family name

noun

: surname sense 2

Synonyms of family name

• surname
• last name

Examples of family name in a Sentence

Her family name is Smith.

searched for their family name on a popular genealogy website

Recent Examples on the Web

Her father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, changed the family name to Hepburn-Ruston before marrying van Heemstra in Batavia in 1926. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Ripp admits that part of the goal here is to restore credit for Mazur and perhaps even to his own family name. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Gere acknowledged that his family name inevitably complicates perceptions of his success. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

But rather than relying on his family name, he's earned his own reputation through years of touring, collaborating, and developing a sound that's distinctly his own. — Sid Evans, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for family name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Kids Definition

family name

noun

: surname sense 2