Thursday 15 June 2017

Tamm remains the most common surname in Estonia


According to Statistics Estonia's Population Register the most common surname in Estonia as of January 2017 is Tamm (oak). Nearly 5,300 people in Estonia have this surname.  Other common surnames include Saar (found especially in Viljandi, Rapla and Lääne) Sepp (Saaremaa) and Kukk (Põlva).

Estonians typically derive their surnames from various trees, plants, animals, landforms and occupations.

My surname Lestal, which means 'flounder' (fish) is quite rare. As of 1 January 2017 only 16 men and 17 women in Estonia have this surname. They are mainly concentrated in Tartu county which is where my family originate. 

To do a name search and find data on your surname, please click here: Estonian surnames