1.
[syn: surname, family name, cognomen, last name]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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 v.0.48:
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,
and surname himself by the name of Israel. --Isa. xliv.
5.
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And Simon he surnamed Peter. --Mark iii.
16.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
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]