America is a land of many people, faiths, and cultures. It is a nation built by immigrants from every corner of the world and Indigenous peoples. Americans are considered courageous, hard-working, ambitious, and loyal, and our list of the most popular American last names and their meanings is filled with examples of America’s diversity and spirit.
What are American Last Names?
Common characteristics found throughout American last names include names for jobs held by ancestors and geographic last names referring to ancestral homelands. American last names give the impression that one is independent and not afraid of forging their path in a new environment. A quality of American surnames is their uniqueness from cultures mixing and developing through the centuries. Such developments helped make American last names different from others around the globe, as older surnames were preserved and newer ones were created.
The roots of American last names run deep through American and international history, and for Indigenous surnames, ancient languages and cultural ideas are very much present. Our researchers have read through records from every state in the Union to create our comprehensive list of the most common American last names.
Top 100 American Last Names
This list of the most common American last names and meanings is filled with style and strength. You’ll find surnames from far-reaching cultures and communities in this list of surnames that give a snapshot of America’s diversity.
- Smith – Worker in metal
- Johnson – Son of John
- Williams – Son of William
- Brown – Person with brown hair or complexion
- Jones – John’s son
- Garcia – Bear or young warrior
- Miller – Grinder of grain
- Davis – Son of David
- Rodriguez – Son of Rodrigo
- Martinez – Son of Martin
- Hernandez – Son of Hernando
- Lopez – Son of Lope
- Gonzalez – Son of Gonzalo
- Wilson – Son of Will
- Anderson – Son of Anders or Andrew
- Thomas – Twin
- Taylor – Tailor
- Moore – Marsh or bog
- Jackson – Son of Jack
- Martin – Warlike or Mars (god of war)
- Lee – Meadow or forest clearing
- Perez – Son of Pedro
- Thompson – Son of Thom or Thomas
- White – Person with fair hair or complexion
- Harris – Son of Harry
- Sanchez – Son of Sancho
- Clark – Clerk or scholar
- Ramirez – Son of Ramiro
- Lewis – Renowned warrior
- Robinson – Son of Robin
- Walker – Fuller of cloth
- Young – Young or junior
- Allen – Little rock or harmonious
- King – Leader or monarch
- Wright – Craftsman or builder
- Scott – From Scotland
- Torres – Towers
- Nguyen – Original or first
- Hill – Near a hill
- Flores – Flowers
- Green – Young or fresh growth
- Adams – Son of Adam
- Nelson – Son of Neil
- Baker – Baker
- Hall – Someone who lived in or worked in a hall
- Rivera – Riverbank
- Campbell – Crooked mouth
- Mitchell – Who is like God?
- Carter – Transporter of goods by cart
- Roberts – Son of Robert
- Gomez – Man
- Phillips – Lover of horses
- Evans – Son of Evan
- Turner – Lathe worker
- Diaz – Days
- Parker – Park keeper
- Cruz – Cross
- Edwards – Wealthy guardian
- Collins – Young dog or wolf
- Reyes – Kings
- Stewart – Steward
- Morris – Dark-skinned or Moorish
- Morales – Blackberry or mulberry grove
- Murphy – Sea warrior
- Cook – Cook
- Rogers – Famous spear
- Gutierrez – Son of Gutierre
- Ortiz – Son of Orti
- Morgan – Sea circle
- Cooper – Barrel maker
- Peterson – Son of Peter
- Bailey – Steward or public official
- Reed – Red-haired or ruddy complexion
- Kelly – Warrior
- Howard – High guardian or chief warden
- Ramos – Branches
- Kim – Gold
- Cox – Rook or cockerel
- Ward – Guard or watchman
- Richardson – Son of Richard
- Watson – Son of Walter
- Brooks – Near a stream
- Chavez – Keys
- Wood – Forest
- James – Supplanter
- Bennett – Blessed
- Gray – Gray-haired or gray-eyed
- Mendoza – Cold mountain
- Ruiz – Son of Rui
- Hughes – Mind, spirit or son of Hugh
- Price – Son of Rhys
- Alvarez – Son of Alvaro
- Castillo – Castle
- Sanders – Son of Alexander
- Patel – Landowner
- Myers – Steward
- Long – Tall
- Ross – Horse or headland
- Foster – Forest worker
- Jimenez – Son of Jimeno
See Top 5,000 American Last Names
Unique American Last Names
Unique American last names have distinctive origins, combining elements from various cultures, regions, and languages to create one-of-a-kind surnames. These names are a fascinating reflection of America’s diverse cultural tapestry.
