America is a melting pot of different cultures and has a wide range of common surnames of various origins that reflect their heritage. Here are some of America’s most common surnames—did yours make the list?
Smith
Smith’s etymology dates back to Anglo-Saxon England and comes from the Old English ‘smid,’ which means to strike or hit. The word referred to those who worked with metal, like goldsmiths and blacksmiths. Viborc notes that it is the most popular surname for white Americans, but it is also common among African Americans and the country’s most common surname.
Johnson
Johnson is the second most common surname in America, with almost two million Americans. It is a classic patronymic name derived from the Anglo-Norman “son of John.” Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, is a famous example of an American with the surname.
Jones
The fifth most common surname in America, Jones has a Welsh origin, meaning “son of John.” It is a common surname in Wales, with famous people like Tom Jones. The surname became common in America as English and Welsh people immigrated to North America.
Nguyen
The most common surname for Asian Americans, with almost half a million people, is Nguyen, of Chinese origin. However, today, it is far less common in China than in Vietnam, where it is the most common surname, with estimates that up to 40% of Vietnam’s population bears the name.
Davis
Davis is the eighth most common surname in America and has a Welsh origin, meaning “son of David.” Some historians believe the name is a corruption of Dyfed, an area of southwest Wales colonized by the Irish and occupied for five centuries. Sammy Davis Jr., a member of the Rat Pack, is a famous example of an American with this surname.
Rodriguez
Rodriguez is the second most common surname for Hispanic Americans, with over a million people. This Spanish name, meaning “son of Rodrigo,” spread to the Americas as Spain colonized the continent.
Williams
Williams is another surname reflecting the early British colonization of America. The name derives from the Norman “son of William” and is one of the most common surnames in Australia and New Zealand. Alabama Local News points to a survey that reveals it is the most common surname for African Americans.
Martinez
Martinez is a common surname among Spanish-speaking countries and several European countries. It is the fourth-most common surname for Hispanic Americans, with several famous people who were early settlers in the Americas, including the founder of Coro, Venezuela.
Hernandez
Hernandez has a Spanish origin and became common in the 15th century, meaning “son of Hernando,” and is today one of America’s most common Hispanic American surnames. Suicide Squad actor Jay Hernandez is a notable example of an American with this surname.
Lopez
Lopez is derived from the Latin word for wolf, “lupus,” and is America’s twelfth most common surname. Originally a patronymic meaning “son of Lope,” today, the most famous American with the surname is singer Jennifer Lopez.
Brown
Brown is one of the most common surnames for white and African Americans and is the fourth most common surname in America. Find My Past notes, “The name has multiple roots, from the Old English word ‘brun,’ Middle English ‘broun,’ Norse ‘brunn,’ and French ‘brun.’”
Wilson
Wilson is the fourteenth most common surname in America and one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world. The surname means “son of Will,” which was derived from Old Norse and is the name of the famous sports equipment manufacturer.
Anderson
Anderson is the fifteenth most common surname in America and has similar roots in Scandinavia and Britain. Meaning “son of Ander/Andrew,” the name was particularly common among Scottish and Irish settlers in 18th-century America.
Thomas
Thomas has Danish, Dutch, English, Irish, French, German, and Welsh origins, with biblical significance meaning “twin.” The surname is the third most common in France; today, Thomas is the sixteenth most common surname in America.
Garcia
Garcia is the most common Hispanic surname in America. FamilySearch notes that this was a “medieval personal name of uncertain origin” and may have a “pre-Roman origin, perhaps akin to Basque (h)artz ‘bear.’”
Taylor
This surname is derived from the Old French word “tailleur,” or one who cuts cloth. This Anglo-French name is the seventeenth most common surname in America and is widespread in English-speaking countries around the world.
Moore
This surname has several hypothesized origins, with the most popular theory being the Middle English word “mor,” meaning bog or heath, which would have been given to people living in these areas. Today, Moore is the eighteenth most common surname in the U.S.
Jackson
House of Names notes that this surname “first emerged in the borderlands between England and Scotland” and means “son of Jack.” In America, Jackson is the nineteenth most common surname, and it is notably the surname of the Jackson family, one of the most influential music families in American history.
Read More: 18 Reasons Why No One Is Interested in Working Anymore
The concept of traditional employment has taken a back seat in recent times with changes in economic and social factors, as well as individual preferences. Traditional jobs have also evolved, and many people don’t feel the need to take this route anymore. These are 18 reasons why no one is interested in working anymore.
18 Reasons Why No One Is Interested in Working Anymore
17 States Americans No Longer Want to Live In
America is constantly changing, and within it, so are its states. Some have new laws that residents don’t agree with, while others have increasing rates of unemployment or areas of extreme poverty. These aspects make it difficult for a person to stay in their home state. Here are 17 states that Americans are deciding to reconsider.
17 States Americans No Longer Want to Live In
18 Adult Traits That Are Frequently Traced Back to Difficult Childhoods
If an adult had a difficult childhood, they’re more likely to display some traits that those with a more stable upbringing might not develop. In this article, you’ll discover 18 of those traits.
18 Adult Traits That Are Frequently Traced Back to Difficult Childhoods
17 Most Friendly Wild Animals in the World
Are you an animal lover looking to learn more about the curious creatures that inhabit our planet alongside us? Discover the amicable side of the animal kingdom. Meet 17 of the world’s most sociable wild animals, from playful sea creatures to gentle land mammals.
17 Most Friendly Wild Animals in the World
17 Phrases Confident People Use to Stand Up For Themselves
Confidence is a healthy and attractive trait that helps us stand firm in our values and set healthy boundaries. We can always become more confident, and learning the right ways to stand up for yourself is a great way to start. Here are 17 phrases you can use to do so.