You've found the perfect doormat or entryway rug, and now you're stuck on one small question: is it "The Smiths" or "The Smith's"? It's one of the most common mistakes on personalized doormats, signs and holiday cards, and once you see it you can't unsee it.
Here's the simple rule, examples for every type of last name, and a few ways to skip the apostrophe question completely.
Quick answer
Use "The Smiths", with no apostrophe. You are talking about more than one Smith, so the name is plural. An apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone, and there is nothing after the name on a doormat that belongs to them.
The Rule: Plural, Not Possessive
A family doormat says that more than one person with that last name lives here. That makes the name plural, and plurals don't use apostrophes.
- ✅ The Smiths: more than one Smith lives here.
- ❌ The Smith's: means "belonging to one Smith". Belonging to one Smith… what?
Think of it this way: you'd say "the Smiths are coming for dinner", not "the Smith's are coming for dinner". The doormat works the same way.
"The Smiths": plural, no apostrophe.
How to Make Any Last Name Plural
Most names just need an -s. Names that end in certain letters need -es. Here's the full guide:
| If the name ends in… | Add | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Most letters | -s | Smith → The Smiths · Miller → The Millers · Garcia → The Garcias · Nguyen → The Nguyens |
| -s | -es | Jones → The Joneses · Davis → The Davises · Williams → The Williamses |
| -x or -z | -es | Fox → The Foxes · Lopez → The Lopezes · Martinez → The Martinezes |
| -ch or -sh | -es | Church → The Churches · Walsh → The Walshes |
| -y | -s (never -ies) | Kennedy → The Kennedys · Brady → The Bradys |
| -o | usually -s | Romero → The Romeros · Castro → The Castros |
Never change the spelling of the name itself. It's "The Kennedys", not "The Kennedies", because the name stays the same and you only add to the end.
"The Garcias": just add -s.
What About Names Ending in S, Like Jones or Williams?
This is where most people get stuck. The correct plural of Jones is "The Joneses", and of Williams it's "The Williamses". It's correct, but some families think it looks a little unusual on a rug.
If you'd rather avoid it, use one of these instead. They're always correct, for any name:
- The Jones Family
- The Jones Home
- The Jones Residence
- Welcome to the Jones Home
Don't use "The Jones'" or "The Jones's" on their own. Those are possessive forms, and they only make sense with a word after them, like "The Joneses' Home".
When Is the Apostrophe Correct?
Only when something comes after the name that belongs to the family. Then the apostrophe goes after the s, because the home belongs to all of them:
- ✅ The Smiths' Home: the home belonging to the Smiths
- ✅ The Joneses' House
- ❌ The Smith's Home: this would mean the home of one person named Smith
Simpler still: "The Smith Home" or "The Smith Family" needs no apostrophe at all, and it reads beautifully on a rug.
Two Last Names or a Hyphenated Name?
- Hyphenated name: make the last part plural, as in "The Smith-Garcias", or keep it simple with "The Smith-Garcia Family".
- Two different last names: use both with "Family" or "Home", as in "The Smith & Garcia Family" or "Smith · Garcia".
- Newlyweds: use the new shared name with the year: "The Millers · Est. 2026".
Popular Wording Ideas for Your Rug
| Style | Wording |
|---|---|
| Classic | The Smiths |
| With monogram | S on top, The Smiths underneath |
| Warm welcome | Welcome · The Garcia Family |
| Formal | The Anderson Residence |
| New home or newlyweds | The Millers · Est. 2026 |
| Names ending in S | The Jones Family |
"The Andersons": a monogram with the plural family name.
Quick Checklist Before You Order
- ✔ No apostrophe for a plural name: The Smiths
- ✔ Add -es for names ending in s, x, z, ch or sh
- ✔ Names ending in y just get -s
- ✔ Not sure? Use "The ___ Family" or "The ___ Home"
- ✔ Double-check the spelling. Every rug is made to order, just for you.
Ready to see your name at the front door? Choose a design from our personalized entryway rugs, type your family name and preview it before you order. Every rug is machine washable, non-slip and made to order. Looking for a gift? See our housewarming gift ideas, and if you're not sure about size, our entryway rug size guide will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it "The Smiths" or "The Smith's" on a doormat?
"The Smiths". The name is plural because more than one Smith lives there, and plurals don't take an apostrophe.
How do you write a last name ending in S on a doormat?
Add -es: "The Joneses", "The Davises". Or skip it and write "The Jones Family" or "The Jones Home".
Where does the apostrophe go in "The Smiths' Home"?
After the s, because the home belongs to the whole family: "The Smiths' Home". If there's no word after the name, don't use an apostrophe.
Is "The Kennedy's" or "The Kennedys" correct?
"The Kennedys". Names ending in y only add -s, and they never use an apostrophe for the plural.
What's the safest wording for any last name?
"The [Name] Family" or "The [Name] Home". It's always correct, whatever the name ends with.
