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

She eventually took her father’s first name as her stage surname after she had trouble booking roles.

From Los Angeles Times

Mohamed added the Arabic "Al" prefix to his surname some time in the 1970s.

From BBC

The couple, who are originally from Kerala, India where a father's first name is used as a surname, now have their own room in the hospital.

From BBC

In a society that puts so much emphasis on seniority, Mr Tsuji's surname was crucial to his ability to make major changes at Sanrio.

From BBC

Special Forces soldiers are known as the "protected population" of the Army - but Mr Khalife explained how he could identify their first names by typing their surnames into an Army leave-booking system.

From BBC

Related Words

• last name