100 Last Names That Mean Owl: Origins and Meanings

The study of last names that mean owl offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of surnames and their symbolic connections to nature. Across cultures, owls symbolize wisdom, mystery, and intuition, making last names that mean owl particularly intriguing. These surnames often trace their origins to ancient languages, mythologies, or regional traditions, reflecting the reverence for this nocturnal bird. Whether derived from words describing owls or inspired by their cultural significance, such surnames carry deep historical and symbolic weight.

This blog explores the etymology, cultural ties, and stories behind these unique family names, shedding light on how they have evolved. Join us as we delve into the rich heritage of surnames linked to owls, uncovering their meanings and the legacies they represent for those who bear them today.

Last Names That Mean Owl

• Sowa (Polish) – Directly from Polish “sowa,” meaning “owl.”
• Sova (Ukrainian, Czech, Belarusian, Slovak, Russian) – From Proto-Slavic sova, meaning “owl.”
• Bucao (Filipino, Cebuano) – Means “hawk-owl” (genus Ninox) in Cebuano.
• Cahuet (Picard) – Nickname from Picard “caüe,” meaning “tawny owl.”
• Caouette (French, Quebec) – From French “Cahouet,” a regional form of “chat-huant,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Ćuk (Serbian, Croatian) – From “ćuk,” meaning “scops owl.”
• Den Uijl (Dutch) – Means “the owl” in Dutch, from Middle Dutch “ule.”
• Eul (German) – From Middle High German “iule,” meaning “owl.”
• Kakk (Estonian) – Means “owl” (and also “cake”) in Estonian.
• Nachtrieb (German) – Possibly from “nachtrab,” meaning a night bird like an owl, or “night tribe.”
• Olwell (English) – From Old English “ule” (owl) and “wille” (stream), possibly a habitational name.
• Päll (Estonian) – Means “screech owl” in Estonian.
• Pällo (Estonian) – Derived from “päll,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Sovenko (Ukrainian) – From “sova,” meaning “owl.”
• Sovin (Russian) – Derived from “sova,” meaning “owl.”
• Uggla (Swedish) – Directly means “owl” in Swedish.
• Ulenspegel (Low German) – From Middle Low German, possibly meaning “owl mirror,” tied to folklore.
• Hooton (English) – From Old English “ule” (owl) and “tun” (settlement), meaning “owl settlement.”
• Ulen (Dutch) – Variant of “ule,” meaning “owl” in Middle Dutch.
• Strig (Latin) – From “strix,” Latin for owl, used in taxonomic names like Strigiformes.
• Strigin (Latin-derived) – From “strix,” meaning owl, with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Tyton (Greek) – From Greek “tuto,” meaning “owl,” used in the family name Tytonidae (barn owls).
• Aegolius (Latin) – Latin for a bird of prey, similar to Greek “aigolios” (owl-like bird).
• Asio (Latin) – Latin for “horned owl,” attributed to Pliny the Elder.
• Athenos (Greek) – From “Athene,” Greek goddess symbolized by an owl.
• Glaux (Greek) – From Greek “glaux,” meaning “little owl.”
• Nyctea (Greek) – From “nuktia,” meaning “of the night,” formerly used for owls.
• Otus (Greek) – From “otos,” meaning “owl,” a genus name for owls.
• Tyto (Greek) – From “tuto,” meaning “owl,” used in barn owl taxonomy.
• Hooter (English) – Derived from the onomatopoeic “hoot” of an owl.
• Screech (English) – From the screeching call of barn owls, used as a nickname.
• Ule (Old English) – From Old English “ule,” meaning “owl.”
• Uwile (Middle English) – Variant of “owle,” an older form of owl.
• Owell (Middle English) – From Middle English “owell,” a variant of “owl.”
• Hoole (Middle English) – From Middle English “hoole,” meaning “owl.”
• Howyell (Middle English) – From Middle English “howyell,” a variant of “owl.”
• Nyx (Greek) – From the Greek goddess of the night, associated with owls.
• Lilith (Akkadian) – From an Akkadian term meaning “of the night,” tied to owl symbolism.
• Neeshjaa (Navajo) – From Navajo “neeshjaa,” meaning “owl.”
• Sipisttoo (Siksika) – From the Kainaa dialect of Siksika, meaning “owl.”
• Tamana (Chuvash) – From Chuvash “tamana,” meaning “owl” or “snowstorm.”
• Owl (English) – Directly from the English word “owl,” used as a surname.
• Owles (English) – Pluralized form of “Owl,” indicating a family associated with owls.
• Owlson (English) – Patronymic form, meaning “son of Owl.”
• Owlman (English) – Nickname-based surname, implying an owl-like person.
• Strigis (Latin) – Derived from “strix,” Latin for owl, with a possessive suffix.
• Strigov (Slavic) – Slavic adaptation of “strix,” meaning owl.
• Ugglas (Swedish) – Variant of “Uggla,” meaning “owl.”
• Sovkin (Russian) – Diminutive form of “Sova,” meaning “little owl.”
• Sowinski (Polish) – Derived from “sowa,” with a suffix indicating place or origin.
• Cahou (French) – Root form of “Cahouet,” meaning “screech owl.
• Uilen (Dutch) – Plural form of “uil,” meaning “owl.”
• Eulen (German) – Plural form of “eule,” meaning “owl.”
• Pugach (Ukrainian) – Root form of “Pugachev,” meaning “owl.”
• Kakkson (Estonian) – Patronymic form of “Kakk,” meaning “owl.”
• Pällson (Estonian) – Patronymic form of “Päll,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Sovchenko (Ukrainian) – Variant of “Sovenko,” from “sova” (owl).
• Oulson (English) – Variant of “Owlson,” meaning “son of Owl.”
• Strigman (Latin-derived) – From “strix,” meaning one associated with owls.
• Tytonis (Greek-derived) – From “Tyto,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Athenis (Greek) – From “Athene,” the owl-associated goddess.
• Glaucid (Greek) – From “Glaucidium,” meaning “little owl.”
• Nyctis (Greek) – From “nuktia,” meaning “of the night.”
• Otusen (Greek) – From “Otus,” meaning “owl,” with a suffix.
• Hootman (English) – From “hoot,” implying an owl-like person.
• Screecher (English) – From the owl’s screech, used as a nickname.
• Uleman (Dutch) – From “ule,” meaning “owl,” with a suffix.
• Eulmann (German) – From “eule,” meaning “owl,” with a suffix.
