Nathan
A Hebrew surname and given name meaning “given” or “gift,” especially associated with Jewish families.
The #4,284 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 37,198 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Nathan comes from the Hebrew name Natan, meaning “he gave” or “given.” In the Biblical tradition it is understood as a theophoric-style name expressing a gift or bestowal, often glossed simply as “given (of God)” in older surname dictionaries. As a surname, it developed from the personal name rather than from a place or occupation.
History
Historical surname dictionaries note that Nathan was especially common among Jews and in earlier English usage was often tied to the given name Nathan or Nathaniel. The name also appears in English records outside specifically Jewish contexts, reflecting the wider use of biblical forenames after the Reformation. In the United States it remains a recognizable but not especially common surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Older surname references sometimes treat Nathan and Nathaniel together because both were biblical names in active use, even though their Hebrew forms and meanings are distinct.
From the historical record
“NASMYTH J nail + smiff, smith] NATHAN (Heb.) Given (of God) [Heb. Ndthdn] NAUGHXm 1 ^- WlacNaughtan, Mao KaUGhTonJ '^-S'^ten. NAY (Fr.) Bel. to Nay (Normandy). (Celt.) for MacNay, MacNee, q.v. NAYLAR ■) (Eng.)' Nail-Maker [M.E. nayler{e; NAYLER \ M.E. nayl, O.E. n<egel,'a. nail + the”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)