Surname

surname
    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}]
    

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.
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         Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord,
         and surname himself by the name of Israel. --Isa. xliv.
                                                  5.
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         And Simon he surnamed Peter.             --Mark iii.
                                                  16.
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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.
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   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.
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   2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. "My
      surname, Coriolanus." --Shak.
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   Note: This word has been sometimes written sirname, as if it
         signified sire-name, or the name derived from one's
         father.
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SURNAME. A name which is added to the christian name, and which, in modern 
times, have become family names. 
     2. They are called surnames, because originally they were written over 
the name in judicial writings and contracts. They were and are still used 
for the purpose of distinguishing persons of the same name. They were taken 
from something attached to the persons assuming them, as John Carpenter, 
Joseph Black, Samuel Little, &c. See Name.