- Axton – Sword stone
- Bauer – Farmer or builder
- Blakely – Dark meadow or clearing
- Boston – Botwulf’s stone
- Bowman – Archer
- Brewster – Brewer
- Brinkley – Burnt clearing
- Buck – Male deer
- Carrington – One who cames from Carrington, England
- Carver – Wood carver or sculptor
- Cash – Case maker
- Cassidy – Curly-headed
- Chance – Good fortune
- Chase – Hunter
- Dallas – Meadow dwelling
- Dawson – Son of David
- Deacon – Servant or messenger
- Delaney – Descendant of the challenger or thin man
- Dodge – Roger
- Duke – Leader or noble title
- Dutch – From the Netherlands
- Eagle – Bird of prey
- Easton – East town
- Eden – Delight or place of pleasure
- Electra – Shining or amber
- Falcon – Bird of prey
- Fox – Fox
- Gunner – Warrior
- Harper – Harp player
- Hart – Stag
- Hawk – Bird of prey
- Hawke – Bird of prey
- Hendrix – Son of Hendrick or Henry
- Holland – Wooded land
- Houston – Hugh’s town
- Hudson – Son of Hudde
- Hunt – Pursuit
- Hunter – One who hunts
- Huntley – Hunter’s clearing
- Huxley – Hugh’s clearing
- Jensen – Son of Jens
- Jolie – Pretty
- Judge – To judge or decide
- Justice – Righteousness
- Kennedy – Helmeted head
- Knight – Warrior or servant
- Knightley – Knight’s meadow
- Lawson – Son of Lawrence
- Lincoln – Lake colony
- Mackenzie – Son of Kenneth
- Madden – Little dog
- Maddox – Son of Madoc
- Madison – Son of Maud
- Marshall – Horse servant
- McCoy – Fire
- McKenzie – Son of Kenneth
- Mclaine – Servant
- Mcpherson – Son of Parson
- Mercer – Merchant
- Oakley – Oak clearing
- Palmer – Pilgrim
- Porter – Gatekeeper
- Quinn – Wise
- Raleigh – Red clearing
- Raya – Banner
- Reagan – Little king
- Ridge – Ridge or backbone
- Ripley – Strip clearing
- Rivers – Of the river
- Rock – Rock or stone
- Ryder – Mounted warrior
- Saxon – Sword
- Saylor – Dancer
- Shepard – Shepherd
- Sierra – Mountain range
- Sinclair – Clear or bright
- Steele – Steel
- Sterling – Little star
- Stetson – Stephen’s son
- Storm – Tempest
- Strauss – Bouquet
- Stryker – Tester
- Teigen – Attractive
- Troy – Curly-haired
- Truman – True man
- Ventura – Good fortune
- Wesson – West town
- Weston – West town
- Wilde – Wild or untamed
- Wilder – Wild
- Willoughby – Willow farm
- Winter – Winter
- Wolf – Wolf
- Wylie – Beguiling or cunning
See more Unique American Last Names
Cute American Last Names
Cute American last names have endearing and whimsical elements, evoking charm and warmth. These name add a touch of sweetness to American surnames.
- Archer – Bowman
- Ashby – Ash tree settlement
- Asher – Fortunate, blessed
- Ashton – Ash tree town
- Beckett – Beehive or brook
- Benedict – Blessed
- Benjamin – Son of the right hand
- Bexley – Box tree clearing
- Blake – Dark or pale
- Boone – Good
- Brady – Broad island
- Byron – At the byres or barns
- Carson – Son of Carr
- Casey – Vigilant or watchful
- Chandler – Candle maker
- Christian – Follower of Christ
- Clancy – Red warrior
- Cody – Helpful
- Cohen – Priest
- Courtland – Court’s land
- Cruise – Cross
- Dalton – Valley settlement
- Dayton – Bright and sunny town
- Elliot – Jehovah is God
- Everett – Brave as a wild boar
- Everly – Wild boar clearing
- Finley – Fair-haired hero
- Gables – Roofed structure
- Gabriel – God is my strength
- Grady – Noble
- Grayson – Son of the gray-haired one
- Greyson – Son of the gray-haired one
- Harley – Hare meadow
- Harrison – Son of Harry
- Harvey – Battle worthy
- Isaac – He will laugh
- Jacobs – Son of Jacob
- Jameson – Son of James
- Jett – Black gem
- Kendall – Valley of the river Kent
- Kensington – The town of Cynsige’s people
- Kingsley – King’s meadow
- Kinsley – King’s meadow
- Lane – Narrow road
- Laney – Narrow road
- Larson – Son of Lars
- Laurent – From the place of laurel trees
- Marin – Of the sea
- Maya – Illusion or magic
- Mckinley – Son of the fair hero
- Moses – Drawn out of the water
- Oakes – Near the oak trees
- Paisley – Church
- Peyton – Warrior’s estate
- Phoenix – Dark red
- Reece – Ardor or heat of passion
- Rhodes – Where roses grow
- Riley – Rye clearing
- Rose – Rose
- Ruby – Red gemstone
- Santiago – Saint James
- Shepherd – Sheep herder
- Sloan – Raider
- Snow – Snow
- Solomon – Peace
- Tinsley – Tynni’s meadow
- Waverly – Quaking aspen tree clearing
- Wells – Springs
- Winters – Of the winter
- Yorke – From the yew tree estate
See more Cute American Last Names
Cool American Last Names
Cool American last names exude a sense of style, individuality, and sometimes, an air of mystery. These names will add a dash of swagger to your choice of surname.
- Axelrod – Axe’s rod
- Benz – Short form of Benedict, meaning blessed
- Bolt – Lightning or metal fastener
- Calvary – Place of the skull
- Cannon – Clergyman or large gun
- Carrera – Race or career
- Cortez – Courteous or polite
- Courtney – From the court
- Decker – Roofer
- Diesel – People’s zeal
- Fitz – Son of
- Gable – Triangular part of a wall
- Gage – Pledge or measure
- Gallant – Brave or noble
- Gamble – Old
- Garrison – Troop station
- Gates – Gateway or entrance
- Gatlin – Little battle
- Gunn – Battle or war
- Hamilton – Treeless hill
- Harlow – Rock hill or army hill
- Hartley – Stag meadow
- Holden – Deep valley
- Hollister – Bag maker
- Hooper – Maker of hoops
- Hopper – Hopper or dancer
- Irons – Iron
- Knox – Round-top hill
- Larue – The street
- Lawless – Lawless or unruly
- Lexington – Town of the new law
- Locke – Enclosed place
- Lombardi – Person from Lombardy
- Lorde – Lord
- Maccoy – Fire
- Maclaine – Son of the servant of John
- Maddison – Matthew’s son
- Maverick – Independent
- Mcclain – Son of the servant of John
- McLaren – Son of Laren
- Noble – Noble
- North – North
- Paradis – Paradise
- Powers – Power
- Ram – Ram
- Ransom – Son of Rand
- Remington – Raven’s estate
- Rider – Horseman
- Roman – From Rome
- Ryker – Strong power
- Salinger – Room maker
- Salvador – Savior
- Samson – Sun
- Santana – Saint Ana
- Sherman – Shear man
- Slade – Valley
- Solace – Comfort
- Steel – Steel
- Stirling – Genuine, high quality
- Teague – Poet or philosopher
- Tripp – Traveler
- Tucker – Tucker or fuller
- Vasco – Crow
- Vegas – Meadows
- Westin – Western town
- Wild – Wild or undomesticated
- Willis – Son of Will
- Wolfe – Wolf
- Xavier – New house
See more Cool American Last Names
Uncommon American Last Names
Uncommon American last names offer a sense of individuality and heritage in a nation known for its diversity. These surnames are less prevalent, making them stand out in a crowd.
- Avery – Elf counsel
- Barclay – Birch tree clearing
- Beckham – Homestead by the stream
- Booker – Beech tree or book binder
- Bowie – Yellow-haired
- Bronson – Brown’s son
- Cagney – Tribute
- Cantrell – High rocky land
- Chester – Fortress, camp
- Church – Near the church
- Clements – Merciful, mild
- Cleveland – Cliff land
- Colby – Dark village or coal town
- Compton – Valley town
- Costa – Coast or rib
- Daugherty – Destroyer
- Delarosa – Of the rose
- Duff – Dark-skinned
- Edgar – Wealthy spear
- Flint – Flintstone or stream
- Fontana – Fountain or spring
- Gleason – Little valley
- Goddard – God-hard
- Hackett – Little hewer or cutter
- Hurley – Sea tide
- Ireland – From Ireland
- Israel – He who wrestles with God
- Jenson – Son of Jens
- Keaton – Where hawks fly
- Kenyon – White haired
- Lennon – Little cloak or cape
- London – From London
- Major – Greater
- Montez – Mountain
- Nixon – Nick’s son
- Orlando – Famous throughout the land
- Peace – Peace
- Presley – Priest’s meadow
- Quinlan – Descendant of Caoinlean
- Quintana – Fifth
- Richmond – Strong protector
- Ridley – Reed meadow
- Rockwell – Rocky spring
- Rush – Rush plants
- Sargent – To serve
- Saxton – Saxon town
- Sheldon – Steep-sided valley
- Sheppard – Sheep herder
- Slater – Slate worker
- Sommer – Summer
- Temple – Near a temple
- Thurman – Thor’s protection
- Travis – Crossing or toll gate
- Urban – From the city
- Vail – Valley
- Vitale – Life
- Wesley – Western meadow
- Wills – Desire and helmet
- Winchester – Roman fort
See more Uncommon American Last Names
Rare American Last Names
These American last names are hidden gems. They’re not often encountered, making them intriguing and distinctive. Preserving these ancestral names is a way to honor the country’s heritage and the enduring legacies of those who came before.
- Ambrose – Immortal
- Ames – Friend
- Bellamy – Fine friend
- Braxton – Brock’s town
- Broderick – Broad ridge
- Buford – Ford by the castle
- Calloway – Pebble place
- Caradoc – Love
- Carlisle – From the protected tower
- Charlton – Free peasant’s settlement
- Clement – Gentle and merciful
- Colson – Son of Nicholas
- Coltrane – Young horse
- Conway – Holy river; hound of the plain
- Cordero – Lamb
- Coulter – Dove
- Courtier – Court attendant
- Devine – Ox
- Easter – Born at Easter
- Edison – Son of Edward
- Ellington – Town of Ella’s people
- Ewing – Little lamb
- Falconer – Falcon trainer
- Fallon – Descendant of Fallamhan; leader
- Fawkes – Falcon
- Fleetwood – Woods by a stream
- Fortune – Luck or fortune
- Gatsby – Left-handed
- Halen – Hall
- Harlan – Hare land
- Heathcliff – Heath near a cliff
- Heinrich – Home ruler
- Holbrook – Brook in the hollow
- Jacoby – Supplanter
- Jaeger – Hunter
- Keane – Fighter or sharp
- Kerrigan – Little dark one
- Killian – Little church or strife
- Kimball – Chief’s fortress
- Kincaid – Battle leader
- Lafayette – Faith
- Lawton – Hill town
- Lively – Life
- Marlowe – Drained lake
- Martell – Hammer
- Merton – Lake town
- Milton – Mill town
- Osbourne – God’s bear
- Patten – Noble
- Peregrine – Traveler
- Prescott – Priest’s cottage
- Ralston – Ralph’s town
- Redford – Red river crossing
- Reinhart – Strong judgment
- Roosevelt – Field of roses
- Rourke – Champion
- Rousseau – Red-haired
- Sadler – Saddle maker
- Sage – Wise one
- Salisbury – Dry town
- Satchel – Small bag
- Shanahan – Old
- Sherwin – Bright friend
- Stockton – Tree stump town
- Tennyson – Son of Dennis
- Thatcher – Roof thatcher
- Thayer – Nation’s army
- Theron – Hunter
- Thoreau – Thor’s stone
- Thorpe – Village or hamlet
- Tolliver – Metal worker or toiler
- Torrance – From the low hills
- Truett – Honest
- Tudor – Ruler of the people
- Twain – Divided in two
- Upton – Higher settlement
- Warwick – Dairy farm by the river
- Winslet – Wynn’s channel
- Winslow – Friend’s hill
- Winthrop – Friendly village
- Zane – God is gracious
See more Rare American Last Names
Old American Last Names
These Old American last names can be traced back to the early settlers and pioneers who shaped the nation. These surnames often reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of America’s founding generations, including English, German, Dutch, and other influences.
