100 Most Common Last Names in North America and US 2025

Last names reflect ancestry, migration, and cultural influence. A global analysis by NetCredit, national censuses, and linguistic studies, identified the most common surnames in each country. In the U.S., an analysis based on U.S. Census Bureau data ranked Smith, Johnson, and Williams as the three most common surnames.

The U.S. has over 150,000 different last names, reflecting its diverse population. Among specific groups, Smith is the most common surname for white Americans, Williams for African Americans, Nguyen for Asian Americans, and Garcia for Hispanic Americans.

Similar patterns appear globally. Rodriguez is the most common surname in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and the Bahamas, while Brown, the most frequent surname in Jamaica, is also the fourth most popular in the U.S.

These trends highlight how history and migration have influenced naming conventions across countries.

Meaning of the Most Popular Last Names

Smith

John Smith remains the most prevalent name in the US today, with 50,440 individuals bearing it, according to Star Courier. Even as a standalone surname, Smith ranks among the most widespread in the country.

Long ago, blacksmithing was a widespread and esteemed trade. As surnames began gaining traction due to growing populations (around 1066), people started identifying others by their first name paired with their occupation, such as Tom the Smith, or simply Tom Smith.

Blacksmithing stands as one of the oldest professions, demanding considerable expertise. This surname isn’t just common in the US; it’s also widely found in Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Australia, though with variations like Smythe, Smyth, or Schmidt.

Meeting someone named Smith suggests a blacksmith ancestor in their lineage. Moreover, the name Smith holds biblical significance, meaning “the son of god” and “the favored” in its Greek roots. According to recent figures, 2.5 million Americans share the surname Smith.

Johnson

Johnson is an English patronymic surname meaning “son of John,” much like Wilson (Will’s son), Benson (Ben’s son), and Thomson (Thomas’ son).

Its roots trace back to the same regions as Smith, England, Scotland, and Wales, since Westerners were among the earliest settlers in North America.

Today, the number of individuals with the surname Johnson stands at 1.9 million, just below Smith but still securing its place as the second most common last name in the US.

Williams

The surname Williams has both patronymic and linguistic origins. Like Johnson, it means “son of William,” but it also comes from the Old Germanic elements “will,” meaning desire or determination, and “helm,” meaning helmet or protection.

With approximately 1.6 million people carrying the name as of 2021, Williams is the third most common last name in the United States. In the 1840s, the surname was most concentrated in states like New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, but over time, Williams families migrated across the country, establishing strong roots in both the eastern and western United States.

For those researching their ancestry, the Williams surname appears in numerous historical records, offering valuable insights into family heritage.

Brown

The surname Brown was originally assigned to individuals based on their physical characteristics, such as brown hair, skin tone, or frequently worn clothing. The name has its origins in England, Scotland, and Ireland and remains common throughout Europe today.

With approximately 1.4 million people carrying the surname in the United States, Brown ranks as the fourth most common last name in the country according to Ancestry.

Since Brown is linked to appearance, one might wonder why other color-based surnames, like “Red” or “Blonde,” are not as widespread. While White ranks as the 20th most common surname in the U.S., “Red” is much rarer, with only one in 800,000 people having the name.

Miller

Like Smith, the surname Miller is occupational in origin, historically referring to someone who worked in a grain mill. Today, Miller is the sixth most common last name in the U.S., with a population of approximately 1.1 million, as noted by ThoughtCo.

Unlike many of the other popular surnames with English origins, Miller comes from Bavaria, Germany, and is derived from the Old Germanic word “Molinari”, which also influenced the similar surname Milner. Both names originate from the same profession and were used to identify individuals involved in milling grain.

Origins of Surnames

These names have evolved over centuries, shaped by traditions, geography, and social structures. Passed down through generations, surnames serve as a lasting connection to the past and help trace the journey of families across time.

Most surnames fall into four main categories:

Patronymic Surnames: A Legacy of Family Heritage

Patronymic surnames originate from a person’s father or ancestor’s name, creating a direct link to family lineage. These surnames were commonly formed by adding a suffix or prefix to an ancestor’s first name, indicating descent.

