America’s Most Common Surnames From 1790 to 2010

How much of America’s earliest population is still reflected in the names we see today?

In our previous article, we explored the surnames recorded in the first U.S. Federal Census of 1790 and the families who shaped early America. Building on that foundation, the MyHeritage Research team compared those early census names with surnames from the most recent census with publicly available surname data, conducted in 2010. The results offer a unique perspective on how the United States has evolved over more than two centuries, and reveal both remarkable continuity and significant change.

The top 20 names in the United States: then and now

A surprising level of continuity

One of the most striking findings is just how many early surnames have endured.

Of the top 20 surnames recorded in 1790, 11 remained in the top 20 more than 220 years later, according to the 2010 census. This staying power reflects the strong demographic foundation established early in the nation’s history.

At the top of the list, one name stands apart: Smith was the most common surname in America in 1790, representing roughly 33,000 people. By 2010, Smith remained the most common surname in the country, representing more than 2.4 million people.

Several other names show similar long-term persistence. These ones all remained in the top 7 positions across both censuses:

• Johnson
• Williams
• Brown
• Jones
• Miller

The following names also appear on both top-20 lists:

• Davis
• Wilson
• Taylor
• Moore
• Martin

Together, these patterns reflect the powerful effect of early demographic timing. English-, Scottish-, and Welsh-origin surnames entered the American population in large numbers during the nation’s formative years, giving them a numerical foundation that compounded over generations. Even as new waves of immigration reshaped the country, those early surnames retained a lasting presence simply because they had such a substantial head start.

What changed from 1790 to 2010?

While continuity is notable, the differences between the two lists tell an equally important story.

A full comparison of the top 20 surnames highlights the United States’ transition from a population dominated by British-origin names to a far more multi-ethnic society. This shift is most visible in the rise of Spanish-origin surnames, which were entirely absent from the top list in 1790.

By 2010, 6 of the top 20 surnames were of Hispanic origin:

• Garcia (ranked 6)
• Rodriguez (9)
• Martinez (10)
• Hernandez (11)
• Lopez (12)
• Gonzalez (13)

Their appearance reflects not only long-term migration, but the scale and concentration of more recent population growth. Unlike earlier surname groups that entered the population gradually, Spanish-origin surnames rose into the top ranks within a relatively short period, reshaping the surname landscape through sustained demographic momentum rather than slow accumulation.

Names that fell out of the top ranks

As some surnames rose in prominence, others declined.

Several names that ranked among the most common in 1790 no longer appeared in the top 20 by 2010:

• Clark, from 6th to 27
• White, from 11th to 24
• Thompson, from 13th to 23
• Hall, from 14th to 45
• Hill, from 16th to 39
• Green, from 17th to 41
• Lewis, from 19th to 29
• Reed, from 18th to 73

The most dramatic decline belongs to Wood, which fell from 15th place in 1790 to 84th in 2010.

These shifts reflect the combined effects of long-term population growth and changing migration patterns. As new populations expanded rapidly and in large numbers, they altered the balance of the surname rankings, pushing some long-established names lower on the list, not through disappearance, but through relative dilution within a much larger and more diverse population.

What’s the story of your American surname?

Together, these lists tell a layered story of continuity and change. Some families can trace their surnames back to the earliest days of the United States, while others reflect more recent chapters in the country’s history.

Is your family name among those that have endured for centuries, or does it represent a newer thread in the American story? Start your family tree on MyHeritage today and explore how your family’s name fits into the broader history of the nation.