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.
31. YOUNG
Population Count: 465,948Derived from the Old English word "geong," meaning "young."
32. ALLEN
Population Count: 465,948From "aluinn," meaning fair or handsome.
33. SANCHEZ
Population Count: 441,242A patronymic derived from the given name Sancho, meaning "sanctified."
34. WRIGHT
Population Count: 440,367An occupational name meaning "craftsman, builder," from the Old English "wryhta" meaning "worker."
35. KING
Population Count: 438,986From the Old English "cyning," originally meaning "tribal leader," this nickname was commonly bestowed on a man who carried himself like royalty, or who played the part of the king in a medieval pageant.
36. SCOTT
Population Count: 420,091An ethnic or geographical name signifying a native from Scotland or a person who spoke Gaelic.
37. GREEN
Population Count: 413,477Often refers to one who dwelled at or near the village green, or other similar area of grassy ground.
38. BAKER
Population Count: 413,351An occupational name which originated in medieval times from the name of the trade, baker.
39. ADAMS
Population Count: 413,086This surname is of uncertain etymology, but is often considered to derive from the Hebrew personal name Adam which was borne, according to Genesis, by the first man.
40. NELSON
Population Count: 412,236A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nell," a form of the Irish name Neal which means "champion."
