family name

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The family name was Zhou (or Chou), which, in Chinese culture, comes first, as in the name of the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The family name, Vajra, is an ancient way of spelling the family’s surname, Vaira. Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Trump Mobile follows a long line of various products featuring the Trump family name that President Trump and his family have promoted, including the Trump meme coin, Trump sneakers and Trump guitars. Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 June 2025 For Cassity, turning the cemetery into an asset to the community has been a way to repair the family name, which was tarnished when his father, who died in 2020, and his brother Brent served jail time for fraud. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for family name

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of family name was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20name. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

family name

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on family name

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!