USA Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Origins and Meanings

Are you curious about the origins and meanings of common USA last names? This comprehensive guide delves into the fascinating history behind some of the most popular surnames in the United States. From Anglo-Saxon roots to European migrations, discover the stories woven into the fabric of American identity through the lens of last names.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname, indicating a person who worked as a blacksmith. The name is derived from the Old English word "smið," meaning "blacksmith."
2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John." It's one of the most common last names in the United States, reflecting the popularity of the given name John.
3. **Williams:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of William." It has a strong presence in the United States, reflecting the prevalence of the name William in English history.
4. **Brown:** A descriptive surname, indicating someone with brown hair or complexion. It's a common surname in many parts of the world, including the United States.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John." It's a prevalent last name in Wales and England, and its popularity in the United States can be traced back to early Welsh and English settlers.
6. **Miller:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a miller. It's a common surname in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with a history of grain production.
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David." It's a common surname in many English-speaking countries, reflecting the popularity of the biblical name David.
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name García. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Rodrigo. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
10. **Wilson:** An Anglo-Saxon surname, derived from the words "wise" and "son." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the prevalence of the name William.
11. **Moore:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who lived near a moor or marshland. It's a common surname in England and Ireland, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of early English and Irish settlers.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a tailor. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of clothing production in the past.
13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Andrew." It's a common surname in Scandinavian countries and the United States, reflecting the influence of Scandinavian immigration.
14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas." It's a common surname in Wales and England, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of early Welsh and English settlers.
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jack" or "son of John." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the popularity of the given name John.
16. **White:** A descriptive surname, indicating someone with fair skin or hair. It's a common surname in many parts of the world, including the United States.
17. **Harris:** A Germanic surname, derived from the word "hari," meaning "army." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the influence of Germanic tribes.
18. **Martin:** A Latin surname, derived from the name "Mars," the Roman god of war. It's a common surname in France and England, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of French and English colonization.
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the popularity of the given name Thomas.
20. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Gonzalo. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
21. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Lope. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
22. **Lee:** A Chinese surname, meaning "plum tree." It's one of the most common surnames in China and the world, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Chinese immigration.
23. **Walker:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a walker or messenger. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of transportation in the past.
24. **Hall:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who lived or worked near a hall. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the prevalence of large houses in the past.
25. **Allen:** An Anglo-Saxon surname, derived from the words "all" and "son." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the popularity of the name Allan.
26. **Young:** A descriptive surname, indicating someone who was young. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of age in the past.
27. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Hernando. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
28. **King:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a king or ruler. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the influence of royalty.
29. **Wright:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a wright or craftsman. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of skilled labor in the past.
30. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Lope. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
31. **Hill:** A topographic surname, indicating someone who lived near a hill. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the prevalence of hills in the landscape.
32. **Scott:** A Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic word "sgotadh," meaning "cut" or "notch." It's a common surname in Scotland and the United States, reflecting the influence of Scottish immigration.
33. **Green:** A descriptive surname, indicating someone with green hair or complexion. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the prevalence of green in nature.
34. **Adams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Adam." It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the biblical name Adam.
35. **Baker:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a baker. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of food production in the past.
36. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Gonzalo. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.
37. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil." It's a common surname in Scandinavian countries and the United States, reflecting the influence of Scandinavian immigration.
38. **Carter:** An occupational surname, indicating someone who worked as a carter or driver of a cart. It's a common surname in England and the United States, reflecting the importance of transportation in the past.
39. **Mitchell:** A Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic word "maighistir," meaning "master." It's a common surname in Scotland and the United States, reflecting the influence of Scottish immigration.
40. **Perez:** A Spanish surname, often derived from the given name Pedro. It's a common surname in Spain and Latin America, and its presence in the United States reflects the influence of Spanish colonization.