Does your last name make the list?
The Most Common Last Names in Your State
How common is your last name, really? Ancestry.com did some research and broke down the top three most common last names in every U.S. state—and the results might surprise you. The top three last names in the entire U.S. are Smith, Johnson, and Williams, in that order. Does your last name make your state’s top three most common last names list? Don’t miss these 50 astonishing facts you never knew about each state.
Alabama
This southeastern state’s top three most common last names are also the top three in the entire country. Johnson is the third most common, Williams is the second most common, and Smith takes the gold for the most common last name in the Yellowhammer state.
Alaska
The largest U.S. state also shares their top three most common last names with the rest of the country. The third most common is Williams, the second most common is Johnson, and the most common is Smith in Alaska. It’s also the only U.S. state whose name can be typed on just one row of keys—not to mention, the state will pay you $1,000 a year to move there! Yes, really.
Arizona
This southwestern state is home to the Grand Canyon—and these three last names. The third most common is Garcia, which is only in the top three lists of four other states. The runner-up is Johnson and Smith, once again, is the most common last name in Arizona.
Arkansas
We’re sensing a pattern here. Arkansas shares the same names in the same order as Alabama. The third most common is Johnson, Williams is in second, and the most common last name is Smith. There’s only one letter that’s not in any U.S. state name. Can you guess it?
California
Sunny California’s most common last names are rebellious when compared with the rest of the country. The third most common is Lopez and the second most common is Hernandez—both names don’t appear as the most common in any other U.S. state. The most common last name in California is Garcia.
Colorado
The Centennial State’s third most common last name, Martinez, is only shared by two other states. Johnson takes second places and Smith is the most common in this western state.
Connecticut
It’s not uncommon for Nutmeggers to have Brown as their last name, which is the third most common in the state. The second most common is Johnson and Smith takes first place in the Constitution State. There’s a good chance no one outside of your state will understand these slang words.
Delaware
As it turns out, Delaware and Connecticut have something in common: they share their top three most common last names in the same exact order. The third most common is Brown, the second most common is Johnson, and the most common is Smith.
Florida
Palm trees, Disney, and a whole lot of Smiths. Florida’s third most common last name is Johnson, its second most common is Williams, and the most common last name in the Sunshine State is Smith. These are the best state fairs in all 50 states.
Georgia
Just like Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida, the Peach State’s third most common last name is Johnson, with Williams in second place, and Smith coming in first.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s top three most common last names are different than any other U.S. state. The third most common last name is Kim, the second most common is Wong, and the first most common is Lee. Unsurprisingly, Hawaii is also one of the happiest states in America.
Idaho
This northwestern state shares the two most common last names with the rest of the U.S. and one is only in seven other states’ top three. The third most common last name in the Gem State is Anderson, the second is Johnson, and the first is Smith.
Illinois
Welcome to Midwestern America, where Illinois’ third most common last name is Williams, second most common is Johnson, and first most common is Smith.
Indiana
The Hoosier State might be best known for its farmland, but it’s now also known as having these top three last names. The third most common is Johnson, the second most common is Miller, which is only a top last name in seven other states, and the first most common is Smith.
Iowa
While we’re still in the Midwest, let’s talk about the Hawkeye State’s most common last names. Johnson is in third, Williams is in second, and Smith wins as the most common last name in Iowa. You won’t believe these dumb laws in each state.
Kansas
The Sunflower State’s third most common last name, Miller, joins only seven other states’ top lists. Johnson is the second most common and Smith is the first most common.
Kentucky
Down in this southeastern state, the third most common last name is Jones, which joins only four other states’ top lists. The second most common is Johnson and the first most common is Smith.
Louisiana
Louisiana has tons of nicknames, but the one thing that they can decide on is a common last name, apparently. The third most common last name is Johnson, the second most is Smith, and Williams is in first place.
Maine
The northeasternmost U.S. state’s third most common last name is Johnson. The second most common is Brown, which ranks in the top three of only seven other states, and the first most common is Smith. You’ll definitely want to check out the best free tourist attractions in every state.
Maryland
Besides having copious amounts of waterways and tons of coastlines, Maryland is one of four states that has Jones as one of its most common last names. Jones is in third place, Johnson is in second, and Smith takes the cake.
Massachusetts
The largest reported ancestry in Massachusetts is Irish, so it makes sense that Sullivan is their third most common last name. Johnson is the second most common and Smith is the first most common.
Michigan
The Great Lake State’s three most common last names join the rest of the majority of U.S. states. Williams is the third most common, Johnson is the second, and Smith is the first.
Minnesota
Not only does Minnesota have over 10,000 lakes, it also has these top three most common last names. Nelson, which is only in the top three most common list of Minnesota, is the third most common. Anderson is the second most common, and Johnson is the first most common. These are the 50 best family travel destinations in every state.