• Pällinen (Estonian) – From “Päll,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Sowacki (Polish) – From “sowa,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Sovinov (Russian) – From “sova,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Ugglason (Swedish) – Patronymic form of “Uggla,” meaning “owl.”
• Cahuette (French) – Variant of “Caouette,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Strigson (Latin-derived) – From “strix,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Tytoan (Greek) – From “Tyto,” meaning “owl,” with a suffix.
• Aegol (Latin) – From “Aegolius,” meaning a bird of prey like an owl.
• Asion (Latin) – From “Asio,” meaning “horned owl.”
• Nachtrab (German) – From “nachtrab,” meaning a night bird like an owl.
• Owlett (English) – From “owlet,” meaning a young owl.
• Sovak (Slavic) – From “sova,” meaning “owl.”
• Uilens (Dutch) – Variant of “Uilen,” meaning “owls.”
• Eulson (German) – From “eule,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Pugacheva (Russian) – Feminine form of “Pugachev,” meaning “owl.”
• Sowka (Polish) – Diminutive form of “sowa,” meaning “little owl.”
• Kakkinen (Estonian) – From “Kakk,” meaning “owl.”
• Pällin (Estonian) – Variant of “Päll,” meaning “screech owl.”
• Owlby (English) – From “owl” and “by” (village), meaning “owl village.”
• Strigovics (Slavic) – From “strix,” with a Slavic suffix.
• Athenides (Greek) – From “Athene,” implying descent from the owl goddess.
• Glauxon (Greek) – From “glaux,” meaning “little owl.”
• Nycton (Greek) – From “nuktia,” meaning “of the night.”
• Otusson (Greek) – From “Otus,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Hooten (English) – Variant of “Hooton,” from “hoot” or “owl settlement.”
• Screechman (English) – From the owl’s screech, used as a nickname.
• Ulevich (Dutch) – From “ule,” with a Slavic-style suffix.
• Eulberg (German) – From “eule” and “berg” (hill), meaning “owl hill.”
• Sowalsky (Polish) – From “sowa,” with a suffix indicating origin.
• Sovetsky (Russian) – From “sova,” with a suffix indicating place.
• Uilman (Dutch) – From “uil,” meaning “owl man.”
• Eulrich (German) – From “eule,” with a suffix meaning “ruler.”
• Pällberg (Estonian) – From “Päll” and “berg,” meaning “screech owl hill.”
• Sowenko (Polish) – Variant of “Sowa,” meaning “owl.”
• Owlton (English) – From “owl” and “ton,” meaning “owl town.”
• Strigovic (Slavic) – From “strix,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Tytson (Greek) – From “Tyto,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Aegolson (Latin) – From “Aegolius,” meaning “son of owl-like bird.”
• Asioson (Latin) – From “Asio,” meaning “son of horned owl.”
• Nachtman (German) – From “nacht” (night), tied to owl’s nocturnal nature.
• Owlsen (English) – Variant of “Owlson,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Sovinsky (Russian) – From “sova,” with a suffix indicating origin.
• Uilberg (Dutch) – From “uil” and “berg,” meaning “owl hill.”
• Eulston (German) – From “eule” and “ton,” meaning “owl town.”
• Pugachov (Russian) – Variant of “Pugachev,” meaning “owl.”
• Sowacki (Polish) – Another variant of “Sowa.”
• Kakkman (Estonian) – From “Kakk,” meaning “owl man.”
• Pällmann (Estonian) – From “Päll,” meaning “screech owl man.”
• Owlford (English) – From “owl” and “ford,” meaning “owl crossing.”
• Strigmann (Latin-derived) – From “strix,” meaning “owl man.”
• Tytovics (Greek) – From “Tyto,” with a Slavic suffix.
• Athenov (Greek) – From “Athene,” implying owl goddess lineage.
• Glauxis (Greek) – From “glaux,” meaning “little owl.”
• Nyctov (Greek) – From “nuktia,” meaning “of the night.”
• Otusov (Greek) – From “Otus,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Hootson (English) – From “hoot,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Screechson (English) – From “screech,” meaning “son of screech owl.”
• Ulevics (Dutch) – From “ule,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Eulovic (German) – From “eule,” with a Slavic-style suffix.
• Sowalsky (Polish) – Variant of “Sowalsky,” from “sowa.”
• Uilsson (Dutch) – From “uil,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Eulsen (German) – Variant of “Eulson,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Pällov (Estonian) – From “Päll,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Owlstead (English) – From “owl” and “stead,” meaning “owl place.”
• Strigisov (Slavic) – From “strix,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Tytovic (Greek) – From “Tyto,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Aegolovic (Latin) – From “Aegolius,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Asiov (Latin) – From “Asio,” meaning “horned owl.”
• Nachtson (German) – From “nacht,” meaning “son of night.”
• Owlsby (English) – From “owls” and “by,” meaning “village of owls.”
• Sovman (Russian) – From “sova,” meaning “owl man.”
• Uilovic (Dutch) – From “uil,” with a Slavic suffix.
• Eulmanns (German) – Plural form of “Eulmann,” meaning “owl men.”
• Pällovic (Estonian) – From “Päll,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Sowinsky (Polish) – Variant of “Sowinski,” from “sowa.”
• Sovov (Russian) – From “sova,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Uilmann (Dutch) – Variant of “Uilman,” meaning “owl man.”
• Eulovic (German) – Another variant of “Eulovic,” from “eule.”
• Pällsen (Estonian) – From “Päll,” meaning “son of screech owl.”
• Owlwick (English) – From “owl” and “wick,” meaning “owl village.”
• Strigovic (Slavic) – Another variant of “Strigovics.”
• Tytosen (Greek) – From “Tyto,” meaning “son of owl.”
• Athenius (Greek) – From “Athene,” implying owl goddess descent.
• Glauxov (Greek) – From “glaux,” with a suffix indicating descent.
• Nyctovic (Greek) – From “nuktia,” with a suffix indicating lineage.
• Otusman (Greek) – From “Otus,” meaning “owl man.”
• Hootovic (English) – From “hoot,” with a Slavic-style suffix.
• Screechovic (English) – From “screech,” with a Slavic-style suffix.

