Definition of SURNAME

surname

Meanings

Plural: surnames

Noun

  • the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
  • The portion of a person's name that is generally hereditary or treated as an indicator of a person's family, which may be shared with other members of the family, or otherwise derived from their names in some fashion; distinguished from that person's given name(s).
  • Synonym of epithet, an additional name, particularly those derived from a birthplace, quality, or achievement.
  • Synonym of nickname, an additional name given to a person, place, or thing, a byname.
  • The cognomen of Roman names.
  • A clan.

Verb

  • To give a surname to.
  • To call by a surname.

Origin / Etymology

Inherited from Middle English surname, a partial calque of Old French surnum, surnoun (“surname; nickname”) (whence Middle English surnoun), from Late Latin supernōmen, suprānōmen (“surname”), from super- (“over, above, beyond”) and nōmen (“name”), equivalent to sur- + name.

Synonyms

cognomen, epithet, family name, last name, nickname, surname, to-name

Scrabble Score: 9

surname is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
surname is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
surname is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

surname is a valid Words With Friends word