Most Common Last Names in the World: A Global Survey of Surnames

Discover the most prevalent last names across the globe, exploring their origins and meanings. This comprehensive list delves into the fascinating world of surnames, shedding light on their evolution and cultural significance. Whether you're curious about the roots of your own family name or simply fascinated by the diversity of human heritage, this exploration of common last names offers a unique glimpse into global history and identity.
1. **Wang:** A Chinese surname meaning "king" or "royal." It is one of the most common surnames in the world, primarily found in China, Taiwan, and other East Asian countries.
2. **Li:** Another prevalent Chinese surname meaning "plum" or "beautiful." It is often associated with the Li dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
3. **Zhang:** A Chinese surname meaning "net" or "to spread." It is a popular surname in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
4. **Liu:** A Chinese surname meaning "to flow" or "stream." It is often associated with the Liu dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
5. **Chen:** A Chinese surname meaning "morning" or "dawn." It is one of the most common surnames in China, and it is also found in other East Asian countries.
6. **Yang:** A Chinese surname meaning "sun" or "bright." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
7. **Huang:** A Chinese surname meaning "yellow" or "imperial." It is often associated with the Huang dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
8. **Zhao:** A Chinese surname meaning "to summon" or "to invite." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
9. **Wu:** A Chinese surname meaning "martial" or "military." It is one of the most common surnames in China, and it is also found in other East Asian countries.
10. **Zhou:** A Chinese surname meaning "week" or "period." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
11. **Xu:** A Chinese surname meaning "promise" or "to hope." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
12. **Sun:** A Chinese surname meaning "sun" or "bright." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
13. **Ma:** A Chinese surname meaning "horse." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
14. **Zheng:** A Chinese surname meaning "upright" or "correct." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
15. **Guo:** A Chinese surname meaning "country" or "nation." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
16. **Deng:** A Chinese surname meaning "light" or "lamp." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
17. **Cao:** A Chinese surname meaning "grass" or "plant." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
18. **Yu:** A Chinese surname meaning "jade" or "jewel." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
19. **Jiang:** A Chinese surname meaning "river" or "stream." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
20. **Lin:** A Chinese surname meaning "forest" or "grove." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
21. **Zhang:** A Chinese surname meaning "net" or "to spread." It is a popular surname in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
22. **He:** A Chinese surname meaning "harmony" or "peace." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
23. **Guo:** A Chinese surname meaning "country" or "nation." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
24. **Gao:** A Chinese surname meaning "tall" or "high." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
25. **Yi:** A Chinese surname meaning "one" or "unity." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
26. **Xie:** A Chinese surname meaning "to thank" or "to appreciate." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
27. **Chen:** A Chinese surname meaning "morning" or "dawn." It is one of the most common surnames in China, and it is also found in other East Asian countries.
28. **Feng:** A Chinese surname meaning "wind" or "phoenix." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
29. **Pan:** A Chinese surname meaning "basin" or "dish." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
30. **Liang:** A Chinese surname meaning "liang" or "bright." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
31. **Liu:** A Chinese surname meaning "to flow" or "stream." It is often associated with the Liu dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
32. **Wang:** A Chinese surname meaning "king" or "royal." It is one of the most common surnames in the world, primarily found in China, Taiwan, and other East Asian countries.
33. **Li:** Another prevalent Chinese surname meaning "plum" or "beautiful." It is often associated with the Li dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
34. **Chen:** A Chinese surname meaning "morning" or "dawn." It is one of the most common surnames in China, and it is also found in other East Asian countries.
35. **Yang:** A Chinese surname meaning "sun" or "bright." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
36. **Huang:** A Chinese surname meaning "yellow" or "imperial." It is often associated with the Huang dynasty, a ruling family in ancient China.
37. **Zhao:** A Chinese surname meaning "to summon" or "to invite." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
38. **Wu:** A Chinese surname meaning "martial" or "military." It is one of the most common surnames in China, and it is also found in other East Asian countries.
39. **Zhou:** A Chinese surname meaning "week" or "period." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
40. **Xu:** A Chinese surname meaning "promise" or "to hope." It is a popular surname in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.