1
as in family name
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 nickname
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of surname
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
And then there’s Brian Steel, whose sole flashy trait is his surname.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Chris Lau, CNN, 9 May 2023
The Chengdu police used social media on Wednesday to report that a 39-year-old man surnamed Chen was arrested on suspicion of opening a casino.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for surname
Noun
The new pope’s name, as well as his baptismal names, will be translated into Latin in the announcement but his former surname will remain in his native language.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
And then there’s Brian Steel, whose sole flashy trait is his surname.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Gansu authorities said the suspect, surnamed Hong, was questioned in the city of Dongguan in southern Guangdong province on May 5.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 9 May 2023
The Chengdu police used social media on Wednesday to report that a 39-year-old man surnamed Chen was arrested on suspicion of opening a casino.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for surname
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surname
Noun
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The father-son duo discussed their respective careers on screen, from nude scenes to embracing the family name.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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His paternal grandfather had migrated to Pennsylvania from Ukraine, became a coal miner and changed the family name from Kapurik.—
Sam Roberts,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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McCallum earned his nickname by repeatedly punching the body and head.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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It’s even named after his childhood nickname, Kurky.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The series, aptly titled Trainwreck, highlights the people who lived through the headline-making events, disasters and tragedies.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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Last month, Friends of Big Bear Valley launched a contest titled FledgeFest 2025 where fans could predict exactly when Sunny and Gizmo would each fly.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
His medical records and other sensitive health information were put under seal on Monday, and his last name is being withheld at his family’s request.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
2 June 2025
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There’s no biggest separation that the decision to not even share a last name.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
2 June 2025
Noun
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The film shows footage of counter-protesters coming onto campus, slinging epithets.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
17 May 2025
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Shiloh Hendrix, the Minnesota mom filmed repeatedly saying the N-word after being accused of using that epithet to berate a child, has raised more than $750,000 since launching a fundraising campaign one week ago.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2025
Verb
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President Donald Trump's former lawyer Jay Sekulow has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging that the defendants misled the police in the 2022 murder investigation of an employee of Sekulow's.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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It’s even named after his childhood nickname, Kurky.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The neckline can be adjusted to a halter-top or even strapless style, so there’s tons of styling potential in it.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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The performer was styled by Chantelle Thach, who also styles the likes of Kali Uchis.—
Mikelle Street,
Footwear News,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Pittman is termed out of office in December 2026 and has been pondering his next political move.—
Josh Kurtz,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
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The legislation also takes a hatchet to amortization, which is the depreciation of non-tangible assets often termed goodwill.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surname. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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