surname

[ noun sur-neym; verb sur-neym, sur-neym ]

noun

1. Also called last name. the name that a person has in common with other family members, as distinguished from a first name or given name; family name.
2. a name added to a person's name, as one indicating a circumstance of birth or some characteristic or achievement; epithet.

verb (used with object)

, sur·named, sur·nam·ing.

1. to give a surname to; call by a surname.

surname

/ ˈsɜːˌneɪm /

noun

1. Also calledlast namesecond name a family name as opposed to a first or Christian name
2. (formerly) a descriptive epithet attached to a person's name to denote a personal characteristic, profession, etc; nickname

verb

1. tr to furnish with or call by a surname

Derived Forms

• ˈsurˌnamer, noun

Other Words From

• un·surnamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surname¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (noun); sur- ¹, name; modeled on Old French surnom

Word History and Origins

Origin of surname¹

C14: via Anglo-French from Old French surnom. See sur- ¹, name

Example Sentences

Black wore a hat with his surname, the A formed by a depiction of the African continent.

From The Daily Beast

Lemieux is a French-Canadian surname which means “The Best.”

From The Daily Beast

Satisfied, but not content, Gold strives to live up to her surname, as well as stamp it on the long list of American greats.

From The Daily Beast

Among those officials-turned-entrepreneurs is the British-based Mehdi Shamszadeh, normally uses the surname Shams.

From The Daily Beast

However this Maidan is not about the surname of this next president.

From The Daily Beast

Those of the plates which have only a surname upon them, indicate that the place is a lodging house.

From Project Gutenberg

Her face was pale and her sensuous lips were the color of her skin, whence her surname.

From Project Gutenberg

You love to banter; you love to give me that surname of 'Rich,' to me, now no less poor than Job.

From Project Gutenberg

Most people nowadays have one or more Christian names and a surname, but this was not always the case.

From Project Gutenberg

Kent is quite a well-known surname, as also are Derby, Buxton, and many other names of English places.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• last name