Popular Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a popular last name? Whether you're searching for inspiration for a fictional character or simply curious about the most common surnames in the world, this comprehensive list has you covered. This guide explores the origins and meanings behind some of the most popular last names, providing insights into their history and cultural significance.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational surname for people who worked as blacksmiths.
2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John."
3. **Williams:** Another 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 surname for people who worked as millers.
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David."
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "bear."
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo."
10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William."
11. **Moore:** An occupational surname for people who worked as moorland farmers.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for people who worked as tailors.
13. **Anderson:** A 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 white hair or skin.
17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry."
18. **Martin:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Martin."
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas."
20. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "bear."
21. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Martin."
22. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robin."
23. **Clark:** An occupational surname for people who worked as scribes.
24. **Lewis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Lewis."
25. **Lee:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone who lived near a clearing.
26. **Walker:** An occupational surname for people who worked as walkers.
27. **Hall:** A locative surname, referring to someone who lived near a hall.
28. **Allen:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alan."
29. **Young:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone who was young.
30. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Hernando."
31. **King:** An occupational surname for people who worked as kings.
32. **Wright:** An occupational surname for people who worked as artisans.
33. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "wolf."
34. **Hill:** A locative surname, referring to someone who lived on a hill.
35. **Scott:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Scott."
36. **Green:** A descriptive surname, referring to someone with green hair or skin.
37. **Adams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Adam."
38. **Baker:** An occupational surname for people who worked as bakers.
39. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Gonzalo."
40. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil."
41. **Carter:** An occupational surname for people who worked as cart drivers.
42. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Michael."
43. **Perez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "pear."
44. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robert."
45. **Turner:** An occupational surname for people who worked as turners.
46. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Philip."
47. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname, meaning "crooked mouth."
48. **Parker:** An occupational surname for people who worked as park keepers.
49. **Evans:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Evan."
50. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Edward."