Definitions for surname
ˈsɜrˌneɪm; sɜrˈneɪmsur·name

Princeton's WordNet(2.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. surname, family name, cognomen, last name(noun)

   the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)

Wiktionary(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. surname(Noun)

   A name that indicates to which family a person belongs, normally following that person's given name(s) in Western culture, and preceding it in Eastern.

2. surname(Verb)

   To give a surname.

3. surname(Verb)

   To call by a surname.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Surname(noun)

   a name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name

   Etymology: [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.]

2. Surname(noun)

   an appellation added to the original name; an agnomen

   Etymology: [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.]

3. Surname(verb)

   to name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to

   Etymology: [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Surname

   A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name and many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name". In the western hemisphere, it is commonly synonymous with "last name", since it is usually placed at the end of a person's given name. In most Hispanophone and Lusophone countries, two or more last names may be used. In Russia, China, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Madagascar, Vietnam, parts of India and in many other East Asian countries, the family name is placed before a person's given name. The style of having both a family name and a given name is far from universal. In many countries it is common for ordinary people to have only one name or mononym. The concept of a 'surname' is a relatively recent historical development, evolving from a medieval naming practice called a 'byname'. Based on an individual's occupation or area of residence, a byname would be used in situations where more than one person had the same name.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Surname

   sur′nām, n. a name over and above the Christian name: the family name.—v.t. to call by a surname.—adj. Surnom′inal. [Formed from Fr. sur—L. super, over and above, and Eng. name, on the analogy of Fr. sur-nom.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. surname

   A family name or combination of family names.

   Our surname can be a family name of a mix of our family name and our husband or wifes family name.

   Submitted by MaryC on April 8, 2020  

Anagrams for surname »

1. manures

How to pronounce surname?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say surname in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of surname in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of surname in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of surname in a Sentence

1. Maria Grazia Chiuri:

   It gives me great joy to be here tonight to honor Maria Grazia and Chiuri and Pierpaolo .?.?. Oh, I don’t know how to say your surname, it’s so difficult.

2. Keiko Fujimori:

   In 2021, there will be no (presidential) candidate with the Fujimori surname.

Images & Illustrations of surname

Popularity rank by frequency of use