surname
noun
the name that a person has in common with other family members, as distinguished from a first name or given name; family name.
surnames
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pluralof surname.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof surname (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
surnamenounthe name that a person has in common with other family members, as distinguished from a first name or given name; family name.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While nearly 80% of women in opposite-sex marriages in the U.S. take on their spouse’s last name, others are turning to custom blended surnames, pitch decks or athletic tournaments to settle the debate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
The Enthusiasm Society, whose members are known by their surnames, recruits Saxberger to join and sets about announcing itself to the world via an evening of performed monologues and poetry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Hannah says she had no emotional connection to her previous surname, and it often confused people when she would use two surnames in different contexts.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
Wairimũ Mũkũrũ, a young Kikuyu cultural expert with a large social media following, says the rise of female surnames is largely down to the fact that single-mother families have become much more common.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Next down are kids like me who call each other by our surnames.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