Mississippi
Now that we finally know how to spell Mississippi, here are their top three most common last names. Johnson is the third most common, Williams is the second most common, and Smith is the first most common.
Missouri
The Show-Me State’s third most common last name is Williams, its second most common is Johnson, and its first most common is Smith.
Montana
This Western state has Anderson as the third most common last name, with Johnson in second, and Smith in first.
Nebraska
The Cornhusker State spices things up with Miller as its third most common last name, one of eight states with it as the top most common. Smith is the second most common and Johnson is the first.
Nevada
Whether you call it the Silver State, the Battle Born State, or the Sagebrush State, three things Nevada can decide on is having these three common last names. The third most common last name is Garcia, Johnson is the second most common, and Smith is the first.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire joins the rest of the majority of the U.S. with its third most common last name being Johnson, its second most common being Brown, and its first most common being Smith.
New Jersey
The Garden State is home to these top three most common last names: Johnson is the third most common, Williams is the second most common, and Smith is the first most common.
New Mexico
In this southwestern state, you’ll find Johnson being the third most common last name, Williams being the second most common, and Smith being the first. These world records from every state will blow your mind.
New York
It’s not too unusual to come across a New Yorker with one of these three common last names. The third most common is Brown, the second most common is Williams, and Smith takes the cake once again for being the first most common.
North Carolina
Whether you want the enjoy its coastal Atlantic beaches or its Southern hospitality, you’ll find that North Carolina’s residents typically have Johnson, Williams, or Smith as last names (in order from third most common to first). These are the best ice cream shops in every state—you can thank us later.
North Dakota
North Dakota is the only state with Olson has one of their top three most common last names. Olson is the third most common, Anderson is the second most common, and Johnson is the first most common—with no Smith in sight, surprisingly.
Ohio
This Midwestern state, sometimes known as the Buckeye State, is home to residents whose last names are most commonly Johnson, the third most common, Miller, the second most common, and Smith, the first most common. These are the most popular craft beers from each state.
Oklahoma
As it turns out, Oklahomans tend to share Williams as the third most common last name, Johnson as the second most common last name, and Smith as the first most common last name.
Oregon
Regardless of whether you’re traveling to Oregon or you’re a resident, there’s a good chance you’ll run into someone (or even yourself) who has one of these three last names. Miller is the third most common, Johnson is the second most common, and Smith is the first most common. This is how each state ranks in healthcare.
Pennslyvania
The Keystone State, the Oil State, the Quaker State—you get the idea. The third most common last name in Pennslyvania is Williams, the second most common is Miller, and the first most common is Smith.
Rhode Island
Ah, The Ocean State—home to historic Colonial towns and gorgeous ocean views. Here, you’ll find that the third most common last name is Johnson, the second most common last name is Brown, and the first most common name is Smith. These are the most difficult-to-pronounce towns in every state.
South Carolina
Subtropical beaches? Yes, please! In the Palmetto State, the third most common last name is Brown, the second most common is Williams, and the first most common is Smith.
South Dakota
In this Midwestern U.S. state, Smith takes a couple steps back and is the third most common last name. The second most common last name is Anderson, and the first most common is Johnson.
Tennessee
Another one of the four states with Jones in the top three common last names, Tennessee’s most common last name rankings are Jones in third, Johnson in second, and Smith in first. These are the most bike-friendly cities in every state.
Texas
It looks like the Lone Star State wasn’t about to follow the crowd. The third most common last name is Martinez, the second most common is Smith and the first most common is Garcia.
Utah
Anderson is only listed as one of the top three most common last names in eight states, and Utah is one of them. Anderson is the third most common last name, Johnson is second, and Smith is first.
Vermont
Forest-filled Vermont’s residents’ last names are primarily Johnson, Brown, and Smith, with Johnson as the third most popular, Brown a the second, and Smith as the first. Did you know Vermont’s state capital is the only one in the U.S. without a single McDonald’s?
Virginia
Alas, the last of the four states with Jones in its top three most common last names list. In Virginia, the third most common last name is Jones, the second most common is Johnson, and the first most common is Smith. We bet you didn’t know it’s also actually illegal to swear in public in Virginia.
Washington
We’re sensing some deja vu here in Washington. The third most common last name is Anderson, the second most common is Johnson, and the first is Smith.
West Virginia
“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…” Yes, up next is West Virginia. In the Mountain State, the third most common last name is Johnson, the second most common is Miller, and the first is Smith.
Wisconsin
America’s Dairyland’s most common last names are Johnson, Miller, and Smith. Smith is in third, Miller is in second, and Johnson is in first.
Wyoming
Last but not least, Wyoming’s residents in the wild, wild west’s most common last names are Miller as the third most common, Johnson as the second most common, and Smith as the first most common. Did you know there are only two escalators in the entire state of Wyoming? Here’s why.