surname

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: sur=name

CIDE DICTIONARY

surname, n. [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.].

•  A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.  [1913 Webster]

  " 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]
•  An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

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

surname, v. t. [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."  [1913 Webster]
"And Simon he surnamed Peter."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

surname, 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)

ROGET THESAURUS

surname

Nomenclature

N nomenclature, naming, nuncupation, nomination, baptism, orismology, onomatopoeia, antonomasia, name, appelation, appelative, designation, title, heading, rubric, caption, denomination, by-name, epithet, style, proper name, praenomen, agnomen, cognomen, patronymic, surname, cognomination, eponym, compellation, description, antonym, empty title, empty name, handle to one's name, namesake, term, expression, noun, byword, convertible terms, technical term, cant, named, hight, ycleped, known as, what one may well, call fairly, call properly, call fitly, nuncupatory, nuncupative, cognominal, titular, nominal, orismological, beggar'd all description.