Adjacent Words

Surname definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SUR'NAME, n. [L. super and nomen.]
1. An additional name; a name or appellation added to the baptismal or christian name,and which becomes a family name. Surnames, with us, originally designated occupation, estate, place of residence, or some particular thing or event that related to the person. Thus William Rufus or red; Edmund Ironsides; Robert Smith,or the smith; William Turner.
2. An appellation added to the original name.
My surname Coriolanus.
SURNA'ME, v.t. To name or call by an appellation added to the original name.
Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah 44.
And Simon he surnamed Peter. Mark 3.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name) [syn: surname, family name, cognomen, last name]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Date: 14th century 1. an added name derived from occupation or other circumstance ; nickname 1 2. the name borne in common by members of a family II. transitive verb Date: 15th century to give a surname to

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a Christian or first name. 2 archaic an additional descriptive or allusive name attached to a person, sometimes becoming hereditary. --v.tr. 1 give a surname to. 2 give (a person a surname). 3 (as surnamed adj.) having as a family name. Etymology: ME, alt. of surnoun f. AF (as SUR-(1), NOUN name)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Surname Sur"name`, n. [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.] 1. A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name. Note: Surnames originally designated occupation, estate, place of residence, or some particular thing or event that related to the person; thus, Edmund Ironsides; Robert Smith, or the smith; William Turner. Surnames are often also patronymics; as, John Johnson. 2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. ``My surname, Coriolanus.'' --Shak. Note: This word has been sometimes written sirname, as if it signified sire-name, or the name derived from one's father.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Surname Sur*name", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surnamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Surnaming.] [Cf. F. surnommer.] To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to. Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. --Isa. xliv. 5. And Simon he surnamed Peter. --Mark iii. 16.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(surnames) Your surname is the name that you share with other members of your family. In English speaking countries and many other countries it is your last name. She'd never known his surname... N-COUNT

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

sur'-nam (kanah; epikalein): A word derived from the French., meaning "an additional name"; in modern English always the family name of a person. Indeed, the spelling "surname" in the King James Version 1 Macc 1:10; 2:2; 6:43 may be due to a confusion with "sire's name." But the custom of family names was entirely unknown among the Hebrews. The word is used twice in the King James Version of the Old Testament, namely, Isa 44:5; 45:4. The Hebrew word means "to give flattering or honorary titles." In the former passage foreigners are so envious of the prosperity of the Jews that they are anxious to be surnamed by the name of Israel, i.e. to be enrolled as members of the Jewish nation. In the latter case Yahweh gives Cyrus an honorary title, namely, "servant of Yahweh," and thus appoints him to be His instrument in the restoration of His people. The same word is rendered in Job 32:21, the King James Version "give flattering titles." Elihu declares his intention to examine the situation without fear or favor. He will not allow such high-sounding titles as "Your Worship" or "My Lord" to stand in his way. He will not be overawed by Job's social position. In the New Testament the word is used in the case of Peter--Simon whose surname is Peter (Ac 10:5,32; 11:13); of Mark--John whose surname was Mark (Ac 12:12,25; 15:37); of Judas--surnamed Iscariot (Lu 22:3); of Barsabbas--who was surnamed Justus (Ac 1:23); and of Judas--surnamed Barsabbas (Ac 15:22). It was a widespread custom in the ancient world to give honorary and symbolical titles. our Lord surnamed Simon Peter (Mr 3:16), and James and John Boanerges (Mr 3:17). Ac 15:37 the King James Version has "surname" for the simple "call" (so the Revised Version (British and American)).

T. Lewis

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Cognomen, family name, patronymic.