Most Common Last Name in the US: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the most common last names in the United States? Uncovering the history and origins of these names can provide fascinating insights into American demographics, ancestry, and cultural influences. This guide delves into the top surnames found across the country, exploring their unique meanings and historical significance.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a blacksmith. It has Germanic, English, and Scottish origins.
2. **Johnson:** Derived from the common given name John, meaning "God is gracious." It's of English origin.
3. **Williams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William," which is derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (will) and "helm" (helmet).
4. **Brown:** An occupational surname referring to someone with brown hair or skin, or someone who worked with leather. It's of English origin.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John," also of English origin.
6. **Miller:** An occupational surname indicating someone who worked as a miller, grinding grain. It's of English origin.
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of David," a name meaning "beloved." It's of Welsh origin.
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "little wolf" or "bear" and often associated with Spanish heritage.
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo," a name derived from the Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "ric" (powerful).
10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William," also of English origin.
11. **Moore:** An occupational surname referring to someone who lived near a moor or marshland. It's of English origin.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a tailor, making clothes. It's of English origin.
13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew," a name meaning "manly" or "brave." It's of Scandinavian origin.
14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," a name meaning "twin" or "of the twins." It's of Aramaic origin.
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jack," a short form of the name John. It's of English origin.
16. **White:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with light-colored hair or skin. It's of English origin.
17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Harry," a short form of the name Henry. It's of English origin.
18. **Martin:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Martin," a name meaning "warlike" or "beloved of Mars." It's of Latin origin.
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas," also of English origin.
20. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin," often associated with Spanish heritage.
21. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robin," a common nickname for Robert. It's of English origin.
22. **Clark:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a clerk, a scribe or administrator. It's of English origin.
23. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Lewis," a name meaning "famous warrior." It's of Welsh origin.
24. **Lee:** A surname with various origins, including a place name in England and a Chinese surname. It can refer to a meadow or clearing.
25. **Walker:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a walker, a carrier of goods on foot. It's of English origin.
26. **Hall:** A place name surname, referring to someone who lived near a hall or manor house. It's of English origin.
27. **Allen:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alan," a name meaning "handsome" or "noble." It's of Gaelic origin.
28. **Young:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who was young. It's of English origin.
29. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando," a name derived from the Germanic elements "fern" (journey) and "nand" (bold).
30. **King:** An occupational surname referring to someone who ruled as a king. It's of English origin.
31. **Wright:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a wright, a craftsman. It's of English origin.
32. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "wolf," often associated with Spanish heritage.
33. **Hill:** A place name surname, referring to someone who lived near a hill. It's of English origin.
34. **Scott:** A surname with various origins, including a place name in Scotland and a descriptive surname referring to someone from Scotland.
35. **Green:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived in a green area or had green hair or skin. It's of English origin.
36. **Adams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Adam," the biblical first man. It's of Hebrew origin.
37. **Baker:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a baker, making bread. It's of English origin.
38. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo," a name derived from the Germanic elements "gund" (war) and "hard" (strong).
39. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil," a name meaning "champion" or "cloud." It's of Irish origin.
40. **Carter:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a carter, transporting goods by cart. It's of English origin.
41. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael," a name meaning "who is like God?" It's of Hebrew origin.
42. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro," a name meaning "rock" or "stone."
43. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert," a name meaning "bright fame" or "splendid glory." It's of Germanic origin.
44. **Turner:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a turner, shaping wood or metal on a lathe. It's of English origin.
45. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Philip," a name meaning "lover of horses." It's of Greek origin.
46. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth," derived from the Gaelic word "cam."
47. **Parker:** An occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a parker, a keeper of a park. It's of English origin.
48. **Evans:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Evan," a name meaning "young warrior." It's of Welsh origin.
49. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Edward," a name meaning "wealthy guardian." It's of English origin.
50. **Collins:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Colin," a name meaning "victory of the people." It's of Gaelic origin.