family names
Lineage-identifying last words
Family names are surnames—the inherited portion of a person's name that identifies lineage or ancestry, as distinct from given names chosen at birth.
Most cultures place family names last (Smith, García, Nakamura), though some place them first (as in Chinese, Hungarian, and Japanese naming conventions).
The family name passes from parent to child.
Also called last names or surnames.
- matronymicName from mother's name
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- ancestral recordsDocumentation of lineage
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
maiden name · ancestor · passing down · Ellis Island · cognomen · record · hereditary titles · hyphenated · naming conventions · birth · dynasty · old money · heritage · tribe · tombstone · bloodline · register · birth certificate
- Clan & Kinshipkinship, lineage, ancestry, bloodlines, blood ties
- kinshipmother, father, sister, brother, children
- namessurnames, first name, last name, given name, nicknames
- namingnomenclature, nicknames, naming conventions, aliases, monikers
- zoologymammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects
- chore chartstickers, checkboxes, stars, magnets, reward system
family namesgiven names
Individual's personal appellations
first names · forenames · personal names · Christian names · birth names
family namesstage names
Performers' professional pseudonyms
pen names · pseudonyms · aliases · assumed names · unique identifiers
family namesnicknames
Informal substitute names
pet names · diminutives · terms of endearment · familiar names
family, surname, names, unfamiliar, families, familial, familiarize, familiarly, family name