surname Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
    last name; family name; cognomen.

WordNet

Sur"name` noun
Etymology
Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.
Definitions
  1. A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name. ✍ Surnames originally designated occupation, estate, place of residence, or some particular thing or event that related to the person; thus, Edmund Ironsides; Robert Smith, or the smith; William Turner. Surnames are often also patronymics; as, John Johnson.
  2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. "My surname, Coriolanus." Shak. ✍ This word has been sometimes written sirname, as if it signified sire-name, or the name derived from one's father.
Sur*name" transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. surnommer.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Surnamed ; present participle & verbal noun Surnaming
Definitions
  1. To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to.
    Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isa. xliv. 5.
    And Simon he surnamed Peter. Mark iii. 16.

Webster 1913