The most popular last name in the U.S.

As populations grew, last names began as a way to differentiate between people: Having more than one name helped identify which John owned a specific parcel of land or which Robert had a son who was getting married.

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When Did People Start Using Last Names?

Arts & Culture

A s populations grew, last names began as a way to differentiate between people: Having more than one name helped identify which John owned a specific parcel of land or which Robert had a son who was getting married. Over time, they became important to an individual's identity and heritage, particularly as people began to emigrate from their homelands. Here's what we know about how this naming convention came to be.

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