For example, in English-speaking societies, Johnson means “son of John,” and Robertson means “son of Robert.” Similar traditions exist worldwide; MacDonald in Scotland means “son of Donald,” while Ibrahimović in Slavic cultures signifies “son of Ibrahim.”

It’s not unusual for many ethnicities to celebrate their surname as a unique “identity” of their own. That is especially the case in Europe, where some families kept their surnames for hundreds of years. If you want to highlight your surname as a way to express pride and heritage, you can use Custom Printed Pins, which would be especially interesting for some special family events.

Locative Surnames: Tied to Places

@knoxstudy Surnames derived from occupations – the repost! #surname #etymology #history ♬ original sound – Knox Study

Locative surnames identify a person’s place of origin, often referring to towns, regions, or even geographical features like rivers and hills. These surnames were especially common when people lived in smaller, close-knit communities where identifying someone by their hometown was practical.

Examples include Hill or Brooklyn in English, Toledo in Spanish, and Da Vinci in Italian, which means “from Vinci.” As families migrated, these names remained as a link to their ancestral homelands.

Occupational Surnames: Reflecting Ancestral Trades

Occupational surnames were derived from the jobs or roles held by individuals in their communities. These names provide a glimpse into historical professions and the skills that were essential to society at different points in time.

Some of the most common occupational surnames in English include Smith (blacksmith), Baker, Fisher, and Carpenter. Similarly, in German, Müller means “miller,” while Schneider means “tailor.” These surnames tell the story of a family’s role in the working world generations ago.

Nickname-Based Surnames: Traits and Personalities

Discover the three most common surnames in each U.S. state for 2024! Is your last name on the list? Check out the full map here: https://t.co/wLSkKuh131 📊 #CommonSurnames #FamilyHistory pic.twitter.com/paEC6PrDLo

— Digismarties (@digismarties) February 20, 2025

Nickname-based surnames originated from distinctive characteristics, physical traits, or even behaviors of an ancestor. These names often highlight unique features or qualities that define a person within their community.

For example, Armstrong may have described an ancestor known for their strength, White could have referred to someone with light-colored hair or a pale complexion, and Goodfellow may have been given to a person known for their kindness or good nature.

The Fastest-Growing Surnames in the United States

The U.S. Census Bureau tracks changes in surname frequency, providing insight into shifting demographics and immigration trends.

According to census data, certain last names saw significant increases in prevalence between 2000 and 2010.

Top 15 Last Names With the Largest Frequency Increase (2000-2010)

Asian Surnames Dominate the List

• Many of the fastest-growing surnames, including Zhang, Li, Liu, Wang, Huang, Lin, Chen, and Wu, are of Chinese origin. The substantial increase in these names reflects significant Chinese immigration to the U.S. over the past few decades.
• Singh, a common Indian surname, also saw notable growth, mirroring the increasing South Asian population in the country.
• Ali and Khan, both of Middle Eastern and South Asian origin, also experienced significant increases.

Hispanic Surnames on the Rise

• Vazquez, Velazquez, and Bautista are of Hispanic origin, and their increasing prevalence corresponds with the growth of the Latino population in the United States.
• The Census Bureau has long noted a steady rise in Spanish-origin surnames due to both immigration and higher birth rates in Hispanic communities.

The Rise of Patel in India

The Patel surname, primarily associated with people of Indian descent, also saw significant growth. This reflects the expanding Indian-American population, particularly in fields such as medicine, engineering, and business.

Final Thoughts

A name is more than a word on a page. It is a story handed down, one generation to the next. It carries the sound of old towns, lost languages, and the hope of new beginnings. Names like Smith, Johnson, and Williams remind us how families shaped a nation, each one leaving a quiet mark on its history.

Across borders, every name holds meaning. Some point to the work of ancestors who forged iron or tilled the land. Others reach back to faith, culture, or distant homelands. Each reflects the journey of people who wanted a better life and found it somewhere far from where their story began.

In the end, a surname is a record of endurance. It tells us that no matter how much time passes, families remember where they started. Every name is a bridge between past and present, proof that identity does not fade. It lives on, one word at a time.