Popular American Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a list of common last names in the United States? This comprehensive guide explores the origins and meanings behind some of the most popular surnames in America, offering insights into their history and cultural significance. Whether you're researching your family tree or simply curious about the names that define the American landscape, this list has you covered.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational name for a blacksmith, derived from the Old English word "smiþ."
2. **Johnson:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of John."
3. **Williams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of William."
4. **Brown:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with brown hair or skin.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of John."
6. **Miller:** An occupational name for someone who works in a mill, derived from the Middle English word "miller."
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of David."
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Garcia," a common name of Germanic origin.
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish patronymic surname meaning "son of Rodrigo."
10. **Wilson:** An English surname meaning "son of William."
11. **Moore:** A topographic surname referring to a moor or open wasteland.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a tailor.
13. **Anderson:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew."
14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Jack."
16. **White:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with fair skin or light hair.
17. **Harris:** An English surname meaning "son of Harry."
18. **Martin:** A common surname of Latin origin, meaning "warlike" or "belonging to Mars."
19. **Thompson:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Thomas."
20. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."
21. **Robinson:** An English surname meaning "son of Robin."
22. **Clark:** An occupational name for someone who works as a scribe or secretary, derived from the Middle English word "clerk."
23. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Louis."
24. **Lee:** A topographic surname referring to a meadow or clearing.
25. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a walker or messenger.
26. **Hall:** A topographic surname referring to a large house or manor.
27. **Allen:** A surname of Old English origin, meaning "handsome" or "noble."
28. **Young:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who is young or youthful.
29. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Hernando."
30. **King:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a king or ruler.
31. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a craftsman, derived from the Old English word "wriht."
32. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope."
33. **Hill:** A topographic surname referring to a hill or elevated land.
34. **Scott:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "from the Scots."
35. **Green:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with green hair or skin.
36. **Adams:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Adam."
37. **Baker:** An occupational surname for someone who bakes bread.
38. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Gonzalo."
39. **Nelson:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Neil."
40. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a cart driver.
41. **Mitchell:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael."
42. **Perez:** A Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro."
43. **Roberts:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert."
44. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a turner or lathe operator.
45. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Philip."
46. **Campbell:** A surname of Scottish origin, meaning "crooked mouth."
47. **Parker:** An occupational surname for someone who works as a park keeper.
48. **Evans:** A Welsh patronymic surname meaning "son of Evan."
49. **Edwards:** An English patronymic surname meaning "son of Edward."
50. **Collins:** An English surname meaning "son of Colin."