational surname for people dwelling in a place called Remington near Gisburn in West Yorkshire.

237. Restrepo

Of unknown origin and meaning, Restrepo is an American surname, popular in Columbia.

238. Rey

The English and American surname means ‘female roe deer’ from Old English ræge, probably denoting someone of a nervous temperament.

239. Rodney

The surname is derived from the geographical locality, Rodney Stoke, a parish in Somerset, but can be traced back earlier to Rodney, a small moss island in the parish of Wedmore in the same county.

240. Rose

As a Scottish surname, Rose has been recorded in Scotland from the early 14th century onwards. It could be a topographical name for someone living near a bed of roses, or it could also be a nickname for someone with a rosy complexion.

241. Roydon

The English surname is originally derived from a place name meaning ‘rye hill.’ The name has two elements in Old English, namely ‘ryge,’ meaning ‘rye’ and ‘dun,’ meaning ‘hill.’

242. Ruiz

The Spanish family name Ruiz is derived from the individual Germanic name ‘Hrodric,’ which is made out of the components ‘Hrōd,’ meaning ‘fame,’ and ‘rīc,’ meaning ‘power(ful).’ Ruiz is also a patronymic form of the individual name Ruy, short for Rodrigo, signifying ‘son of Roderick.’

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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.