Which States Have the Most People Named Smith?

Smith is the most common surname in the United States, with roughly 2.5 million Americans carrying the name. But Smiths are not evenly distributed across the country. Some states have far more Smiths than others, and the reasons involve history, migration patterns, and regional demographics.

Top 10 States by Total Number of Smiths

Based on Census estimates and demographic analysis, these states have the highest raw number of residents named Smith.

1. Texas — Approximately 200,000 Smiths, driven by the state's large overall population
2. California — Around 185,000, though Smith is not the most common surname in the state
3. Florida — Roughly 170,000, boosted by retiree migration and population growth
4. New York — About 155,000 Smiths statewide
5. Ohio — Approximately 130,000, reflecting the state's strong English and Scots-Irish heritage
6. Pennsylvania — Around 125,000
7. Georgia — Roughly 110,000, with Smith being extremely common among both Black and white residents
8. North Carolina — About 105,000
9. Illinois — Approximately 100,000
10. Michigan — Around 95,000

Top 10 States by Smith Concentration (Per Capita)

Raw population numbers tell one story, but looking at the percentage of residents named Smith tells another.

1. West Virginia — Roughly 1 in 70 residents is named Smith, the highest per-capita concentration in the nation
2. Kentucky — Approximately 1 in 80 residents
3. Tennessee — About 1 in 85 residents
4. Alabama — Roughly 1 in 90 residents
5. Mississippi — Approximately 1 in 95 residents
6. Ohio — About 1 in 95 residents
7. Indiana — Roughly 1 in 100 residents
8. Arkansas — Approximately 1 in 100 residents
9. North Carolina — About 1 in 100 residents
10. Virginia — Roughly 1 in 105 residents

Why the Appalachian Region Leads

The heavy concentration of Smiths in Appalachian and border states is not a coincidence. The surname Smith originated as an English occupational name for metalworkers, and it was one of the most common names brought to America by English and Scots-Irish settlers.

Historical Factors

• Colonial settlement patterns — English settlers heavily populated the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states during the 1600s and 1700s
• Scots-Irish immigration — The Appalachian region received large numbers of Scots-Irish immigrants, many of whom carried the Smith surname
• Lower immigration diversity — States like West Virginia and Kentucky received less immigration from non-English-speaking countries compared to coastal states
• Stability of population — These states experienced less demographic churning, allowing original surnames to remain dominant

States Where Smith Is NOT the Most Common Name

In several states, Smith has been overtaken by other surnames.

• California — Garcia is more common than Smith
• Texas — Garcia surpassed Smith in recent years
• New Mexico — Martinez is the most common surname
• Hawaii — Lee is more common, reflecting Asian American demographics
• Louisiana — Williams rivals Smith for the top position

Smith vs. Other Common Names by Region

The dominance of Smith varies significantly by region.

Northeast

Smith remains the most common surname in most Northeastern states, but faces strong competition from Johnson, Williams, and Brown.

Southeast

Smith is extremely common throughout the Southeast, particularly among both white and Black populations. In states like Georgia and the Carolinas, Smith, Williams, and Johnson all have very high prevalence.

Midwest

Smith is the leading surname across most Midwestern states, with Johnson as a close second, reflecting Scandinavian immigration patterns.

Southwest

Hispanic surnames like Garcia, Martinez, and Hernandez have overtaken Smith in several Southwestern states.

West

Smith remains common but is less dominant due to the West's highly diverse immigrant populations.

Fun Facts About the Smith Surname

• There are more Americans named Smith than the entire population of 15 individual US states
• If all American Smiths formed their own city, it would be the 4th largest in the country, larger than Houston
• The name appears in every single US county without exception
• Smith has been the most common American surname in every Census since the first one in 1790
• The surname originated independently in multiple languages: Schmidt (German), Herrero (Spanish), Ferraro (Italian), and Kowalski (Polish) all mean the same thing

What This Means for People Searches

The extreme commonness of the Smith surname creates unique challenges for anyone trying to find a specific person named Smith. When searching for someone with this name, additional identifying information becomes critical.

• Middle name or initial — Helps narrow results significantly
• Known city or state — Geographic filtering is essential
• Approximate age — Age range helps distinguish between similarly named individuals
• Known associates or relatives — Can help confirm the right person

People search tools that aggregate multiple data points are especially valuable when searching for someone with the most common surname in America.