Surname

usgb/ˈsɜːrneɪm/
noun

The family name that people have in common with other family members. It is usually passed from one generation to the next.

My surname is Johnson, what's yours?
Visual representation of "surname" - The family name that people have in common with other family members. It is usually passed from one generation to the next.

Often appears as...

  • change one's surname
  • maiden surname
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "surname"
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Cultural Variance

Different cultures have diverse surname traditions and placements in a name sequence.

Illustration for Cultural Variance
In Hungary, the surname comes before the given name.
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Marriage Custom

It's common for one spouse to adopt the other's surname after marriage, but practices vary.

Illustration for Marriage Custom
Alex Taylor and Jordan Smith might choose to share a surname after marriage.
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Hereditary Significance

Surnames can indicate ancestry and are often passed down from parents to children.

Illustration for Hereditary Significance
The surname 'Johnson' suggests that an ancestor may have been named John.
Visual representation of the word "Surname"

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