- Abel – Breath or vanity
- Albert – Noble and bright
- Amos – Bearer of burdens
- Barton – Barley settlement
- Bertrand – Bright raven
- Bradford – Broad ford
- Brock – Badger
- Bruce – From the town of Bruis
- Burrell – Small fort
- Carlton – Free peasants’ settlement
- Clayton – Clay settlement
- Coleman – Dove
- Cosgrove – Victorious champion
- Crane – Crane bird
- Dewey – Beloved
- Dixon – Son of Dick
- Draper – Cloth merchant
- Elliott – Jehovah is God
- Elmore – Elm tree moor
- Felix – Lucky or successful
- Francis – Free man
- Franklin – Free landowner
- Frederick – Peaceful ruler
- Freeman – Free man
- Grace – Grace of God
- Griffin – Strong in faith
- Harmon – Warrior or soldier
- Hayden – Heathen or hedged valley
- Hilliard – Warrior or brave person
- Hilton – Hill settlement
- Hoyt – Stick or measure of land
- Irving – Green river or sea friend
- Jarrett – Spear strength
- Jarvis – Spear servant
- Jefferson – Son of Jeffrey
- Jonas – Dove or peaceful being
- Kendrick – Chief or royal ruler
- Kinsey – King’s victory
- Kirk – Church
- Langston – Long stone
- Lawrence – From Laurentum
- Leonard – Brave lion
- Lyle – Island
- Maguire – Son of the brown-haired
- Maxwell – Maccus’ stream
- Maynard – Brave strength
- Meyer – Mayor
- Morton – Moor town
- Neville – New town
- Newton – New town
- Norris – Northerner
- Ogden – Oak valley
- Olson – Son of Ole
- Oswald – Divine power
- Otto – Wealth
- Peoples – Of the people
- Pierce – Rock
- Preston – Priest’s town
- Randall – Wolf shield
- Rizzo – Curly
- Sherwood – Bright forest
- Shipman – Sailor or mariner
- Stanley – Stony meadow
- Sullivan – Dark-eyed
- Thornton – Thorny enclosure
- Thurston – Thor’s stone
- Tillman – One who ploughs
- Tobias – God is good
- Vincent – Conquering
- Wade – River crossing
- Wallace – Foreigner or stranger
- Walter – Army ruler
- Walton – Walled town
- Warren – Game preserve
- Wheeler – Wheel maker
- Whitman – White man
- Whitney – White island
- Wilkes – Son of Wilkin
- Winston – Joy stone
- Wyatt – Little warrior
- York – Wild boar settlement
See more Old American Last Names
More Lists:
Famous People with American Last Names
Willard Carroll Smith Jr., known professionally as Will Smith, is an American actor and rapper. As a last name, Smith has origins linking it to the blacksmith trade. Smith is the most common last name in the United States and almost every English-speaking country and has been for a long time — much like Will Smith’s career, which has spanned decades.
Tommy Lee Jones is an American actor and film director. Jones is the fifth most common last name in the United States and derives from a Welsh naming tradition that describes someone as the son of John. While Tommy Lee Jones is known to have some Cherokee lineage, he also has ancestry from the British Isles — making his name Jones even more interesting.
Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th president of the United States. Johnson is the second most common name in the country, and it is a name of Anglo-Norman origins that, more clearly than Jones, describes the son of John. LBJ, with this common, strong, and humble name, came to be known as one of the few presidents who served in all elected offices at the federal level.
Tennessee Williams, born Thomas Lanier Williams III, was an American playwright and screenwriter, with one of his prominent works being A Streetcar Named Desire. Williams is the third most common name in the United States. While Williams as a name has Welsh origins, in the United States, it is most common among African Americans.
John Brown was a Black activist who reached national prominence for his radical abolitionist stance in North America in the 19th century. Brown is the fourth most common last name in the US. The origins of the surname Brown are disputed; it’s believed to be from English, Norse, or French words for Brown.
References
Information from Listophile’s article on the Top 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the United States in which we collected and published information on American surnames was used in the collection this data. If you want to learn more about American surnames, Wikipedia has an article on the most common surnames in North America.
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