15 surnames most likely owed inheritance as £1billion waiting to be claimed

08 August 2023 , 08:33

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Richard Nelson LLP has revealed the most common surnames due inheritance (Image: Getty Images)

The 15 surnames most likely to be owed inheritance have been revealed - as thousands of Brits are urged to check if they are due a payout.

New analysis has found “Smith” is the last name most likely in line for a windfall, with a total of 122 unclaimed estates falling under this name. It is estimated the total value owed could be in the region of an eye-watering £18.3million.

You could also be in luck if your surname is “Jones”as there are a total of 78 unclaimed estates under this last name. People with this last name could be owed a share of £11.7million in inheritance.

The new data from the wills and probate team at national law firm Richard Nelson LLP shows more than 6,000 Brits who could be owed inheritance. The average estate is valued at £150,000, meaning people across the UK could be due a payout worth around £1billion.

An unclaimed estate occurs when a person dies without having a will in place and their family cannot be traced. In these circumstances, the Crown Estate takes ownership of their possessions - this is known as “bona vacantia” which means “vacant goods”.

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The list of unclaimed estates of people who have died without making a will is available online. Each estate must be claimed within 12 years before it passes to the Crown and will be paid with interest.

You might be able to claim going back as far as 30 years, but this is down to the discretion of the Government Legal Department and no interest will be paid for the final 18 years. If you think you may have a claim, it is up to you to identify your relationship to the deceased and then submit evidence, including ID documents to prove it.

Rebecca Head, consultant solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP, has called on Brits to check they have an up to date will in place.

She said: “With our research revealing there have been more than 6,000 unclaimed estates in the UK since the start of the year it is evident that many people are failing to adequately prepare for their death.

“While making arrangements for when you pass away is an uncomfortable and often unwanted task, the importance of it cannot be understated. By making a will you can help to protect your loved ones after you die and ensure your possessions are distributed as you’d wished.”

Top 15 surnames for unclaimed estates

• Smith - 122 unclaimed estates; total value £18.3million
• Jones - 78 unclaimed estates; total value £11.7million
• Taylor - 51 unclaimed estates; total value £7.65million
• Brown - 48 unclaimed estates; total value £7.2million
• Williams - 45 unclaimed estates; total value £6.75million
• Wilson - 36 unclaimed estates; total value £5.4million
• Johnson - 35 unclaimed estates; total value £5.25million
• Davies - 33 unclaimed estates; total value £4.95million
• Thomas - 31 unclaimed estates; total value £4.65million
• King - 28 unclaimed estates; total value £4.2million
• Kelly - 27 unclaimed estates; total value £4million
• White - 26 unclaimed estates; total value £3.9million
• Ryan - 26 unclaimed estates; total value £3.9million
• Harris - 24 unclaimed estates; total value £3.6million
• Martin - 23 unclaimed estates; total value £3.45million

Levi Winchester