family name

noun

Synonyms of family namenext

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 club championship board boasts its fair share of the family name, too. Lee Cowan, CBS News, 3 May 2026 Just like her brothers, Rani was given a family name. Jessica Booth, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 His family name, going way back to Spain, was originally Cantenys before it got shortened. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 And Jimmy Carter’s brother Billy cashed in on the family name by selling beer. Bernard Condon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 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 5 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

family name

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on family name

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster