Your name could be on the list and you may not even realise
Thousands of estates in England and Wales remain unclaimed, according to the UK Government’s latest update, which took place on May 19 of this year. It lists over 6,000 names on the Bona Vacantia Division’s register.
These estates, often comprising property, savings, and other assets, are available to be legally claimed by living relatives, provided they come forward in time. Because of this, Darren Gallagher, property expert and founder of Elite Realty Invest, is encouraging the public to check whether their family name appears on the list.
He stresses that many people are unaware they could be entitled to an inheritance saying: “Most people don’t know they could be the rightful heir to an estate, especially if a distant relative died without a will.
“We see this time and time again – properties, cash, assets – all left in limbo because nobody thought to check.”
Most Common Surnames with Unclaimed Estates – 2025
The team at Elite Realty Invest have dug into the data and listed the top 10 British surnames with unclaimed estates in 2025
Rank
Surname
Approx. Number of Unclaimed Estates
1
Smith
129
2
Jones
86
3
Taylor
54
4
Brown
50
5
Williams
45
6
Johnson
40
7
Davies
38
8
Evans
35
9
Thomas
33
10
Roberts
30
These figures represent only a fraction of the complete list, which includes thousands of names throughout the UK. When someone dies without a will and no known next of kin, their estate is held by the Crown for up to 30 years and during this period, eligible relatives have the legal right to claim their inheritance.
How to Check If You’re Eligible:
- The Government publishes a free daily-updated list here
- You can search by surname and region
- If you spot a match, you may need to provide evidence of your relationship to the deceased
- Professional help can make the process easier and faster
Mr Gallagher concludes: “This isn’t just a legal loophole – it’s people’s legacy. We help individuals identify legitimate claims and take the pressure off what can feel like a complex system.”
