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.
81. REYES
Population Count: 232,511From the Old French "rey," meaning king, Reyes was often bestowed as a nickname for a man who carried himself in a regal, or kingly, fashion.
82. CRUZ
Population Count: 231,065One who lived near a place where a cross was erected, or near a crossroads or interection.
83. HUGHES
Population Count: 229,390A patronymic surname meaning "son of Hugh." The given name Hugh is a Germanic name meaning "heart/mind."
84. PRICE
Population Count: 228,756A patronymic name derived from the Welsh "ap Rhys," meaning "son of Rhys."
85. MYERS
Population Count: 224,824This popular last name may be of German or English origin, with variant meanings. The German form means "steward or baliff," as in the magistrate of a city or town.
86. LONG
Population Count: 223,494A nickname often give to a man who was especially tall and lanky.
87. FOSTER
Population Count: 221,040Possible origins for this surname include one who fostered children or was a foster child; a forester; or a shearer or scissors maker.
88. SANDERS
Population Count: 220,902A patronymic surname derived from the given name "Sander," a medieval form of "Alexander."
89. ROSS
Population Count: 219,961The Ross surname has Gaelic origins and, depending upon the origin of the family, could have several different meanings. The most common is believed to be someone who lived on or near a headland or moor.
90. MORALES
Population Count: 217,642"Son of Moral," a given name meaning "right and proper." Alternatively, this Spanish and Portuguese surname may mean one who lived near a mulberry or blackberry bush.
