surname

surname — noun

1. the family name that a person shares with their parents and siblings and that is

1.nounA1
Definition

the family name that a person shares with their parents and siblings and that is passed down from one generation to the next; in English-speaking countries it is usually written after the given name

Example

James wrote his surname on the top line of the school form.

collocation: write + surname

Bao's surname is Wang, which is one of the most common family names in China.

common structure: [name] + is surname + [name]

Common collocations
  • family surname
  • maiden surname
  • common surname
  • change surname
  • take surname
  • adopt surname
  • share surname
Synonyms
  • last name

    more common in American English; refers to the position of the name

  • family name

    more common in British English; emphasizes the family connection

  • patronymic

    a technical term for a name derived from the father's name, not a general synonym for surname

Antonyms
  • given name

    the personal name chosen for a person at birth, as opposed to the inherited family name

  • first name

    the name that comes before the surname in English naming order

Usage Note

In English, the surname is also called the 'last name' or 'family name.' In many Asian cultures, the surname is written before the given name.

Common Mistakes

My surname name is Chen.
My surname is Chen.
'surname' already includes the idea of 'name', so adding 'name' is redundant.

surname — verb

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These terms all refer to the part of a person's name that identifies their family. 'Last name' is the most common term in American English and simply describes the name's position — it comes last in Western order. 'Family name' is preferred in British English and emphasizes the shared family connection rather than the position on a form. 'Patronymic' is a narrower, technical term for a surname derived from a father's personal name (like Johnson = 'son of John'), but not all surnames work this way — many come from places (Hill), occupations (Smith), or descriptions (Brown). For everyday use, 'surname' is the most neutral and widely understood term across varieties of English. For example, you would ask 'What is your surname?' on a formal application, while a friend might ask 'What's your last name?' in casual conversation.

last namefamily namepatronymic

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • under the surname
  • by the surname of
  • change of surname

Prepositions

Etymology

Anglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Surname' comes from Middle English 'surname', borrowed from Anglo-French 'surnum' — a combination of 'sur' (meaning 'above' or 'over') and 'num' (meaning 'name'). Originally it meant an extra name or nickname added to a person's given name, such as 'William the Conqueror' or 'John the Baker.' Over time, the word shifted to refer to the family name that is passed down from parents to children and shared by all members of a family group.