what is the most common surname in the united states behind smith?
According to the Bureau, Patel ranked 172nd as the most common surname in America, way up from its 591 ranking in 1990. NEW YORK: Patel is the most common Indian surname in the US, a new US Census Bureau study has found. According to the Bureau, Patel ranked 172nd as the most common surname in America (Smith takes the top slot), way up from its 591 ranking in 1990. The total number of Patels in the US stood at 145,000.