81+ Surnames Meaning Evil (With Meanings)

Most surnames come from trades, places, or family lines. A few carry much darker roots. Last names that mean evil often started as nicknames, warnings, or blunt descriptions of temperament that stuck across generations.

These surnames appear in German, French, Russian, Italian, and Arabic records. Some trace back to words for “devil,” “wicked,” or “malice.” Others evolved from terms that once meant something milder but darkened over centuries. Understanding their origins reveals how language, folklore, and social reputation shaped family identity in unexpected ways.

What are some last names that mean evil?

Surnames meaning evil include Böse (German, “evil”), Teufel (German, “devil”), Zlobin (Russian, “malice”), Malatesta (Italian, “bad head”), Badman (English), Malebranche (French, “bad claw”), Lihodeyev (Russian, “evildoer”), and Mauvais (French, “wicked”). Most originated as medieval nicknames or descriptive labels that became hereditary over time.

Last Names That Mean Evil

Surnames connected to evil carry a weight that most family names simply do not. They tend to be short, sharp, and rooted in old European languages where words for wickedness were used more casually as everyday descriptors. Many began as ironic nicknames or blunt character assessments in small medieval communities, then hardened into permanent family markers over centuries.

Surname	Origin	Meaning	Notable Bearers	Popularity
Böse	German	Evil, wicked, angry	Heinrich Böse, German merchant families	Dark
Teufel	German	Devil	Various German noble and common families	Rare
Badman	English	Bad man	Historical English parish records	Rare
Malatesta	Italian	Bad head, stubborn	Sigismondo Malatesta, 15th-century Italian lord	Classic
Malebranche	French	Bad claw, evil branch	Nicolas Malebranche, French philosopher	Rare
Villain	French	Wicked person, peasant	Historical French and Norman records	Unique
Zlobin	Russian	Malice, spite, evil	Various Russian families	Rare
Lihodeyev	Russian	Evildoer, villain	Historical Russian records	Dark
Schlecht	German	Bad, wicked	Various German families	Rare
Diablo	Spanish	Devil	Rare Spanish colonial records	Dark
Mauvais	French	Bad, wicked	Historical French records	Rare
Devill	English	Devil (nickname origin)	Historical English parish records	Rare
Sharr	Arabic	Evil, harm	Various Arabic families	Unique
Nefario	Italian	Wicked, abominable	Rare Italian records	Dark
Malvado	Spanish	Wicked, evil	Spanish colonial records	Rare
Übel	German	Evil, bad	Various German families	Rare
Malenfant	French	Bad child	Historical French families	Unique
Malherbe	French	Bad herb	François de Malherbe, French poet	Classic
Zlobinski	Polish	Malice, spite	Polish and Russian families	Rare
Bane	English/Norse	Destroyer, slayer	Scottish clan records	Powerful

Naming Expert’s Note: Malatesta is one of the most fascinating surnames on this list. The name literally translates to “bad head,” which sounds almost comical today. But the Malatesta family of Rimini was one of the most powerful and feared dynasties in Renaissance Italy. Sigismondo Malatesta was so notorious that Pope Pius II essentially canonized him in reverse, declaring him damned while still alive. The surname proves that “evil” associations in names often come from reputation, not just etymology.

Also Read: Surnames and First Names That Mean Death Across Every Culture

The Cultural Roots of Evil Surnames

The concept of evil appears in nearly every language, and surnames reflecting that concept tend to cluster in cultures with strong medieval naming traditions. German, French, and Russian naming customs were particularly willing to attach blunt moral judgments to family lines. These names survived not because families embraced the meaning, but because surnames became fixed before people could choose otherwise.

German Surnames That Mean Evil

German naming traditions were remarkably direct. If someone had a foul temper or a reputation for cruelty, the community labeled them accordingly, and that label became hereditary.

Surname	Meaning	Gender
Böse	Evil, wicked	All
Teufel	Devil	All
Schlecht	Bad, wicked	All
Übel	Evil, bad	All
Grimm	Fierce, wrathful	All

French Surnames That Mean Evil

French surnames with dark meanings often use the prefix “mal,” which means “bad” or “evil.” This prefix attached itself to dozens of descriptive terms during the medieval period, creating a whole family of surnames with negative connotations.

Surname	Meaning	Gender
Malebranche	Bad claw	All
Mauvais	Bad, wicked	All
Malenfant	Bad child	All
Malherbe	Bad herb	All
Villain	Wicked person	All

Russian Surnames That Mean Evil

Russian surnames often derive from character traits or behavioral descriptions. Words related to malice and spite became fixed family names, particularly in rural communities where reputation was everything.

Surname	Meaning	Gender
Zlobin	Malice, spite	All
Lihodeyev	Evildoer	All
Zlobinski	Malice	All
Zloba	Spite, anger	All

Italian Surnames That Mean Evil

Italian surnames connected to evil often carry a theatrical quality. The Malatesta dynasty is the most famous example, but other Italian names with dark roots exist in regional records, particularly from southern Italy and Sicily.

