Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Na

The surname Nash has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English word "næss," which means "headland" or "promontory." This suggests that the name was likely originally a topographical surname for someone who lived near a headland or a prominent geographical feature. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century, with variations appearing in different regions.

The surname Naylor has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English word "naegl," meaning "nail." This occupational surname originally referred to someone who made or sold nails, a trade that was particularly important in medieval times when nails were essential for construction and carpentry. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century, with various spellings appearing in historical documents, including "Nayler" and "Nailor." Over time, the surname became associated with the craft of blacksmithing and metalworking, reflecting the skills and trades of those who bore it.

The surname Nagel has its historical roots in Germany, where it is derived from the Middle High German word "nagel," meaning "nail." This occupational surname likely referred to someone who worked with nails, such as a blacksmith or a carpenter, indicating a trade associated with construction or craftsmanship. The earliest records of the surname date back to the medieval period, with its presence noted in various regions of Germany.

The surname Navarro has its historical roots in Spain, particularly in the region of Navarre, which is situated in the northern part of the country. The name is derived from the Basque word "nabar," meaning "the one from Navarre," and it first appeared in historical records during the Middle Ages.

The surname Nadeau has its historical roots in France, particularly in the region of Normandy. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Nadeau," which is a diminutive form of "Nicolas," meaning "victory of the people." The surname first appeared in written records during the medieval period, with its bearers often associated with agricultural or artisan occupations, reflecting the agrarian society of the time.

The surname Napier has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly associated with the Gaelic name "Napper," which is derived from the Old French "naperon," meaning "cloth" or "napkin." The name first appeared in the 13th century, with its earliest recorded instance linked to the family of Sir Robert Napier, who was granted lands in the Lothians. Over time, the Napier family became prominent in various social roles, including military and administrative positions, particularly during the medieval period.

The surname Nakamura (中村) has its historical roots in Japan, where it is derived from the combination of two kanji characters: "naka" (中), meaning "middle" or "center," and "mura" (村), meaning "village." This suggests that the name originally referred to individuals who lived in or were associated with a central village or a village located in the middle of a region. The surname can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868), a time when surnames became more formalized in Japan.

The surname Nathan has historical roots that can be traced back to Hebrew origins, deriving from the Hebrew name "Natan," which means "to give." This name appears in biblical texts, notably associated with Nathan the Prophet, a key figure in the Old Testament who served as an advisor to King David. The surname began to emerge in Jewish communities during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions such as Spain and France, where Jewish families adopted surnames for identification purposes, often based on their given names or occupations.

The surname Nance has its historical roots primarily in England and is believed to derive from the Old French word "nans," meaning "a place of water" or "a stream." This suggests that the name may have originally been a topographical surname for individuals living near a river or stream. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the medieval period, with variations appearing in different regions.

The surname Nagle has its historical roots in Ireland, particularly associated with the Gaelic name "Ó Néill," which means "descendant of Néill." The name Néill itself is derived from the Old Irish word "niall," meaning "champion" or "cloud." The Nagle family is believed to have originated in County Cork, where they were part of the Gaelic nobility. Over time, the surname evolved, with variations appearing in different regions, often influenced by local dialects and languages.

The surname "Napoleon" has its historical roots in the Italian name "Napoleone," which is derived from the Latin "Napoleonem," meaning "lion of the city." The name is most famously associated with Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor who rose to prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The surname first appeared in historical records in Italy, particularly in the region of Tuscany, where it was linked to noble families.

The surname Nason has its historical roots primarily in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Old French personal name "Nason," which itself may have originated from the Latin "Nasonius," a diminutive form of "Naso," meaning "nose." This suggests that the surname could have originally been a nickname for someone with a prominent nose or a distinctive facial feature.

The surname Nation has its historical roots in England, where it is believed to have originated in the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "nacion," which means "nation" or "people," and it was likely used to denote someone from a particular region or community.

The surname Naughton has its roots in Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic name "Naughta," which is believed to mean "noble" or "gifted." The name first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, particularly in the province of Connacht, where it was associated with the Gaelic nobility. Over time, the Naughtons became prominent landowners and were often linked to various occupations, including farming and military service.

The surname Nader has its roots in the Arabic language, where it is derived from the word "nadir," meaning "rare" or "precious." Historically, the surname is believed to have emerged in the Middle East, particularly among Arabic-speaking populations. It may have originally been used to denote individuals who were considered unique or exceptional in some way, possibly reflecting their skills, traits, or social status.

The surname Nava has its historical roots primarily in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in Spain, where it is believed to have originated from the Spanish word "nava," meaning "plain" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have been used to describe individuals who lived near or worked on such geographical features. The surname can be traced back to the medieval period, with its earliest appearances linked to the regions of Castile and León.

The surname Nakajima has its roots in Japan, where it is believed to have originated during the feudal period. The name is composed of two kanji characters: "naka" (中), meaning "middle" or "center," and "jima" (島), meaning "island." This suggests a geographical connection, possibly referring to families that lived on or near central islands or in the middle of a region.

The surname Namath has its roots in Eastern European Jewish communities, particularly among Ashkenazi Jews. The name is believed to derive from the Yiddish word "namet," which means "to name" or "to call." Historically, surnames among Jewish populations often emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as a means of identification, particularly in response to governmental mandates for fixed surnames.

The surname Nau has its historical roots primarily in Europe, particularly in regions such as France and Germany. The name is believed to derive from the Old French word "nau," meaning "ship," which suggests a connection to maritime occupations or trade.

The surname Nall has its historical roots primarily in England, where it is believed to have originated as a locational surname. It is derived from various places named Nall or similar variations, which are often associated with geographical features such as hills or knolls.