family name

American  

noun

• family names
  plural

1. the hereditary surname of a family.

2. a given name frequently used in a family.

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family name British  

noun

1. a surname, esp when regarded as representing the family honour

2. a first or middle name frequently used in a family, often originally a surname

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• family names
  plural

Etymology

Origin of family name

First recorded in 1690–1700

Compare meaning

How does family-name compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• given name vs. family name

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

family name

From shoulder shimmies and frat flicks to somersaults and knee slides, the Flemings and Schifferles left it all on the dance floor to prove the prowess of their family name.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

"One Dumfries is a Scottish town, another Dumfries became a Caribbean family name," she said.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

The paternal great-grandmother of goalie Matt Turner fled religious persecution in Lithuania, with his Jewish ancestors changing their family name from Turnovski to Turner when they arrived at Ellis Island.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

Michel, an 87-year-old resident, who also did not want to give his family name, recalled the "police checks" and "blocked roads" during the ayatollah's stay.

From Barron's ● Mar. 3, 2026

“Ah well, Hare’s the family name, don't y’know. My parents named me Basil, though the old mater wanted me to be called Columbine Agnes. Always longed for a young lass, she did.”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• last name