as in surname
a name shared by members of a family
searched for their family name on a popular genealogy website
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
According to the Associated Press, Abatti comes from a multigenerational farming family in California’s Imperial Valley, where the family name has long been associated with agricultural businesses and community leadership.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
In a new interview with mom Kris Jenner, Kardashian revealed the five sisters (and their sole brother Rob) all chip in for the party, in part because it's become so associated with the family name.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for family name
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
In a new interview with mom Kris Jenner, Kardashian revealed the five sisters (and their sole brother Rob) all chip in for the party, in part because it's become so associated with the family name.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for family name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family name
Noun
-
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most married men – 92% – keep their last names.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
His girlfriend, identified only by her last name, Arroyo, was restrained with zip ties and had a 2013 Hyundai Elantra stolen off the property.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
