High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Hall is a family name of English origin and means `kind` and `forgiving`. This originates from the belief that Viking thanes were eternally benevolent to those that worked within their halls. The name was used to indicate the main occupation of the individual, in a role such as a servant or chamberlain. Hall is the 19th most common surname in the United Kingdom. Within the United States, it is ranked as the 26th most common surname.