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
The family name is kind of a big deal in Arlington.
—
Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2025
While the Lynch family name is known throughout metro Detroit for funeral homes, Paddy Lynch, now 41, and the third generation to work in the family business, is also an entrepreneur who is making a name for himself in unlikely fields.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Charles Oppenheimer knows his family name comes with a heavy responsibility.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for family name
Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2025
While the Lynch family name is known throughout metro Detroit for funeral homes, Paddy Lynch, now 41, and the third generation to work in the family business, is also an entrepreneur who is making a name for himself in unlikely fields.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Charles Oppenheimer knows his family name comes with a heavy responsibility.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for family name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for family name
Noun
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Andrew will now go by Mountbatten Windsor, the royal family's surname for direct descendants of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Baptista is Portuguese, and the baby’s name is a nod to her roots and her family surname.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Notable people with this last name include Brazilian soccer player Julio Baptista and rock musician Arnaldo Baptista.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
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For pet owner Tyler (who preferred not to use his last name), relocating from Napa to New York with his dog Bread meant jury-rigging a plan when no Bark flights were available on his travel date.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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