Researcher
Thu Jul 10 2025
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< 5 minutes read
Our surnames can reveal a lot about where we come from and the lives our ancestors lived. Find out how rare your last name is with family history - here's how.
The rarest British surnames in history
Some family names are so uncommon that they appear only a handful of times in historical records. These rare names stand out immediately in family trees, and often spark curiosity.
One such example is Twelvetrees. In the 1901 Census, only six people with this surname are recorded. A few years later, the same name appears in First World War records. We can reasonably guess that it stems from a geographical landmark (known as a place-based or geographic surname).
Farah is also a very rare surname. We may recognise it thanks to athlete Mo Farah - but it's almost entirely absent from British genealogy records, with less than 9,000 mentions in Findmypast's entire online archive. The name reflects a more recent migration story and highlights the shifting nature of Britain’s population.
Why are some surnames so rare?
There are several reasons why a surname might be unusual. Some originated from now-defunct occupations or dialects that have faded from use. Others may have changed spelling over time or been anglicised from foreign names.
Migration also plays a part. Families who left Britain may have taken their names with them, only for them to disappear from British records. In other cases, entire family lines may have ended through war, illness, or the absence of male heirs, as surnames have traditionally passed down the male line.
A rare surname may signpost a fascinating and surprising story within your family tree.
Most common last names
For a Smith or a Jones, the answer to the question 'how rare is my surname?' seems pretty obvious. A 2016 study by the University of the West of England identified Smith, Jones and Williams as the UK's most common surnames. You'll find these names littered throughout digitised genealogy records, from parish baptisms and burials to military attestations.
When your surname research involves a popular name, cross-checking your information becomes important. Matching names accurately with dates, occupations, and addresses can be essential in ensuring you've got the right person.
How to uncover your surname's origins
Whether your surname is rare or common, exploring its origin is a great way to understand your family’s roots.
You can start by using surname search tools on family history websites like Findmypast. Find out what your surname means, how it's evolved over time, and where it was most commonly found in historical censuses.
You may discover:
- Regional clusters, pointing to your family's geographic roots
- Alternate spellings or early forms of your surname
- Connections to jobs, landmarks or even personal characteristics
- Evidence of migration, from rural areas to cities or even overseas
You can broaden your discoveries by searching for a surname across various record collections. Gravestone inscriptions or parish registers might feature a different variation of a name, especially if your ancestors lived in areas with strong local dialects.
Preserve your discoveries in a family tree
Once you've uncovered the origin and history of your surname, it's useful to store your discoveries within an online family tree. You can start your family tree for free on genealogy sites like Findmypast.
Your tree allows you to keep track of the key names and dates - but more than this, it can help to bring the stories of your ancestors to life. Build up a clearer image of the generations that came before you, illuminating one chapter of your surname's history at a time.
Whether your surname is as widespread as Smith or as rare as Twelvetrees, it ties you to your family’s past. Discovering its origins, tracking its journey through time, and preserving its meaning will deepen your connection to your ancestry. You may even uncover some surprises along the way.
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