family name
Americannoun
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the hereditary surname of a family.
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a given name frequently used in a family.
noun
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a surname, esp when regarded as representing the family honour
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a first or middle name frequently used in a family, often originally a surname
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:
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.
But all are in agreement on what you do on second reference: Family name alone.
From Fox News • Aug. 7, 2019
One option for Prince Harry and Meghan could be the Royal Family name - Mountbatten-Windsor.
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2019
The network overhauled its branding in early 2016 after realizing the ABC Family name was creating a dissonant note among current and prospective viewers.
From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2017
The ABC Family name was changed in January to Freeform to indicate the channel’s move to target millennial viewers.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2016
Cortin glanced at Mike, savoring the sound of his Family name.
From The Alembic Plot A Terran Empire novel by Wilson, Ann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
