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
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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
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
Anna Halkidis, Parents, 16 June 2025
Harry and Meghan reportedly considered changing their children’s surname to Spencer after a delay in receiving their children's passports.
—Greta Bjornson, People.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surname
Noun
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
Verb
French Meaning: Blessed, according to Ancestry.com Similar Names and Variations: Benni, Benny, Bene
Famous Namesakes: Beni is typically a surname, but a few famous people around the world go by it, such as Japanese singer Beni and Belgian soccer player Béni Badibanga.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 16 June 2025
Harry and Meghan reportedly considered changing their children’s surname to Spencer after a delay in receiving their children's passports.
—Greta Bjornson, People.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surname
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surname
Noun
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The family name was Zhou (or Chou), which, in Chinese culture, comes first, as in the name of the late Premier Zhou Enlai.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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The family name, Vajra, is an ancient way of spelling the family’s surname, Vaira.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The 18-year-old, who goes by the nickname Eliza rather than Elizabeth, opened up about the emotional tug of war between honoring her own identity and meeting her family’s expectations in a recent Reddit post.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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Having an alternative nickname adds a special flavor to the world-building, giving the film additional layers.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Completing the set are a live album recorded at Montreux Jazz Festival in 2002, another recorded on the 2003 Reality Tour, and a collection titled Re:call 6, featuring 41 rarities, some available in physical formats for the first time.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
9 July 2025
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The four-show run, titled Meet Me In The Car, will open at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on Friday, Oct. 17, before heading to Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Monday, Oct. 20.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Rose also released a children’s book with Howard as her last name.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
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Carlos Santana, who is known musically just by his last name along with fellow bandmembers, was scheduled to perform at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio on April 22.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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The defendants, who were white, also used racial epithets toward Majors, prosecutors said.—
Kelly Puente,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Musk and Trump’s potent political alliance seemed to meet a dramatic end a month ago in an exchange of blistering epithets, with Trump threatening to go after Musk’s business interests, and Musk calling for Trump’s impeachment.—
Meg Kinnard,
Chicago Tribune,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Murray named a joint bid between satirical news outlet The Onion and the Connecticut families as the winner of the auction in November.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
5 July 2025
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There are boat ramps and fishing piers for anglers; a playground for the kids; walking and biking paths; an 18-hole disc golf course; and a floating restaurant, to name just a few amenities.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Verb
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No two rooms at 86 Cannon are the same—each is individually styled with its layout and architectural details, from vaulted ceilings to antique mantels; balconies to small terraces; or kitchenettes and wet bars.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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It can be styled on its own with your favorite pair of shorts or layered over a swimsuit or tank.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The election postponement will give current city commissioners and the mayor — who is termed out at the end of the year — an extra year in office.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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Even modern scientists had yet to recognize the features, with subsequent academic research in 2015 terming them dune decomposition chimneys.—
Mike Bezemek,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surname.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surname. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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