Surname

Surname

A surname, family name, or last name is the portion of a personal name that indicates a person's family (or tribe or community, depending on the culture). Depending on the culture, all members of a family unit may have identical surnames or there may be variations based on the cultural rules.

Etymology and Definitions

The term "surname" is derived from the Anglo-Norman surnoun, which is in turn derived from the Old French sourenom, meaning "surname". The term and the concept are both used in the Western tradition of surnames, which often are called "family names".

History

Surnames have been in existence for several centuries, and their use and form have evolved over time and across cultures. The earliest surnames were often based on a person's occupation, place of residence, or personal characteristics.

Surname Structures

The structure of surnames can be divided into three types: patronymic, matronymic, and conjugal.

Patronymic

A patronymic surname is derived from the father's name. This is the most common type of surname worldwide.

Matronymic

A matronymic surname is derived from the mother's name. This is less common than patronymic surnames.

Conjugal

A conjugal surname is a combination of the father's and mother's surnames. This is common in some cultures, such as in Spain and Latin America.

Surname Usage by Country

The usage of surnames varies greatly from country to country. Some countries, such as Iceland, do not use family names. In other countries, such as China, the family name is placed before the given name.

See Also

• Given name
• Middle name
• Name change
• Patronymic
• Matronymic

References

Surname Resources
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