Surname	Meaning	Gender
Malatesta	Bad head	All
Nefario	Wicked, abominable	All
Malvado	Wicked	All

English Surnames That Mean Evil

English surnames with evil connections tend to be the most understated. They often sound ordinary until you trace the etymology back to Old English or Old Norse roots where the original meanings were far more severe. For more on dark English naming traditions, explore first names that mean shadow and their Old English roots.

Surname	Meaning	Gender
Badman	Bad man	All
Devill	Devil	All
Bane	Destroyer, slayer	All
Fell	Cruel, fierce	All

Also Read: Last Names That Mean Night and Their Mysterious Origins

Surnames That Mean Devil or Demon

Surnames directly referencing the devil or demonic figures are rarer than you might expect. Most cultures considered it bad luck to name a family line after the devil outright. When these names do appear, they usually started as nicknames for someone with a fierce temper or a mischievous personality, not as literal declarations of demonic connection.

• Teufel (German)
• Diablo (Spanish)
• Devill (English)
• Diavolo (Italian)
• Dracul (Romanian, later associated with “devil”)
• Demon (rare English variant)
• Diable (French)
• Teufelmann (German, “devil man”)
• Diab (Arabic, though this more commonly means “wolf”)
• Satanas (rare Spanish/Portuguese)

Surnames That Mean Wicked or Cruel

“Wicked” and “cruel” carry slightly different energy than “evil.” These surnames suggest moral judgment from a community rather than supernatural darkness. They feel more human, more grounded in everyday behavior and social reputation.

• Mauvais (French)
• Malvado (Spanish)
• Nefario (Italian)
• Schlecht (German)
• Cruel (French)
• Böse (German)
• Fell (English/Norse)
• Savage (French/English, “wild, fierce”)
• Übel (German)
• Malizioso (Italian, “malicious”)

Surnames That Mean Malice or Spite

Malice and spite are quieter forms of evil. Surnames in this category tend to come from Slavic languages, where words for grudges, bitterness, and ill will became surprisingly common family identifiers. These names feel less dramatic than “devil” surnames but carry a deeper sense of inherited darkness. If you are interested in related dark naming traditions, names that mean darkness across cultures offer a broader look.

• Zlobin (Russian)
• Zlobinski (Polish)
• Zloba (Russian)
• Lihodeyev (Russian)
• Sharr (Arabic)
• Zlost (Slavic)
• Nepryakhin (Russian, “unfriendly”)
• Kozlov (Russian, sometimes associated with trickery)

Also Read: First Names and Last Names That Mean Demon From Every Tradition

How to Choose the Right Evil Surname for Fiction or Research

Sound matters more than meaning when a surname needs to land with an audience. A name like Malatesta rolls off the tongue with dramatic flair, while Böse hits hard with just two syllables. Match the rhythm of the surname to the character or context you are building.

Cultural origin should guide your choice too. A Russian villain named Zlobin feels authentic in a Slavic setting but out of place in a story set in medieval France.

• Say the full name out loud to test rhythm and flow
• Check whether the surname sounds harsh or subtle depending on your needs
• Research the specific regional origin before assigning it to a character
• Consider how the name looks in print on a page or screen
• Pair dark surnames with softer first names for contrast
• Verify the meaning has not shifted significantly in modern usage

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most well-known last name that means evil?
A: Malatesta is probably the most recognized surname with an evil connection. The Italian name means “bad head” and belonged to one of the most infamous noble families of the Renaissance. The Malatesta dynasty ruled Rimini and produced several rulers known for cruelty and political ruthlessness.

Q: Do surnames meaning evil still exist today?
A: Yes. Surnames like Böse, Teufel, and Zlobin are still carried by real families across Europe. Most modern bearers have no connection to the original meaning. The names became hereditary centuries ago and lost their sting over time.

Q: What are some rare last names that mean evil?
A: Lihodeyev (Russian, “evildoer”), Nefario (Italian, “wicked”), and Übel (German, “evil”) are among the rarest surnames with direct evil meanings. These names appear in very small numbers in historical records and are almost never encountered outside genealogical research.

Q: Why do some families have surnames with negative meanings?
A: Medieval communities assigned surnames based on observable traits, nicknames, and reputations. A family known for a bad temper might receive a name meaning “wicked” or “angry.” Once surnames became legally fixed in the 14th and 15th centuries, families could not easily change them, even if the meaning was unflattering.

Q: Are there Japanese last names that mean evil?
A: Japanese surnames rarely carry direct “evil” meanings. Japanese naming traditions favor nature, geography, and positive virtues. However, some Japanese names that mean evil exist as given names or literary creations rather than hereditary family names.

Q: Can a surname meaning evil affect how people perceive a family?
A: In modern life, most people never think about surname etymology. A family named Teufel or Böse is unlikely to face judgment based on their name alone. The original meanings have faded from everyday awareness in nearly all cultures.

Final Thoughts

Last names that mean evil are a small but fascinating corner of surname history. They remind us that family names were not always chosen with care. Many were imposed by neighbors, clerks, and tax collectors who had no interest in flattering the families they labeled. From the German Böse to the Russian Zlobin, these surnames survived centuries of social change and still appear in modern records. If you want to explore more dark naming traditions, first names that mean evil across cultures offer a compelling companion to this topic.