surname

American  

[sur-neym, sur-neym, sur-neym] / ˈsɜrˌneɪm, ˈsɜrˌneɪm, sɜrˈneɪm /

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.

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verb (used with object)

surnamed, surnaming

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

surname British  

/ ˈsɜːˌneɪm /

noun

1. Also called: last name.   second 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

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verb

1. (tr) to furnish with or call by a surname

Other Word Forms

• surnamer noun
• unsurnamed adjective

Etymology

Origin of surname

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

Compare meaning

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

• surname vs. maiden name
• surname vs. given name
• surname vs. forename

Example Sentences

There wasn’t even an appearance from anyone with the surname Trump.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The woman, in her 20s and identified by her surname Kwon, argued that she did not know the procedure would be carried out that way.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Ansar Allah’s informal name, Houthis, comes from the surname of the late political and religious leader, Hussein Badreddin Houthi.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

"Russia should have had -- though unfortunately it didn't work out -- a leader exactly like Nemtsov," he told AFP, declining to give his surname.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Fannv worked in the Bottling Room, and her surname was also Crowne.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• last name