surname Definition
a hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a given name..
Using surname: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "surname" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
My surname is Smith.
Example
What's your mother's maiden surname?
Example
She decided to keep her surname after getting married.
Example
The surname 'Johnson' is of English origin.
surname Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for surname
- patronymic
- family name
- last name
Phrases with surname
double-barrelled surname
a surname consisting of two hyphenated names, typically the surnames of both parents
Example
She has a double-barrelled surname, which is a combination of her parents' last names.
Example
What was your mother's maiden surname?
Example
His paternal surname is 'Garcia'.
Origins of surname
from Old French 'sornom', meaning 'nickname'
Summary: surname in Brief
The term 'surname' [ˈsɜːrneɪm] refers to a hereditary name shared by all members of a family, as opposed to a given name. It is also known as a family name or last name and can be combined with another surname in a double-barrelled surname. Examples include 'My surname is Smith.' and 'The surname 'Johnson' is of English origin.'