surname

nounfamily name

Synonyms for surname

noun family name

Word Origin & History

early 14c., "name, title, or epithet added to a person's name," from sur "above" (see sur-) + name (n.); modeled on Anglo-French surnoun "surname" (early 14c.), variant of Old French surnom, from sur "over" + nom "name."

An Old English word for this was freonama, literally "free name." Meaning "family name" is first found late 14c. Hereditary surnames existed among Norman nobility in England in early 12c., among common people began to be used 13c., increasingly frequent until near universal by end of 14c. The process was later in the north of England than the south. The verb is attested from 1540s.

Example Sentences for surname

She had never known the surname, and on two of the cards "Ph." appeared.

The signature was extended in full, with the surname blackly underlined.

This is the surname of several renowned gastronomers of old Rome.

They called him Anarchisto de Barcelona, as if it were his Christian name and surname.

“Whatever your surname may be, it makes no difference to me,” was his reply.

Surname or nickname; but are there any philosophers at the court of France?

His father liked Henry so well for a surname that he had him christened Henry, too.

They are distinguished by that of their tribe, or some other surname.

He was known, then, to the master and mistress, this Giovanni with the Irish surname.

He was called Peter the Hermit because he was a hermit, and not, as some have maintained, because it was his surname.

surname

Synonyms for surname

cognomen

denomination

last name

name

names

surname

Synonyms for surname

More words related to surname

agnomen

cognomen

denomination

last name

name

names