Top 15 U.S. Surnames with Largest Rank Gains Between 2010 and 2020

Scope and Source

The list below identifies the surnames that showed the largest increases in national rank between the 2010 and 2020 U.S. Census. The data come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Top Surnames: Fastest Growing Last Names Between 2010 and 2020 PDF, which lists the 15 surnames that moved highest in rank among those that were present in the top 1,000 for both censuses. The source is a secondary compilation of official Census data; it does not provide the raw counts or the exact percent changes for each surname.

The Surname List

Because the PDF does not report the numerical percent changes, the table shows a placeholder for that field. Researchers can obtain the exact figures by accessing the full Census Bureau page or by cross‑referencing the 2010 and 2020 surname tables.

How to Read the Figures

The “rank gain” refers to how many places a surname moved upward in the national ranking list from 2010 to 2020. A higher rank gain indicates a larger relative increase in frequency compared to other surnames. The Census Bureau’s ranking is based on the number of individuals reporting each last name on the census long form. Because the source only lists the top 15 rank gains, the table does not represent the complete set of all surnames that grew in rank.

Dataset and Selection Limitations

Only surnames that were in the top 1,000 in both censuses and that appear in the Census Bureau’s Fastest Growing Last Names PDF are included. The list is limited to 15 entries; no further surnames are reported in that source. The PDF does not include raw counts, exact rank positions for 2010 or 2020, or percent change values. For comprehensive analysis, users should consult the full Census surname tables, which are available on the Census website.

Explore the Surnames and Begin Research

Each surname listed here can be a starting point for genealogical investigation. Researchers may look up the surname in the U.S. Census surname tables for 2010 and 2020 to see the exact rank positions, counts, and percent changes. They can also search state and county archives, immigration records, or vital statistics to trace the geographic and demographic patterns of each name.

Source and Editorial Status

This article is based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Fastest Growing Last Names PDF. No additional editorial review has been conducted beyond confirming that the entries match the source. The article remains open for future updates if more detailed data become available.