1
as in family names
a name shared by members of a family
judging from your surname, I'd guess that your family is Italian
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in nicknames
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
"da Vinci" was Leonardo's surname but not his family name, Vinci being the town near Florence where the great artist was born
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surnames
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
They have been married since 1999, combining their previous surnames, True and Frost.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Unoaerre, previously known as Gori & Zucchi from the surnames of the two founders Leopoldo and Carlo, is credited with having spurred the industrialization of what was previously a local craft largely dependent on small, artisanal workshops and ateliers based in the town.
—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Such hospitality was reserved for a narrow category of humanity, resembling as closely as possible those local barons whose surnames crusted the stones of local cemeteries.
—
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
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
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.
—
Lisa Milbrand,
Parents,
1 Apr. 2026
Hispanic surnames Huff accused Zamora of mounting a primary challenge against her — rather than seeking an open seat or one held by a Latino judge — because of Huff’s race.
—
Molly Smith,
San Antonio Express-News,
20 Mar. 2026
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.
—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Star individuals, teams, the language of the sport, anagrams, players with food in their surnames and so much more — there is an enormous amount of fun to be had with soccer trivia and wordplay.
—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
They have been married since 1999, combining their previous surnames, True and Frost.
—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Unoaerre, previously known as Gori & Zucchi from the surnames of the two founders Leopoldo and Carlo, is credited with having spurred the industrialization of what was previously a local craft largely dependent on small, artisanal workshops and ateliers based in the town.
—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Such hospitality was reserved for a narrow category of humanity, resembling as closely as possible those local barons whose surnames crusted the stones of local cemeteries.
—
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
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
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.
—
Lisa Milbrand,
Parents,
1 Apr. 2026
Hispanic surnames Huff accused Zamora of mounting a primary challenge against her — rather than seeking an open seat or one held by a Latino judge — because of Huff’s race.
—
Molly Smith,
San Antonio Express-News,
20 Mar. 2026
For her and many other Iranians who spoke to CNN – their surnames withheld to protect their identities – the past three weeks have been filled with a sense of hopelessness and fear.
—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surnames
Noun
-
The estate has a long, storied history under many family names, but in 1575, the Essenault family rechristened it by contracting their family name to Issan.
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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.
Noun
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The painting is an abstract map of Chicago titled after one of the city's many nicknames that originated in a Carl Sandburg poem.
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However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball’s Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, ‘(a) Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…’.
Verb
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Sinner, the 2024 Miami Open champion, became the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double — winning Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back — and the first in history to win the double without losing a set.
-
Let people follow problems across functions, not titles up a ladder.
Noun
-
McHale and Dempsey's characters are both Mark but have different last names.
-
Three of the fans — who identified themselves as Mohsen, Mehrdad and Amir, but declined to give their last names — later told The Athletic that stadium officials did not give them a reason for taking the banners.
Noun
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The Chawla said multiple campaign road signs were vandalized with racial epithets in two separate incidents.
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His nanny was his fierce protector and insulated him from the depredations of Nazis and their enablers, baptizing him and teaching him to handily hurl anti-Jewish epithets to fit in.
Verb
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The lawsuit also names as a defendant ACF Property Management, which manages the Commons at Walnut Creek shopping center where the massage spa is located.
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Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq are all still standing, and the memorandum names Lebanon as a covered front.
Verb
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Here, this guest styles her layered jersey with denim jorts, Adidas sneakers, and an oversized tan bag.
-
The 11-foot cord is also notably the longest on this list—a practical plus for anyone who styles away from their outlet.
Verb
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On the left, an approach that Neem terms post-American has taken root, pushing the arguments of the 1970s in an ever more emphatic direction.
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Perez, a Cuban-American attorney who terms out from the House this year, has emerged as one of Florida Republicans’ most influential and divisive figures.
Cite this Entry
“Surnames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surnames. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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