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What is the rarest last name in America?

Published in Rarest Surnames America 2 mins read

While pinpointing a single "rarest" last name in America can be complex due to factors like extremely low counts and data privacy, several surnames are consistently identified as exceptionally uncommon. Based on the 2010 U.S. Census data, names such as Tartal, Throndsen, Torsney, Tuffin, Usoro, Vanidestine, Viglianco, and Vozenilek are among those identified as extremely rare in America.

Understanding Rarity in Surnames

The definition of a "rarest" last name often refers to surnames that appear fewer than 100 times in a national census. Due to the vast diversity of names and continuous demographic shifts, the absolute "rarest" can fluctuate. Many surnames might appear only once or a handful of times, making it challenging to designate one single name as the rarest definitively over time. Instead, researchers often identify a group of surnames that fall into this category of extreme rarity.

Examples of Extremely Rare U.S. Surnames (2010 Census)

The following names are examples of some of the rarest surnames identified in the U.S. as of the 2010 Census, reflecting their very low prevalence:

  • Tartal
  • Throndsen
  • Torsney
  • Tuffin
  • Usoro
  • Vanidestine
  • Viglianco
  • Vozenilek

These surnames represent a tiny fraction of the total last names in the United States, highlighting the diverse linguistic and historical origins of American surnames. Their extreme rarity means they are encountered by very few individuals nationwide.