Surname Definition

sûrnām
surnamed, surnames, surnaming
noun
surnames
The family name, or last name, as distinguished from a given name.
Webster's New World
A name or epithet added to a person's given name (Ex.: Ivan the Terrible)
Webster's New World
1526, Tyndale's Bible, Acts I"‰23
Barsabas (whose syrname was Iustus).
Wiktionary
1590, Richard Harvey, Plaine Percevall the peace-maker of England, Sweetly indeuoring with his blunt persuasions to botch vp a reconciliation between Mar-ton and Mar-tother, B3
My sirname is Peace-Maker, one that is but poorely regarded in England.
Wiktionary

C."‰1607, William Shakespeare, Coriolanus, V"‰iii"‰171

To his sur-name Coriolanus longs more prideThen pitty to our Prayers.
Wiktionary
verb
surnamed, surnames
To give a surname to.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Surname

Noun

Singular:
surname
Plural:
surnames

Origin of Surname

  • From a variety of spellings in Middle English, from Norman and Old French surnom (“surname"), formed from Old French sur- ("super-"; earlier sor-, sour-, &c.) + nom (“name"), a calque of late Latin supernōmen and suprānōmen (“surname"), from Latin super- (“over, above, beyond") and nōmen (“name").

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English partial translation of Old French surnom sur- sur- nom name

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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