family name
Generationally passed designation
A family name is the surname shared by members of a family, passed down through generations—typically from father to children in Western cultures: Her family name is Rodriguez.
The term distinguishes inherited surnames from given names chosen at birth.
In some contexts, family name emphasizes lineage or reputation: Don't disgrace the family name.
Hereditary family identifier
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- descentDownward slope or lineage
pedigree · dynasty · house · lineage · kinship · forebears · ancestors · progenitors
Name from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
- cognomenFamily name or nickname
- surnameHereditary family identifier
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
byname · hyphenated · double-barreled · spelling · pronunciation · anglicized · transliterated · romanized
Underground nutrient absorbers
- originStarting point or source
- homelandOne's native land
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- cultureCollective social practices
ethnicity · birthplace · customs · motherland · fatherland · inheritance · birthright · legacy
Informal designation for someone
- appellationName or title given
- designationFormal name or title
- titleFormal honorific or name
- aliasAdopted false name
pseudonym · nickname · handle · initials · monogram · signature · namesake · eponym
Official record of entries
- recordsStored data or albums
- certificateFormal written attestation
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- vital recordsOfficial life event documentation
census · immigration · naturalization · official · genealogist · archives · heraldry · coat of arms
surname
Hereditary family identifier
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
descent · pedigree · dynasty · house · lineage · kinship · forebears · ancestors · progenitors · forefathers
patronymic
Name from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
- cognomenFamily name or nickname
- surnameHereditary family identifier
epithet · byname · hyphenated · double-barreled · spelling · pronunciation · anglicized · transliterated · romanized
roots
Underground nutrient absorbers
culture · ethnicity · birthplace · customs · motherland · fatherland · inheritance · birthright · legacy · heirloom
moniker
Informal designation for someone
- appellationName or title given
- designationFormal name or title
- titleFormal honorific or name
alias · pseudonym · nickname · handle · initials · monogram · signature · namesake · eponym · adoption
registry
Official record of entries
- recordsStored data or albums
- certificateFormal written attestation
- registrationFormal recording of participation
vital records · census · immigration · naturalization · official · genealogist · archives · heraldry · coat of arms
- namesgiven names, first names, names, surnames, last names
- name typespatronymic, matronymic, nicknames, pseudonyms, pen names
- birthrightancestry, bloodline, heredity, parentage, pedigree
- familymother, father, parents, siblings, parent
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- family generationsgenerations, generation, grandparents, grandchildren, grandparent
family namegiven name
Personal name from birth
first name · forename · Christian name · personal name · birth name
name, family, familiar, nominate, unfamiliar, families, familial, nominal, familiarize