MAPS REVEALS THE MOST COMMON SURNAMES IN EVERY COUNTRY

Even if there is greater cultural diversity in human civilisation now, our surnames can reveal a lot about our ancestry. Although there are many lesser-known last names, this map made by the online lending company NetCredit shows the most popular surnames worldwide, broken down by nation.

Generally speaking, surnames can be classified into one of five categories: toponymic (based on place), occupational, personal descriptor, patronymic (derived from the name of a father or ancestor), and names that indicate patronage. In order to facilitate census gathering, second names were first introduced in China in 2852 BC. The concept quickly spread around the world. During the Middle Ages, surnames were used to distinguish individuals as the population in Western Europe increased. Many people in this area were given names based on their occupation or profession. According to NetCredit's map, Müller, the professional term for a miller, is the most frequent surname in Germany.

Originally used for blacksmiths, Smith is the most popular surname in English-speaking nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Wang, a patronymic Chinese name that translates to "king" in Mandarin, is the most widely used surname worldwide. The name is shared by about 76 million individuals worldwide, with the Indian surname Devi coming in second with 69 million. It's also noteworthy that the colonial past of the Caribbean and Central America is reflected in surnames. For instance, Jean, the French form of John, is the most prevalent last name in Haiti, a French colony from 1697 to 1804.