family name

noun

1. the hereditary surname of a family.
2. a given name frequently used in a family.

family name

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of family name¹

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

Names appear in the database as they do in court documents, meaning that some follow the Western naming convention of first name followed by family name, and others appear with the family name first, as is standard in China.

From MIT Technology Review

Beyond that, it’s not clear what his pitch to New Yorkers will be beyond that family name.

From Washington Post

The note, which the New York Times published Monday, described how “embarrassing” he is to the family name and accused him of turning his back on Christian principles.

From Washington Post

Today, the artist’s studio is closed to visitors at the Richmond museum that bears his family name — the Valentine.

From Washington Post

Those family names may sound odd, but their members include some commonly known types.

From Science News For Students

Then they wrote her name on the coffin in gold letters and added the family name.

From The Daily Beast

In traditional Japanese style, the family name is listed first.

From The Daily Beast

But Langley Fox, his 24-year-old great grand-daughter, is proving you can make it sans the glamorous family name.

From The Daily Beast

His family name lives in infamy as it adorns the plaza where Kennedy was shot.

From The Daily Beast

Others around the room stressed that the Mubarak family name had afforded them no privileges.

From The Daily Beast

He likened the celebrated Theophile to a calf, because Theophile's family name was Viaud, something resembling veau (a calf).

From Project Gutenberg

I wanted in some way to have my family name connected with it, and yet not so distinctly as to be suggestive, either.

From Project Gutenberg

The family name became extinct, and the homestead of seven or eight generations passed into the hands of one bearing another name.

From Project Gutenberg

I liked the way you shut up Judge Tuttle about your family name.

From Project Gutenberg

The family name depends wery much upon you, Samivel, and I hope you'll do wot's right by it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• last name