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
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Recent Examples of family name
Having spent decades in the industry and commanding a four-generations family name, Clark Credle’s film community has come together to support his journey of recovery.
—
Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Among them is Gao, who grew up in the remote mountains of Guizhou and asked to only be identified by her family name.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
On the opening day of the building that bears her family name, there were many details that drew Laurie McGrath’s eye, but only one nearly brought her to tears.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Othram continued trying to flip the DNA profile from the knife sheath into a family name.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for family name
Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Among them is Gao, who grew up in the remote mountains of Guizhou and asked to only be identified by her family name.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
On the opening day of the building that bears her family name, there were many details that drew Laurie McGrath’s eye, but only one nearly brought her to tears.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Othram continued trying to flip the DNA profile from the knife sheath into a family name.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for family name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family name
Noun
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The Marvin's Room star originally changed her surname to Keaton, her mother's maiden name, because there was another actress named Diane Hall in the Actors' Equity Association, according to Vogue.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Many descendants of the original settlers — with surnames like Crockett, Parks and Thomas — have remained to this day.—
Julie Depenbrock,
NPR,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Both last names were withheld by organizers for safety reasons.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Sep. 2025
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This article was updated to correct James Conner's last name in the headline.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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