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Common US Surnames & Their Meanings
Surname Ranks from the 2000 U.S. Census

By , About.com Guide

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.

71. WARD

Population Count: 254,121
An occupational name for a "guard or watchman," from Old English "weard" = guard.

72. COX

Population Count: 253,771
Often considered to be a form of COCK (little), a common term of endearment.

73. DIAZ

Population Count: 251,772
The Spanish surname DIAZ comes from the Latin "dies" which means "days." Also believed to have early Jewish origins.

74. RICHARDSON

Population Count: 249,533
Like RICHARDS, Richardson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Richard." The given name Richard means "powerful and brave."

75. WOOD

Population Count: 247,299
Originally used to describe a person who lived in or worked in a wood or forest. Derived from Middle English "wode."

76. WATSON

Population Count: 242,432
A patronymic surname meaning "son of Watt," a pet form of the name Walter, meaning "ruler of the army."

77. BROOKS

Population Count: 240,751
There are many origins for this English surname, but most revolve around a "brook," or a small stream.

78. BENNETT

Population Count: 239,055
From the medieval given name Benedict, originating from the Latin "benedictus" meaning "blessed."

79. GRAY

Population Count: 236,713
Nickname for a man with gray hair, or a gray beard, from Old English groeg, meaning grey.

80. JAMES

Population Count: 233,224
Patronymic name derived from "Jacob" and usually meaning "son of Jacob."
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