Surname

Surname
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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. ``My surname, Coriolanus.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: This word has been sometimes written sirname, as if it signified sire-name, or the name derived from one's father. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:
, ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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. [1913 Webster] Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surname — early 14c., name, title, or epithet added to a person s name, from sur above (see SUR (Cf. sur )) + NAME (Cf. name); modeled on Anglo Fr. surnoun surname (early 14c.), variant of O.Fr. surnom, from sur over + nom name. An O.E. wor …   Etymology dictionary

  • surname — [sʉr′nām΄] n. [ME < sur (see SUR 1) + name, infl. by earlier surnoun < OFr surnom < sur + nom < L nomen,NAME] 1. the family name, or last name, as distinguished from a given name 2. a name or epithet added to a person s given name (Ex …   English World dictionary

  • surname — index call (title) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • surname — [n] family name cognomen, last name, matronymic, metronymic, patronymic; concepts 268,683 …   New thesaurus

  • surname — ► NOUN ▪ a hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a forename …   English terms dictionary

  • Surname — Not to be confused with Suriname. A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define surname as a synonym of family name . In some Western countries, it is …   Wikipedia

  • surname — n. /serr naym /; v. /serr naym , serr naym /, n., v., surnamed, surnaming. n. 1. the name that a person has in common with other family members, as distinguished from a Christian name or given name; family name. 2. a name added to a person s name …   Universalium

  • surname — noun (esp. BrE) ADJECTIVE ▪ double barrelled (BrE) ▪ common ▪ Rossi is a common surname in Italy. VERB + SURNAME ▪ bear, have …   Collocations dictionary

  • surname — [[t]sɜ͟ː(r)neɪm[/t]] surnames N COUNT 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... The majority of British …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”