surname

[sur-neym, 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)

surnamed, surnaming 

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

surname

/ 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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• surnamer noun
• unsurnamed 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

Her friend, Natalie, who does not want to give her surname, says the move actually helped her family situation.

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Citigroup singled out credit-card applicants suspected of being of Armenian descent based on their surnames, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said.

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The police have asked us not to reveal his surname.

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Melissa, who did not want to share her surname, first noticed the symptoms in childhood.

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The risk is that AI may fail to distinguish a Ukrainian soldier from a Russian, as they may be wearing the same uniform, says Vadym, who declined to give his surname.

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Related Words

• last name