Second Most Common Last Name in England: Discover the History and Significance

Are you curious about the second most common last name in England? While Smith reigns supreme, there's another name that appears consistently in the ranks, a name with a rich history and diverse origins. This name isn't just a label; it's a window into the cultural tapestry of England and a reflection of the country's fascinating past. Let's delve into the intriguing world of England's second most common surname and uncover the stories behind its widespread prevalence.
1. **Jones:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "John," meaning "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is gracious." The name is of Hebrew origin and was brought to England by the Normans. It is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
2. **Brown:** A descriptive surname derived from the color brown, which was commonly used to describe people with dark hair or complexion. It could also have been given to people who lived in a brown house or worked with brown materials.
3. **Davies:** A Welsh patronymic surname, meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew name "David," which means "beloved." The name is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
4. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "William," meaning "resolute protector" or "helmet of protection." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
5. **Evans:** A Welsh patronymic surname, meaning "son of Evan," derived from the Hebrew name "John," meaning "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is gracious." The name is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
6. **Taylor:** An occupational surname derived from the word "tailor," which means "one who cuts and sews cloth." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
7. **Thomas:** A given name surname, derived from the Aramaic name "Thomas," meaning "twin" or "twin of God." The name is of Hebrew origin and was brought to England by the Romans.
8. **Williams:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "William," meaning "resolute protector" or "helmet of protection." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
9. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Robin," which is a diminutive form of "Robert," meaning "bright fame" or "splendid glory." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
10. **White:** A descriptive surname derived from the color white, which was commonly used to describe people with fair hair or complexion. It could also have been given to people who lived in a white house or worked with white materials.
11. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Thomas," meaning "twin" or "twin of God." The name is of Hebrew origin and was brought to England by the Romans.
12. **Walker:** An occupational surname derived from the word "walker," which means "one who walks." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
13. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Lewis," which is a form of "Louis," meaning "famous warrior" or "renowned fighter." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
14. **Martin:** A given name surname, derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike" or "belonging to Mars." The name is common in England, France, and Italy.
15. **Harris:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Harry," which is a diminutive form of "Henry," meaning "ruler of the house" or "home ruler." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
16. **Clark:** An occupational surname derived from the word "clerk," which means "a person employed to keep records, accounts, or other documents." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
17. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Jack," which is a diminutive form of "John," meaning "God is gracious" or "Yahweh is gracious." The name is of Hebrew origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
18. **Hughes:** A Welsh patronymic surname, meaning "son of Hugh," derived from the Germanic name "Hugo," meaning "mind, intellect, or spirit." The name is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
19. **Moore:** A descriptive surname derived from the word "moor," which means "a tract of open, uncultivated land, especially a boggy or marshy area." The name is common in England, Ireland, and Scotland.
20. **Allen:** A given name surname, derived from the Old English name "Æthel," meaning "noble" or "nobleman." The name is common in England and Ireland.
21. **Green:** A descriptive surname derived from the color green, which was commonly used to describe people who lived in a green area or worked with green materials.
22. **Young:** A descriptive surname derived from the word "young," which means "not old." It could have been given to people who were young at the time of the surname's origin or to people who had a youthful appearance.
23. **Powell:** A Welsh patronymic surname, meaning "son of Howell," derived from the Welsh name "Howel," meaning "whole" or "healthy." The name is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
24. **King:** An occupational surname derived from the word "king," which means "the male sovereign of a state." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
25. **Ward:** An occupational surname derived from the word "ward," which means "a guardian or protector." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
26. **Turner:** An occupational surname derived from the word "turner," which means "one who turns or shapes wood or other materials." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
27. **Hill:** A descriptive surname derived from the word "hill," which means "a raised area of land." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
28. **Morgan:** A Welsh patronymic surname, meaning "son of Mor," derived from the Celtic name "Mor," meaning "sea" or "great." The name is particularly common in Wales, where it is often associated with the Welsh language and culture.
29. **Scott:** A surname with various possible origins, including a descriptive surname derived from the word "scot," meaning "a tax or payment." It could also be a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Scott," which is of Scottish origin.
30. **Cooper:** An occupational surname derived from the word "cooper," which means "one who makes and repairs barrels and casks." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
31. **Carter:** An occupational surname derived from the word "carter," which means "one who drives a cart." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
32. **Lee:** A descriptive surname derived from the word "lee," which means "a sheltered place." It could also have been given to people who lived in a place called "Lee" or to people who worked near a sheltered area.
33. **Collins:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Colin," which is a diminutive form of "Nicholas," meaning "victory of the people." The name is of Greek origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
34. **Harper:** An occupational surname derived from the word "harper," which means "one who plays the harp." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
35. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Michael," meaning "who is like God?" The name is of Hebrew origin and was brought to England by the Romans.
36. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Roger," meaning "famous spearman." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
37. **Reed:** A descriptive surname derived from the word "reed," which means "a tall, slender plant that grows in water or marshy ground." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
38. **Murphy:** An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Murchadh," meaning "sea warrior" or "sea defender."
39. **Williams:** A patronymic surname derived from the given name "William," meaning "resolute protector" or "helmet of protection." The name is of Germanic origin and was brought to England by the Normans.
40. **Wright:** An occupational surname derived from the word "wright," which means "a craftsman or skilled worker." The name is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland.