Smith, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Brown... Are you one of the millions of Americans sporting one of these top 100 common last names from the 2000 census? The following list of the most commonly occurring surnames in America includes details on each name's origin and meaning. It's interesting to note, that since 1990, the only other time this surname report has been compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, two Hispanic surnames -- Garcia and Rodriguez -- have risen into the top 10.
11. MARTINEZ
Population Count: 775,072Yet another patronymic surname (because they are derived from common first names, these types of surnames are generally the most common), Martinez generally means "son of Martin."
12. ANDERSON
Population Count: 762,394As it sounds, Anderson is generally a patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew."
13. TAYLOR
Population Count: 720,370An English occupational name for a tailor, from Old French "tailleur" for "tailor" which comes from the Latin "taliare," meaning "to cut."
14. THOMAS
Population Count: 710,696Derived from a popular medieval first name, THOMAS comes from an Aramaic term for "twin."
15. HERNANDEZ
Population Count: 706,372"Son of Hernando" or "Son of Fernando."
16. MOORE
Population Count: 698,671The surname Moore and its derivations has many possible origins, including one who lived at or near a moor, or a dark-complexioned man.
17. MARTIN
Population Count: 672,711Patronymic surname taken from the ancient Latin given name Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war.
18. JACKSON
Population Count: 666,125A patronymic name meaning "son of Jack."
19. THOMPSON
Population Count: 644,368Son of the man known as Thom, Thomp, Thompkin, or other diminutive form of Thomas, a given name meaning "twin."
20. WHITE
Population Count: 639,515Generally a surname originally used to describe someone with very light hair or complexion.
