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

"He owns less than 1% of the group that bears his family name. But he is a titan nonetheless: the most powerful businessman in India and one of the most influential in the world," the magazine said.

From BBC

The couple say they approached the court because they wanted to carry on his "legacy" and that the order would help them preserve a connection with him and help their family name to continue.

From BBC

When he married, both JD and his wife Usha took the last name of Vance to honour his maternal grandparents' family name - leading to his current name: James David Vance.

From BBC

In the Harris-Emhoff family, the obvious rhyme asserted itself, so her family name is certainly clever.

From Salon

She has spoken about the impact of losing her father, Sergey, who died in 2019, and says it is her goal to "put our family name in the history of tennis".

From BBC

Related Words

• last name