The surnames below are closely associated with the Melungeons (who historically lived in Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, and Southern Ohio) and related Indigenous and mixed ancestry groups of the same region. As I work through resources, I’ll be updating pages across the site, including these lists. Click on a name for more information, including connections, variations, resources, and regional records where the name is found.* If a surname in your family tree is listed here, it doesn’t necessarily mean you descend from Melungeons. In fact, many of the names on this page are found within the top 100 most common last names in the United States. However, if you have a handful of these surnames in your tree and roots in Appalachia, you might have Melungeon ancestors!

To get you started, here are some other clues to check for. We’re also working to create the Core Melungeon Family Tree and Back to Blackwater Map!