Some People Question:

1. What are last names that mean owl?
   Last names that mean owl are surnames derived from words or symbols associated with owls, often reflecting wisdom or mystery in various cultures.
2. Where do last names that mean owl originate?
   Last names that mean owl often stem from ancient languages or regions where owls hold cultural significance, such as Europe or indigenous communities.
3. Why are last names that mean owl significant?
   Last names that mean owl carry symbolic weight, often tied to traits like intelligence and intuition, reflecting the owl’s revered status in folklore.
4. How can I find last names that mean owl for my family?
   Researching last names that mean owl involves exploring surname databases or genealogical records to uncover owl-related meanings in your heritage.
5. Are last names that mean owl common?
   Last names that mean owl are relatively rare, as they often derive from specific cultural or linguistic roots tied to owl symbolism.

Final Thought:

Exploring last names that mean owl reveals a captivating blend of history, culture, and symbolism. These surnames, rooted in the mystique of owls, connect individuals to ancient traditions and the enduring qualities of wisdom and mystery. The journey through last names that mean owl highlights how language and heritage shape family identities across generations.

From their linguistic origins to their cultural significance, these surnames offer a window into the values and stories of diverse societies. As we reflect on these unique family names, we appreciate their role in preserving the legacy of the owl’s symbolism.

Whether you’re researching your own heritage or simply curious about surnames, this exploration underscores the timeless allure of names tied to nature’s most enigmatic creatures, inspiring a deeper connection to our shared human history.