the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
"After his father passed away, John decided to take his mother's surname to honor her side of the family."
An additional name, particularly those derived from a birthplace, quality, or achievement; an epithet.
"The village elders bestowed the surname Mountain upon every child born in the high valley to honor their ancestral home."
In plain English: A surname is your family name that you share with other members of your last generation.
"Please write down your first name and surname on this form."
Usage: A surname is the family name that follows your given name and identifies you as part of a specific lineage. Unlike nicknames or titles, it remains consistent across generations unless legally changed through marriage or court order.
To give a surname to.
"The judge ordered that his biological father's name be added as a surname to his birth certificate."
The word surname comes from the Old French term surnom, which was derived from Late Latin supernomen. This Latin phrase combines super, meaning "above," with nomen, meaning "name."