Definition

Noun: - The hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinguished from a personal given name; a surname. It is the part of a person's full name that indicates their family lineage.

Usage

The term "last name" is used to refer to the family name, which is typically placed after the given name (first name) in English-speaking cultures. It is used in formal and informal contexts to identify family connections.

Examples

• In identification:
  • Please write your last name on the top line of the form.
  • Her last name is Smith, the same as her parents.
• In distinction:
  • My first name is James, and my last name is Wilson.
  • They have different first names but share the same last name.

Advanced Usage

• "Maiden name": This is a specific type of last name, referring to a woman's family surname before marriage.
  • Her last name is now Johnson, but her maiden name was Parker.
• In formal or legal contexts, "last name" is synonymous with "surname" or "family name."

Variants and Related Words

• Surname (noun): A more formal synonym for "last name."
• Family name (noun): A term emphasizing the name shared by a family unit.
• Given name (noun): The personal name that typically precedes the last name; a first name.

Synonyms

• Surname
• Family name

Antonyms

• First name
• Given name
• Forename

Related Phrases

• To go by one's last name: To be addressed formally by one's surname.
  • In the military, soldiers often go by their last names.
• Last name basis: A level of formality where people use surnames to address each other.
  • The teacher and students were on a last name basis.

Noun

1. the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)