Surface properties of small magnetic particles play a key role in high density recording media for both hard disk and tape technologies. The particle surfaces are important in thermally activated decay of magnetically stored information. Current understanding of this effect is based on perfect alignment of adjacent atomic magnetic spins. Our present results indicate that magnetic spins on surfaces can be far from perfect alignment. The figure illustrates the result of a calculation of the equilibrium magnetic spin directions in a 25 Angstrom nickel-iron oxide particle. The magnetic spins located at "A" sites are normally anti-parallel with those located at "B" sites. Highlighted in red are the surface magnetic spins which are misaligned. Our experimental studies of the same particles are in agreement with this calculated result. These results will lead to a more complete understanding of thermally activated decay of magnetization in small particles, which will help to insure the long term stability of magnetic storage.