Most Common Last Names: A Comprehensive List and Meaning Breakdown

Discover the most prevalent surnames across the globe. This comprehensive list explores the origins, significance, and cultural context of these common last names, offering insights into their historical and linguistic roots. Whether you're researching your family history or simply curious about the most widely shared surnames, this resource provides a detailed exploration of their meanings and significance.
1. **Wang:** A Chinese surname meaning "king" or "ruler," it is one of the most common surnames in China and around the world.
2. **Li:** Another prominent Chinese surname meaning "plum tree" or "peach tree," symbolizing longevity and prosperity.
3. **Zhang:** A common Chinese surname meaning "net" or "trap," representing the concept of capturing and containing.
4. **Liu:** A Chinese surname with a variety of meanings, including "flow" or "current," "willow tree," and "a type of musical instrument."
5. **Chen:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "to inspect," "to examine," and "to investigate."
6. **Yang:** A Chinese surname meaning "sun" or "sheep," representing warmth, energy, and positivity.
7. **Huang:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "yellow," "emperor," and "flourishing."
8. **Zhao:** A Chinese surname with various meanings, including "to summon," "to invite," and "to build."
9. **Wu:** A Chinese surname with multiple meanings, including "military," "martial arts," and "dance."
10. **Zhou:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "week" and "dynasty."
11. **Xu:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "to promise," "to hope," and "to want."
12. **Sun:** A Chinese surname meaning "sun," symbolizing warmth, energy, and vitality.
13. **Ma:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "horse," "hemp," and "to wait."
14. **Zhu:** A Chinese surname meaning "pig," symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
15. **Hu:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "tiger" and "lake."
16. **Guo:** A Chinese surname meaning "country," "nation," or "state."
17. **Lin:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "forest," "wood," and "to be near."
18. **He:** A Chinese surname with several meanings, including "river," "peace," and "harmony."
19. **Zheng:** A Chinese surname meaning "correct," "upright," or "just."
20. **Jia:** A Chinese surname meaning "family" or "household."
21. **Wang:** A Vietnamese surname meaning "king" or "ruler," adopted from the Chinese surname.
22. **Nguyen:** A Vietnamese surname with a variety of meanings, including "original," "first," and "ancestor."
23. **Tran:** A Vietnamese surname meaning "to be smooth" or "to be easy."
24. **Le:** A Vietnamese surname with several meanings, including "plum tree," "peach tree," and "prosperity."
25. **Pham:** A Vietnamese surname with several meanings, including "to violate" or "to break."
26. **Phan:** A Vietnamese surname with several meanings, including "to separate" or "to divide."
27. **Hoang:** A Vietnamese surname meaning "emperor" or "king."
28. **Vo:** A Vietnamese surname meaning "to avoid" or "to escape."
29. **Dang:** A Vietnamese surname with several meanings, including "to wait" or "to expect."
30. **Duong:** A Vietnamese surname meaning "sun," symbolizing warmth, energy, and vitality.
31. **Smith:** An English surname meaning "blacksmith," referring to a person who works with iron.
32. **Jones:** An English surname with a variety of meanings, including "son of John" and "descendant of John."
33. **Brown:** An English surname referring to someone with brown hair or skin.
34. **Davis:** An English surname meaning "son of David."
35. **Miller:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a miller.
36. **Wilson:** An English surname meaning "son of William."
37. **Moore:** An English surname meaning "moor," referring to a type of open, marshy land.
38. **Taylor:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a tailor.
39. **Anderson:** An English surname meaning "son of Andrew."
40. **Thomas:** An English surname meaning "twin."
41. **Jackson:** An English surname meaning "son of Jack," a common nickname for John.
42. **White:** An English surname referring to someone with white hair or skin.
43. **Harris:** An English surname meaning "son of Harry," a common nickname for Henry.
44. **Martin:** An English surname meaning "warlike."
45. **Thompson:** An English surname meaning "son of Thomas."
46. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcias."
47. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."
48. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."
49. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."
50. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope."
51. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."
52. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro."
53. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Sancho."
54. **Robinson:** An English surname meaning "son of Robin," a common nickname for Robert.
55. **Clark:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a clerk or scribe.
56. **Lewis:** An English surname meaning "famous warrior."
57. **Lee:** An English surname with several meanings, including "meadow," "clearing," and "clearing in the woods."
58. **Walker:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a walker or traveler.
59. **Hall:** An English surname referring to someone who lives in a hall.
60. **Allen:** An English surname with several meanings, including "rock," "stone," and "handsome."
61. **Young:** An English surname referring to someone who is young.
62. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."
63. **King:** An English surname referring to someone who is a king or ruler.
64. **Wright:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a wright, a skilled craftsman.
65. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope."
66. **Hill:** An English surname referring to someone who lives on a hill.
67. **Scott:** An English surname with several meanings, including "Scottish," "descendant of Scot," and "from the Scots."
68. **Green:** An English surname referring to someone who lives near a green area.
69. **Adams:** An English surname meaning "son of Adam."
70. **Baker:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a baker.
71. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."
72. **Nelson:** An English surname meaning "son of Neil."
73. **Carter:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a carter, a person who transports goods by cart.
74. **Mitchell:** An English surname meaning "son of Michael."
75. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro."
76. **Roberts:** An English surname meaning "son of Robert."
77. **Turner:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a turner, a craftsman who shapes wood or metal.
78. **Phillips:** An English surname meaning "son of Philip."
79. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth," referring to a specific geographic feature.
80. **Parker:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a parker, a keeper of a park.
81. **Evans:** An English surname meaning "son of Evan."
82. **Edwards:** An English surname meaning "son of Edward."
83. **Collins:** An English surname meaning "son of Colin."
84. **Stewart:** A Scottish surname with several meanings, including "steward," "manager," and "overseer."
85. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Sancho."
86. **Morris:** An English surname meaning "dark-skinned," or "moorish."
87. **Rogers:** An English surname meaning "son of Roger."
88. **Reed:** An English surname referring to someone who lives near a reed bed or marsh.
89. **Cook:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a cook.
90. **Morgan:** A Welsh surname meaning "sea warrior."
91. **Bell:** An English surname referring to someone who makes or sells bells.
92. **Murphy:** An Irish surname meaning "sea warrior."
93. **Bailey:** An English surname referring to someone who lives near a bailiff's house or in a bailiwick.
94. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname meaning "river."
95. **Cooper:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a cooper, a craftsman who makes barrels.
96. **Richardson:** An English surname meaning "son of Richard."
97. **Cox:** An English surname referring to someone who works as a coxswain, a person who steers a boat.
98. **Howard:** An English surname meaning "brave warrior."
99. **Ward:** An English surname referring to someone who guards a ward or territory.
100. **Arnold:** A German surname meaning "strong eagle."