family name

Definition of family namenext
as in surname
a name shared by members of a family searched for their family name on a popular genealogy website

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of family name But life-long Lubbockites will remember the family name from its first business, a burrito shop, which launched in 1992 and fed Texas Tech Red Raiders until 2003. Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025 The other is owned by Hideki Araki, whose family name was once Park. New York Times, 13 Dec. 2025 During a recent chat with Vogue Scandinavia, the Naked Gun star opened up about her growing desire to embrace her Finnish history by taking on her family name. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025 Askin was born into the Durst clan — the grandson of founder Joseph Durst — and sold commercial real estate for years in the family name. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for family name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family name
Noun
  • Bridgerton Season 2 reimagined Kate—who has pale skin and the surname Sheffield in The Viscount Who Loved Me—as Indian.
    Kat Moon, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Caballero was his Cuban mother’s surname, Montañés his stepfather’s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Among the protesters was Jamie, a White Bear Lake music teacher who declined to give his last name.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
  • This is now at least the third auto repair business to shut down at that Atlantic Avenue location after a slew of complaints, and our investigations found that people with the same last name – Quiles – helped create or manage all three businesses.
    Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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