Most Common Last Name in the World: A Global Look at Family Histories

Determining the most common last name in the world is a fascinating journey that delves into the rich tapestry of human history and cultural diversity. While pinpointing the absolute most common surname is difficult due to varying data sources and population sizes, we can explore a comprehensive list of the most prevalent surnames across the globe, offering insights into their origins, meanings, and distribution.
1. **Wang:** This Chinese surname translates to "king" or "royal." It is believed to have originated from the Shang Dynasty and is one of the most common surnames in China, and thus the world, due to its historical significance and widespread distribution.

2. **Li:** Another prevalent Chinese surname, "Li" means "plum" or "beautiful." Its roots trace back to the Zhou Dynasty, and it's associated with the concept of prosperity and good fortune.

3. **Zhang:** Meaning "net" or "spread," "Zhang" is a prominent Chinese surname with a deep historical connection to fishing and textile industries.

4. **Liu:** This Chinese surname translates to "flow" or "current." It's associated with water and symbolizes a smooth and successful life.

5. **Chen:** Meaning "dust" or "soil," "Chen" is a prominent surname in China and other Asian countries. It symbolizes stability and groundedness.

6. **Yang:** "Yang" is a Chinese surname meaning "sun" or "bright." It signifies positivity and hope.

7. **Huang:** Translating to "yellow" or "emperor," "Huang" is a historically significant surname in China, often associated with imperial power.

8. **Zhao:** "Zhao" is a Chinese surname meaning "to summon" or "to invite." It signifies leadership and authority.

9. **Wu:** This Chinese surname translates to "military" or "martial." It is often associated with strength and power.

10. **Zhou:** "Zhou" is a Chinese surname meaning "week" or "cycle." It signifies continuity and endurance.

11. **Xu:** Meaning "promise" or "vow," "Xu" is a Chinese surname associated with integrity and trustworthiness.

12. **Sun:** This Chinese surname translates to "sun" or "sunlight." It signifies warmth and vitality.

13. **Ma:** Meaning "horse," "Ma" is a Chinese surname often associated with swiftness and strength.

14. **Zheng:** "Zheng" is a Chinese surname meaning "correct" or "upright." It signifies justice and integrity.

15. **Jiang:** Translating to "river" or "stream," "Jiang" is a Chinese surname symbolizing flow and progress.

16. **Wang:** Meaning "king" or "royal," this surname is also common in Vietnam.

17. **Nguyen:** The most common surname in Vietnam, "Nguyen" is of Vietnamese origin and is believed to have been derived from the name of a Chinese dynasty.

18. **Tran:** Another prominent surname in Vietnam, "Tran" signifies a dynasty in Vietnamese history.

19. **Le:** Meaning "plum" or "beautiful," this Vietnamese surname shares the same character as "Li" in Chinese.

20. **Pham:** This surname is of Vietnamese origin and is believed to be connected to a historical military family.

21. **Vo:** "Vo" is a Vietnamese surname with uncertain origins but is believed to be connected to the concept of "art" or "skill."

22. **Hoang:** Meaning "emperor" or "royal," this Vietnamese surname is connected to the historical dynasties of the country.

23. **Nguyen:** The most common surname in India, "Nguyen" is of Indian origin and is believed to have originated from a warrior clan.

24. **Kumar:** Meaning "prince" or "son," this surname is widespread in India and other South Asian countries.

25. **Singh:** "Singh" is a common surname in India, mainly associated with Sikhism, signifying "lion."

26. **Sharma:** This surname is prevalent in India and Nepal, signifying a "learned person" or "scholar."

27. **Patel:** Common in India and Gujarat, "Patel" signifies a "chief" or "leader."

28. **Gupta:** Meaning "hidden" or "secret," this surname is widely distributed in India.

29. **Verma:** "Verma" is a prominent surname in India, often associated with the "Brahmin" caste.

30. **Pandey:** Meaning "priest" or "teacher," this surname is prevalent in India and Nepal.

31. **Mishra:** "Mishra" is a common surname in India, associated with the "Brahmin" caste.

32. **Yadav:** This surname is associated with the "Yadav" clan in India.

33. **Jha:** Meaning "lord" or "master," this surname is prevalent in India and Nepal.

34. **Srivastava:** "Srivastava" is a common surname in India, meaning "lord of the universe."

35. **Dwivedi:** This surname is prevalent in India, meaning "priest" or "teacher."

36. **Trivedi:** "Trivedi" is a common surname in India, meaning "three-eyed" or "wise."

37. **Tiwari:** "Tiwari" is a prominent surname in India, meaning "priest" or "teacher."

38. **Chaturvedi:** Meaning "four-eyed" or "learned," this surname is prevalent in India.

39. **Mohanty:** "Mohanty" is a common surname in India, associated with the "Brahmin" caste.

40. **Das:** "Das" is a common surname in India, meaning "servant" or "follower."

41. **Sarkar:** "Sarkar" is a prominent surname in India, meaning "government" or "ruler."

42. **Roy:** "Roy" is a common surname in India, meaning "king" or "ruler."

43. **Khan:** This surname is prevalent in South Asia and the Middle East, meaning "king" or "ruler."

44. **Mohammed:** This surname is common in many Muslim-majority countries, signifying the name of the Prophet Muhammad.

45. **Ali:** "Ali" is a common surname in many Muslim-majority countries, meaning "high" or "noble."

46. **Ahmed:** "Ahmed" is a common surname in many Muslim-majority countries, signifying praise and gratitude.

47. **Hassan:** "Hassan" is a common surname in many Muslim-majority countries, meaning "handsome" or "good."

48. **Hussein:** "Hussein" is a common surname in many Muslim-majority countries, signifying a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

49. **Khan:** "Khan" is a common surname in many Muslim-majority countries, meaning "lord" or "ruler."

50. **Garcia:** This surname is of Spanish origin and is one of the most common in Spain and Latin America.

51. **Rodriguez:** Another common surname of Spanish origin, "Rodriguez" signifies a descendant of Rodrigo.

52. **Martinez:** "Martinez" is a Spanish surname meaning "son of Martin."

53. **Hernandez:** This surname is of Spanish origin, signifying a descendant of Hernando.

54. **Lopez:** "Lopez" is a Spanish surname meaning "son of Lope."

55. **Gonzalez:** "Gonzalez" is a Spanish surname signifying a descendant of Gonzalo.

56. **Perez:** "Perez" is a Spanish surname meaning "son of Pedro."

57. **Sanchez:** This surname is of Spanish origin, signifying a descendant of Sancho.

58. **Wilson:** "Wilson" is an English surname meaning "son of Will."

59. **Smith:** This surname is of English origin, signifying a blacksmith or metalworker.

60. **Jones:** "Jones" is an English surname meaning "son of John."

61. **Brown:** "Brown" is an English surname derived from a descriptive term for someone with brown hair or skin.

62. **Davis:** "Davis" is an English surname meaning "son of David."

63. **Miller:** "Miller" is an English surname signifying someone who works with grain.

64. **Moore:** "Moore" is an English surname often associated with someone who lives near a moor.

65. **Taylor:** "Taylor" is an English surname signifying a tailor or cloth maker.

66. **Anderson:** "Anderson" is an English surname meaning "son of Andrew."

67. **Thomas:** "Thomas" is an English surname derived from a given name.

68. **Jackson:** "Jackson" is an English surname meaning "son of Jack."

69. **White:** "White" is an English surname derived from a descriptive term for someone with fair skin or hair.

70. **Harris:** "Harris" is an English surname signifying a son of Harry.

71. **Martin:** "Martin" is an English surname derived from a given name.

72. **Thompson:** "Thompson" is an English surname meaning "son of Tom."

73. **Garcia:** "Garcia" is also a common surname in Portugal.

74. **Rodrigues:** "Rodrigues" is a common surname in Portugal, signifying a descendant of Rodrigo.

75. **Silva:** This surname is of Portuguese origin, signifying a forest or woodland.

76. **Santos:** "Santos" is a Portuguese surname meaning "saints" or "holy ones."

77. **Pereira:** This surname is of Portuguese origin, signifying a pear tree.

78. **Costa:** "Costa" is a Portuguese surname meaning "coast" or "shore."

79. **Almeida:** "Almeida" is a Portuguese surname signifying a place name, "almond grove."

80. **Mendes:** "Mendes" is a Portuguese surname signifying a descendant of Mendez.

81. **Fernandes:** This surname is of Portuguese origin, signifying a descendant of Fernando.

82. **Gonçalves:** "Gonçalves" is a Portuguese surname signifying a descendant of Gonçalo.

83. **Oliveira:** "Oliveira" is a Portuguese surname signifying an olive tree.

84. **Sousa:** "Sousa" is a Portuguese surname signifying a place name, "under the pine trees."

85. **Marques:** "Marques" is a Portuguese surname signifying a descendant of Marco.

86. **Carvalho:** "Carvalho" is a Portuguese surname signifying an oak tree.

87. **Dias:** "Dias" is a Portuguese surname meaning "days" or "days of the week."

88. **Vieira:** "Vieira" is a Portuguese surname signifying a vineyard or winery.

89. **Ribeiro:** "Ribeiro" is a Portuguese surname signifying a stream or river.

90. **Moreira:** "Moreira" is a Portuguese surname signifying a mulberry tree.

91. **Correia:** "Correia" is a Portuguese surname signifying a leather worker.

92. **Santos:** This surname is also common in Brazil, signifying "saints" or "holy ones."

93. **Silva:** "Silva" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a forest or woodland.

94. **Oliveira:** "Oliveira" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying an olive tree.

95. **Costa:** "Costa" is a common surname in Brazil, meaning "coast" or "shore."

96. **Rodrigues:** "Rodrigues" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a descendant of Rodrigo.

97. **Pereira:** "Pereira" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a pear tree.

98. **Almeida:** "Almeida" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a place name, "almond grove."

99. **Fernandes:** "Fernandes" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a descendant of Fernando.

100. **Souza:** "Souza" is a common surname in Brazil, signifying a place name, "under the pine trees."