Most Common Last Names in America

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Introduction

Wondering how common your last name is? Or what it says about your background? Common surnames offer clues to cultural history, migration, and family identity.

In this post, you will learn about the most common last names in America. You will also find their meanings. Plus, you will see how to trace your last name's origins using recent census data and genealogy tools.

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Top 20 Common Last Names in the U.S.

Here are the 20 most popular surnames in the United States, based on the United States Census Bureau:

• Smith  – English, based on occupations (metal worker)
• Johnson – English/Scandinavian, patronymic surnames (son of John)
• Williams – English/Welsh, patronymic (son of William)
• Brown – English/Scottish, descriptive (hair or skin color)
• Jones – Welsh, patronymic (son of John)
• Garcia – Spanish, possibly Basque (young or bear)
• Miller – German/English, occupational (grain mill worker)
• Davis – Welsh, patronymic (son of David)
• Rodriguez – Spanish language origin, patronymic (son of Rodrigo)
• Martinez – Spanish, patronymic (son of Martín)
• Hernandez – Spanish, patronymic (son of Hernando)
• Lopez – Spanish, patronymic (son of Lope)
• Gonzalez – Spanish, patronymic (son of Gonzalo)
• Wilson – English/Scottish, patronymic (son of William)
• Anderson – Scandinavian, patronymic (son of Anders)
• Thomas – Aramaic, biblical origin (apostle Thomas)
• Taylor – English, occupational (tailor)
• Moore – English/Irish, descriptive or locative
• Jackson – English, patronymic (son of Jack)
• Martin – Latin, linked to Mars (god of war)

These common last names in the United States show cultural diversity. They also show how surnames have changed from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Many of these plants started in Europe. Early settlers brought them to the Americas. Others became more common because of immigration and changes in population.

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Cultural & Ethnic Insights Behind Common Surnames

Different cultures and histories shape surname use:

• Hispanic surnames like Garcia, Martinez, and Rodriguez come from Spanish language naming traditions. They often use patronymic patterns like “son of Rodrigo” or “son of Fernando.”
• After emancipation, many people chose African American surnames like Jackson, Davis, and Williams. They reflect biblical names or the names of former slave owners.
• Asian surnames like Nguyen (Vietnamese), Kim (Korean), and Wang (Chinese) reflect dynastic roots. Many follow the single surname tradition and come from powerful families or clans.
• European-American surnames such as Smith and Miller derive from occupations.
• Pacific Islanders and mixed-heritage individuals may carry combinations of native and colonial surnames.

These surname origins tell stories of movement, adaptation, and identity across generations. Understanding them helps connect modern individuals with historical narratives and traditions.

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Surname Evolution Over Time

Thanks to the decennial census and immigration records, we can see how common last names have changed:

• Hispanic surnames have risen quickly due to immigration from Latin America.
• Asian surnames like Nguyen and Zhang are now more visible in the U.S. than ever before.
• Hyphenated names and the use of mother maiden names have grown, especially in modern family structures.
• Cultural shifts mean more Americans now choose to keep or combine mother surnames and use creative name combinations.

In earlier periods, like the 1800s, most Americans passed down a single surname through the male line. But since the 20th century, naming has become more flexible. Families now honor both parents or adopt names from cultural heritage.

Surnames like Smith and Jones are popular. They are simple and people have used them since the Middle Ages. Even today, surnames continue to evolve due to globalization, gender equality movements, and personal identity expression. This trend has also increased interest in surname etymology and genealogy.

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How to Trace the Origin of Your Last Name

If you're curious about your surname origins, here are some easy steps:

• Genealogy Websites: Try FamilySearch or My Heritage to build your family tree and find surname matches.
• Name Meaning Tools: Use BehindTheName or Wikipedia the free encyclopedia to explore the history and meaning of your name.
• DNA Testing Kits: AncestryDNA and 23andMe reveal migration history and family matches.
• The U.S. Census Bureau and Local Archives: Use historical data to locate ancestors. Marriage, immigration, and census records can be invaluable.

Tip: Toggle the table of contents in most genealogy platforms to find surname-focused resources fast.

You can also look at military records, land ownership papers, and old newspaper articles. These can show where your family name has appeared. In some cases, surname spellings changed over time because of clerical errors or efforts to fit in.

Local libraries and county archives often hold valuable resources such as birth, marriage, and land records. Interviewing older relatives can also uncover forgotten stories or versions of the surname. Even small clues—like a middle name or nickname—can point to a surname’s original form.

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Most Common Last Names by Country

Common last names vary around the world. Here's a snapshot:

• Canada: Smith, Tremblay, Brown
• Mexico: Hernández, García, López
• China: Wang, Li, Zhang – each a Chinese surname with deep lineage.
• Japan: Satō, Suzuki, Takahashi – based on geography and occupations.
• Brazil: Silva, Santos, Oliveira – common and rooted in nature.
• Nigeria: Ibrahim, Musa, Abubakar – often tied to religion and clan.
• Vietnam: Nguyen – held by nearly 40% of the population.

