18 Most Common Surnames in West Midlands Revealed: Check Yours
18 Most Common Surnames in West Midlands: Check Yours

Data from Forebears reveals the most common surnames in the West Midlands, highlighting the region's unique cultural mix and industrial heritage. The West Midlands is the most ethnically diverse region in the UK outside London, with around 45% of residents not identifying as White British in the 2021 Census.

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration

The 18 Most Common Surnames

  1. Smith – The most common surname in England and the English-speaking world, with one Smith per 83 people locally. It derives from the occupation of smithing, fitting the region's industrial history.
  2. Jones – Second-most common, with nearly 29,000 people named Jones in the region. It means 'son of John'.
  3. Kaur – Third-most common locally, though 93rd in England. Two-fifths of England's Kaurs live in the West Midlands. It is adopted by baptised female Sikhs.
  4. Singh – Fourth locally, with about 23,200 people. Like Kaur, it is a Sikh surname adopted to reduce caste prejudice.
  5. Williams – Fifth-most common, a patronymic name meaning 'son of William'.
  6. Begum – A female name of Turkic origin. 21% of England's Begums live in the West Midlands.
  7. Taylor – An occupational surname, third-most common in England, with about 15,600 Taylors locally.
  8. Hussain – An Arabic name meaning 'good' or 'handsome'. About one in 200 people locally bear this name.
  9. Evans – Of Welsh origin, slightly more common locally than in England (13th).
  10. Khan – Derived from a historic title meaning 'military chief' or 'royalty'. 40th in England, 10th locally.
  11. Patel – An Indian surname from Gujarat, with about 12,000 people locally. Ninth in England, 11th locally.
  12. Brown – Meaning 'son of Brun', fourth in England but 12th locally.
  13. Davies – Of Welsh origin, less common locally than in other parts of England.
  14. Harris – Meaning 'son of Harry/Henry', more common locally than in England (23rd).
  15. Ali – A unisex name common in the Muslim world. 70th in England, with nearly 13% of England's Alis living locally.
  16. Johnson – Meaning 'son of John', seventh in England but under-represented locally (less than 5% of England's Johnsons).
  17. Clarke – Occupational name from 'clerk', more common locally than in England (20th).
  18. Hill – Meaning one who lived on a hill. One per 328 people locally, more common than in England (28th).