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What are the most popular English surnames?

Published in Surnames & Names 1 min read

The most popular English surnames are Smith, Jones, Williams, and Brown.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the most common surnames in England and the USA, based on available data:

Top Surnames in England

Rank Surname
1 Smith
2 Jones
3 Williams
4 Brown

Top Surnames in the USA

Rank Surname
1 Smith
2 Johnson
3 Williams
4 Brown

It's interesting to note that while Smith is the most common surname in both England and the USA, there are variations in the subsequent rankings. Jones is the second most common surname in England, whereas Johnson holds the second position in the United States. This reflects different patterns of immigration and historical developments in each country. These surnames often have occupational or descriptive origins, such as Smith deriving from a blacksmith and Brown referring to someone with brown hair or complexion.

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