what is a surname?

Answer 1

A family name, surname, or last name is the part of a person's name that indicates to what family he or she belongs. Until the 12th century, most people throughout the world did not use or have a family name, and they were called by the single name they had (which was called a "first" or "given name" only after family names came into use). One of the most accepted theories for the origin of surname use attributes their introduction to the Normans and the Domesday Book of 1086. The use of surnames gradually became an accepted practice throughout Western Europe in the Middle Ages. In parts of the world, family names did not appear in common use until the 17th to 19th centuries, and they are unused in some cultures even today.

In most cultures in Africa and Asia, the family name is typically spoken and written first when referring to an individual. This order is often erroneously called the Eastern order because Europeans are most familiar with the examples of China, Japan and Korea. In most Western cultures, the family name is today given last, giving rise to the term last name for family name. However, even in some Western countries, the family name is used last only in writing and formal speech, and the inverse order is still very common in normal everyday speech. In addition, many if not most Western cultures originally used the family name first even in writing and formal speech. So in fact, the majority of the world's cultures still use the family name first.

In countries that use family names, these are most often used to refer to a stranger in a formal setting, often with the use of a title such as Mr. or Mrs. (or equivalent). The first name, given name, or personal name is the one used by friends, family, and other intimates.

Answer 2

A last name, or family name. In John Smith, Smith is the surname.

Answer 3

First name is 'given name': surname is either father's name or family name, or, in some cases the place name, depending on the custom followed in your family or community or the place that you belong to!

Answer 4

The same as a last name, or a family name.

Answer 5

SurName is like a Father name or Place Name.
Two or more persons have same Name.
So we have to differentciate each other.
So we use second or last name...

Answer 6

a last name or a family name

Answer 7

(Where are you from?)

A surname is someone's last name, or family name.
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Answer 8

Last name mostly or family name.

Answer 9

its your family name..