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
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The endless vowels of their surnames—Ruuttu, Saarinen, Ruotsalainen—sail through his mind like a song.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time of the Mendez court decision, segregation was widespread in California’s public schools, with children who had Mexican surnames routinely placed on separate campuses that received fewer resources than those serving White students.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
At least three members of the panel have Hispanic surnames.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
That history includes the surnames Hazeltine, Wilcox, Turner, Norton, Woodall, Willis, Bowman, Warner, Greenlaw and many more.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
From 1565 to 1898, the people of Las Islas Filipinas absorbed many of the Spaniards’ cultural traits, from their surnames and their attire to elements of their cuisine and language.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Beatrice and Eugenie's children do not have royal titles and use their fathers' surnames, reflecting their parents' wishes to raise them largely outside formal royal life.
—Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
In sports, some siblings are so accomplished that they can be recognized by only their surnames.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
The endless vowels of their surnames—Ruuttu, Saarinen, Ruotsalainen—sail through his mind like a song.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
At the time of the Mendez court decision, segregation was widespread in California’s public schools, with children who had Mexican surnames routinely placed on separate campuses that received fewer resources than those serving White students.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
At least three members of the panel have Hispanic surnames.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
That history includes the surnames Hazeltine, Wilcox, Turner, Norton, Woodall, Willis, Bowman, Warner, Greenlaw and many more.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
From 1565 to 1898, the people of Las Islas Filipinas absorbed many of the Spaniards’ cultural traits, from their surnames and their attire to elements of their cuisine and language.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Beatrice and Eugenie's children do not have royal titles and use their fathers' surnames, reflecting their parents' wishes to raise them largely outside formal royal life.
—Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surnames
Noun
-
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
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Everyone on both sides of my family has always used family names, which has been really important to me to continue only using family names with my children.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For those who do not recognize their names, maybe their nicknames will help.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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The shape of cup and saucer vine has led to its many nicknames, including cathedral bells and monastery bells.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Let people follow problems across functions, not titles up a ladder.—
May Habib,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Both titles hail from directors with whom Hawke has maintained a strong relationship.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana rules prohibit using members’ last names for privacy reasons, but granted permission for the use of Andrea’s last name as the winner.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Reyna, who like other immigrants interviewed asked that their last names not be published, fearing retribution, cleaned stalls on a dairy farm and now works at a manufacturing plant.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On that day, the mob hurled racist epithets, smoke bombs, and fists at him.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
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When the time came for Alan Cumming to cease deliberations, Michael was reduced to sputtering epithets in random sequences.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anthropic's lawsuit also names other federal agencies, including the departments of Treasury and State, after agency officials ordered employees to stop using Claude.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Anthropic’s lawsuit also names other federal agencies, including the departments of Treasury and State, after officials ordered employees to stop using Anthropic’s services.—
Matt O'Brien,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Harry Lambert, who styles the likes of Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, and Alexander Skarsgård, is known for spotlighting young talent, including Steve O Smith, SS Daley, and the still-in-school Macy Grimshaw.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
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What is your favorite thing about the way your partner styles themselves?—
Cierra Black,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Garamendi said the tools exist for Lara, who terms out of office next year, to ensure policyholders are paid in a timely manner.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
17 Dec. 2025
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Regrettably, no one terms the incident a Mass murder.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surnames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surnames. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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