These common surnames reflect cultural history and migration patterns that shape naming systems.

Each region has its own naming customs. For example, in China, over 85% of the population shares the top 100 surnames. In Brazil, colonization led to widespread use of surnames like Silva. In the U.K., occupational names like Baker and Taylor became family names.

In India, names like Singh and Devi are common in many communities and states. They can mean different things based on region and religion. In Russia and Eastern Europe, people used patronymic systems. These systems linked children to their fathers by using their last names.

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What Does Our Internal Survey Say?

On June 27, 2025, Genomelink conducted a survey asking users about their experiences with surname research and genealogy tools. With over 1,100 responses, here’s what we found:

• AncestryDNA was the top tool for exploring surname origins and building family trees.
• Users preferred 23andMe for its health features and also rated it well for learning surname ethnicity.
• FamilySearch and My Heritage helped users find connections across continents and decades.

Many said they found relatives they didn’t know they had, just by tracing a popular surname.

Top DNA and Genealogy Platforms for Surname Research:

• AncestryDNA: 68.2% recommended for genealogy
• 23andMe: 53.5% useful for ethnicity and surnames
• My Heritage: 31.3%, especially strong for regional surname records

The combination of surname data and DNA matching helped many users connect with long-lost branches of their family. Respondents liked platforms that made it easy to see surname distribution maps. They also enjoyed building family trees and finding historical documents related to their surnames.

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Bonus: Surname Laws and Variations Across the World

In many countries, naming laws shape how surnames are passed down:

• Spain and Latin America: Most people use both their father's and mother's surnames. For example, a child named Juan García López would take “García” from the father and “López” from the mother.
• Iceland: Uses patronymic surnames. A child of Karl would be Karlsson (son of Karl) or Karlsdóttir (daughter of Karl).
• Japan: Married couples must share a single surname by law, usually the husband’s.
• Germany: Limits surname changes and restricts what names can be created.
• China: Efforts are underway to allow more children to take their mother’s surname, a shift from historical traditions.

These rules influence how surnames evolve and spread within a population.

Some countries also regulate new surname creation or restrict naming to approved lists. In Denmark, for example, parents must choose from a list of legal surnames, unless they get special permission. These laws preserve cultural identity and manage surname diversity.

Other countries allow citizens to completely create new surnames or blend existing ones, reflecting increasing flexibility in personal identity. In Finland, people often combine parts of both parents' last names to create a new family name. This practice shows their belief in equality.

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Fun Facts & Trivia About Surnames

• Smith is the most popular surname in the U.S., followed closely by Johnson and Williams.
• Over 100 million people worldwide share the Chinese surname Wang.
• The Brazilian surname Silva appears in over 30 million names.
• Iceland still uses patronymic surnames like Karlsson (son of Karl).
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 160,000 surnames had at least 100 bearers in 2010.
• In Spanish-speaking countries, many use both mother surnames and father surnames (e.g., García López).
• Surnames like Baker and Carpenter originate from occupations and still exist today.
• The top surnames in America shift slightly with each census, but many stay consistent.
• Some last names, like Patel and Singh, are common in India and in communities in the UK and U.S.
• In the 20th century, many immigrants changed their names to fit in, leading to new surname spellings.
• The surname “Washington” became common among freed African Americans to honor George Washington.
• “Lee” is both a common Chinese surname and a popular family name of English origin.
• The surname “Murphy” is one of the most frequent Irish surnames in the United States.
• Korean surnames like Kim, Lee, and Park come from ancient family clans and make up over 50% of the population.
• Some cultures celebrate surname days, similar to birthdays, based on traditional calendars.
• In Italy, surnames often originate from towns or professions, with examples like Ferrari (“blacksmith”) or Lombardi (“from Lombardy”).

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Why Some Surnames Disappear

Not all surnames survive. Here’s why:

• Lack of male descendants in patrilineal systems
• Name changes through marriage
• Immigrant families altering names to assimilate
• Legal name changes to avoid discrimination or simplify spelling
• Wars, dislocation, or family lines ending

Some evolve—for example, Müller becoming Miller. Others vanish as families branch out and traditions shift.

Surname extinction is a real phenomenon. In Japan, for instance, some surnames have died out entirely because of population changes and family decline. In other places, the rise of blended families and choice-based naming keeps surname trends constantly evolving.

In recent years, digital tools and public archives have made it easier to keep rare surnames. They do this by documenting and sharing family trees online. This has sparked renewed interest in ancestral names and their meanings.

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Final Thoughts

Common last names are more than just labels—they’re links to cultural history, migration stories, and family identity. Your name may reflect a dynasty, an occupation, or a region, and you can discover a story behind it.

If you're just beginning your search, remember: a surname is only the start. Pair it with dates, locations, and family stories to build a deeper picture.

Curious about your surname origins? Start exploring today.