The symmetry of surface states on metal surfaces is investigated by gr
oup-theoretical methods. The surface states are represented in the lin
ear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals approximation. This approach yields
a qualitative characterization of surface states with respect to thei
r orbital composition, charge distribution, position of nodal planes,
etc., simply on the basis of existing bulk-band-structure calculations
. Symmetry selection rules are easily derived and examples are given,
where erroneous assignments and ambiguities in the literature could be
clarified by the present method.