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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Before that, Prince William and Prince Harry did the same, taking on their father’s former title of Wales as their surname in school.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
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The surname on the back of his jersey — one fans can now buy thanks to NIL — carries the weight of massive expectations.—
Shane Shoemaker,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Eden and Feven Adugna's last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this report.—
Brenda Ordonez,
Fox 19 Cincinnati,
3 Sep. 2025
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Reportedly, before William and Kate had this title, when they were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their children used Cambridge as a last name.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Family name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family%20name. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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