Over 5,000 unclaimed estates worth potentially significant sums of money are waiting to be claimed across the UKSteven Smith Network Content Editor and Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle, content hub
09:37, 21 Mar 2026Updated 11:15, 21 Mar 2026
There are thousands of unclaimed estates in the UK(Image: Getty)
Each year, a large number of estates remain unclaimed. As of February 2026, there are more than 5,000 unclaimed estates scattered across the UK. Given that the average price of a property in the UK is £270,259 and there are 5,472 such properties, the total estimated value of these unclaimed estates comes to nearly £1.5billion.
Private wealth solicitors at UK law firm Weightmans have delved into the surnames and regions in the UK with the highest number of unclaimed estates and what you need to do to ensure your estate doesn’t end up the same way, reports the Liverpool Echo. Richard Bate at Weightmans stated: “Creating a will is more than just a legal necessity.
“It’s a critical component of financial wellness. Without a clear will, you’re leaving the fate of your assets up to the courts, which can lead to long, stressful disputes among your potential heirs.
“By taking proactive steps in estate planning and utilising available resources, individuals can significantly reduce the chances of their estates becoming unclaimed. Ensuring that your final wishes are clearly documented and legally protected not only secures your legacy but also eases the burden on your loved ones during a challenging time.”
The most common surnames on the unclaimed estates list
The data from the unclaimed estates list indicates that certain surnames appear frequently, suggesting that these names are prevalent in the population or may have higher incidences of unclaimed estates. The most common surname is Smith, with 94 instances, followed by Jones, Brown, Williams and Taylor.
Smith 94Jones 55Brown 45Williams 35Taylor 29Wilson 27Davies 26Johnson 26Thomas 24Harris 21How to ensure your estate is claimed
Weightmans stated that creating a will was the most effective way to guarantee that your estate is distributed according to your wishes and to the individuals or entities you care about most. This is particularly important if you have few or no living relatives, as, without a will, your estate could potentially become unclaimed and revert to state ownership.
In your will, you have the flexibility to specify exactly who should inherit your assets. These individuals or entities are known as the beneficiaries of your will. It’s important to note that beneficiaries do not need to be family members – you are free to include friends, life partners, charities, or other organisations that you wish to support.
You can customise the inheritance in your will with considerable precision: you might opt to leave specific items or fixed sums of money to certain beneficiaries, or you might decide to allocate percentages of your estate’s total value to different parties. This flexibility enables you to acknowledge and provide for the people and causes important to you in meaningful ways.
By ensuring that your will is professionally drafted, you can avoid any ambiguity regarding your intentions. A clear, legally sound will eliminates uncertainty for your loved ones and simplifies the estate administration process, ensuring that your final wishes are honoured exactly as you envisioned. Therefore, not only does a well-prepared will secure your legacy, but it also provides peace of mind to those you leave behind, knowing they are fulfilling your wishes without room for doubt or legal challenge.
The UK areas with the most unclaimed estates
Weightmans said that London topped the list of unclaimed estates in England, with 1,612 properties still awaiting heirs in the capital, reflecting its large population density for many years. Surrey follows in second place, with 283 estates left untouched, whilst the West Midlands ranks third with 253.
These unclaimed estates could equate to a significant sum of money for those entitled to them, with some remaining unresolved for decades. Indeed, the oldest estate on the list dates back to 1974, underlining the importance of having your affairs in order and ensuring your loved ones are aware of your estate plans.
London 1612Surrey 283West Midlands 253West Yorkshire 245Wales 221Essex 216Kent 204Middlesex 198Hampshire 152East Sussex 136Hertfordshire 118Devon 103Bristol 81West Sussex 78Nottinghamshire 76South Yorkshire 76Leicestershire 73Staffordshire 70Berkshire 63Dorset 63Somerset 61Gloucestershire 60
Over half of the top 20 areas are located in the south of the country, indicating a regional disparity where potentially wealthier southern counties have more unclaimed estates than their northern counterparts.
Methodology
Data was sourced from government statistics of unclaimed estates as of mid-February 2026. Average house prices were obtained from Rightmove.
Each county was categorised into a region that matched the updated area list, due to some areas changing since the unclaimed estate was recorded; for instance, Middlesex was amalgamated with London. For the regional totals, unknown areas and areas outside of the UK were excluded from the results but were included in the overall figures.