Most Common American Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the most common last names in America? This comprehensive list reveals the top names and their fascinating origins, offering insights into the rich tapestry of American ancestry. Discover the history behind these surnames and understand their prevalence across the nation.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational name for a blacksmith, derived from the Old English word "smið."

2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John," derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan."

3. **Williams:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of William," derived from the Germanic name "Wilhelm."

4. **Brown:** An occupational name for someone who worked with or tanned leather, derived from the Old English word "brūn."

5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John," derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan."

6. **Miller:** An occupational name for someone who worked in a mill, derived from the Old English word "mylnere."

7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew name "David."

8. **Garcia:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "little warrior," derived from the Basque language.

9. **Rodriguez:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo," derived from the Germanic name "Hrodric."

10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William," derived from the Germanic name "Wilhelm."

11. **Moore:** An occupational name for someone who lived by or worked on a moor, a marshy area.

12. **Taylor:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a tailor, derived from the Old French word "tailleur."

13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Andrew," derived from the Greek name "Andreas."

14. **Thomas:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas," derived from the Aramaic name "T'oma."

15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jack," derived from the English name "John."

16. **White:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with fair skin or hair, derived from the Old English word "hwīt."

17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry," derived from the Germanic name "Heinrich."

18. **Martin:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Martin," derived from the Latin name "Martius."

19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas," derived from the Aramaic name "T'oma."

20. **Martinez:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "son of Martin," derived from the Latin name "Martius."

21. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robin," derived from the English name "Robert."

22. **Clark:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a scribe or clerk, derived from the Old English word "clerc."

23. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Louis," derived from the Germanic name "Ludwig."

24. **Lee:** A topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near a meadow or clearing, derived from the Old English word "lēah."

25. **Walker:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a walker or messenger, derived from the Old English word "wealcan."

26. **Hall:** A topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near or in a hall, derived from the Old English word "hāl."

27. **Allen:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alan," derived from the Celtic name "Ailín."

28. **Young:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone who was young, derived from the Old English word "geong."

29. **Hernandez:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "son of Hernando," derived from the Germanic name "Ferdinand."

30. **King:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a king or ruler, derived from the Old English word "cyning."

31. **Wright:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a wright, a skilled craftsman, derived from the Old English word "wyrhta."

32. **Lopez:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "wolf," derived from the Latin word "lupus."

33. **Hill:** A topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near or on a hill, derived from the Old English word "hyll."

34. **Scott:** A topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near or in Scotland, derived from the Old English word "Scōt."

35. **Green:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with green hair or skin, derived from the Old English word "grēne."

36. **Adams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Adam," derived from the Hebrew name "Adam."

37. **Baker:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a baker, derived from the Old English word "bācere."

38. **Gonzalez:** A Hispanic surname, meaning "son of Gonzalo," derived from the Germanic name "Gundisal."

39. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil," derived from the Gaelic name "Niall."

40. **Carter:** An occupational name for someone who worked as a carter, a person who transported goods by cart, derived from the Old French word "charretier."