as in surname
a name shared by members of a family
searched for their family name on a popular genealogy website
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of family name
De Rothschild and her husband, Benjamin, were also in the midst of a battle with Benjamin’s cousin, David de Rothschild, regarding who could use the family name for their businesses.
—
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
There is pride in the family name.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
In fact, the Drive doesn't even include the tent stake puller at the center of the model family name.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
However, unlike similar programs, these folks have to stay true to their Southern roots and family names, a difficult feat in today’s modern world.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family name
Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
There is pride in the family name.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
In fact, the Drive doesn't even include the tent stake puller at the center of the model family name.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
However, unlike similar programs, these folks have to stay true to their Southern roots and family names, a difficult feat in today’s modern world.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for family name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family name
Noun
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Roboz was a Hungarianized version of her surname, though still considered Jewish in origin.—
Marcy Thompson,
Scientific American,
16 Apr. 2026
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The top five American surnames — Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown and Jones — remained unchanged from 2010 to 2020, but Asian surnames surged to become the fastest-growing in the decade.—
Mike Schneider,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Cook made light of the remark, replacing his last name with the Apple logo on his Twitter profile.—
Lola Murti,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Many of the winemakers in Alsace have a combination of French and German first and last names because the vines on the other side of the Rhine River are planted in German soil.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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