Most Common Last Names in the US

America is commonly referred to as a "mixing pot", and this truth is recognizable through the variety of last names that fill the phone books of American cities. People of various nationalities and ethnic groups from across the globe have emigrated to America in search of a better lifestyle and greater opportunities for their descendants. The names of America are an eternal tribute to the dreams of these immigrants.

Geography's influences

The original 13 states of America primarily consisted of English immigrants or descendants of English immigrants. The Puritans settled in Massachusetts, criminals and debtors were sent to settle in Georgia, and in between a variety of landowners, religious groups, and hatchling industries were learning to thrive as an independent union. On the southern border of Georgia the Spanish colony of Florida experienced constant interior warfare with the native Seminole tribes. West of the Colonies lay the rugged terrain of the French-owned Louisiana Territory. Each of these disparate groups contributed to the mixed bag of American surnames.

The names of America

John Smith is not just a name used in the story of Pocahontas; it is also a name that is found written on the inside of thousands of timeworn family bibles. The surnames of Smith, Jones and Johnson are common throughout America. These English names remain on the top of the list of America's most common surnames; representing the settlement of the original 13 colonies. Eight of the 10 most common names in America are English in origin, but the eighth and ninth names, respectively, are Garcia and Rodriguez. These Spanish-based names represent the burgeoning population of people of Hispanic descent in America's population.

The names of America, consistently English for the past 200 years, are changing as Hispanic and other minority groups in America are beginning to gain in population and representation. The United States is still very much the melting pot of the world.