why do you use your surname after your name?

Answer 1

Among the Asians(Chinese, Indo-Chinese, Japanese, etc), the prevailing habit is to place your surname Before your first and middle names.
It is a mark of putting your family, it's name and honor above you as the individual.

Among the Europeans, we once had only one name-our given name. But later on, it became more convenient to keep track of people and who they were generally related to by their last names. Napoleon was a big proponent of making everybody get their surnames.

Answer 2

I think I use a surname because, if there are 2 people with same names, then they can be known on the basis of their cast. Also, it helps to get to know about the religion, etc. of a person.

Answer 3

Currently, I DO NOT

But while I was in the States, I USED TO, when I am asked though, not all the time.

When it comes to formalities, I find it quite convenient to use the sure name. It really makes a difference.

In general, in the part of the world where I belong, LAST / SURE NAMES usually have meanings or it is like a SYMBOL...

In the western World; Europe & U.S.A. it is not usually the case...

Our names here (First, Middle & Sure ones) all mostly have meanings...being refered to Animals, Birds, Plants, Adjectives in general, things around you from the Static World of non-living things...etc.

I wonder for instance if the name JOHN has a meaning in English, but it is usual here to find someone whose name is PANTHER or FALCON or IRIS or CEILING WALL or CHARITABLE (when such names as translated into English)...

This should give an example of above said...

After all, A SURE NAME tends to avoid confusion amongst names when it comes to SUSPECION on someone's identity...

Hope this is convenient enough for an answer.

Answer 4

In ancient days in order to differenciate different religions and castes they were identified with their unique names. Later on probably based on their type of work or place of origin or for some other unknown reasons surnames were formed.

Thus, when a person is addressed with his surname, it was easy for the rest to understand his religion, caste, subcaste, type of work they were expected to do (especially in India/Asia).

Since, untouchability was predominant in India, these surnames helped to quickly identify the type of people and segregated them in order to favour or deprive the benefits to them.

Also, mainly it helped to select a suitable match for marriage with-in the caste or subcaste in order to have a cross breed.

Answer 5

surnames are used to tell our family names.But it was used by our great grand fathers to commuicate to their fellow men because there where no other address or street name or door no to commuicate. It had reverslly affected many commuities in the time of admissons, and job related enquiries. Now most people dont use their surnames.Time has changed and traditons have also changed.

Answer 6

The word "SUR" means 'tune'.
It goes well to rhyme one's name with a beautiful tune. That's why you use a SURname after your name !

Answer 7

Not always....In so many forms you have to fill in your surname first and then your first name....Just a tradition.

Answer 8

it will be a short form for u or else an identity of family or a sweet name which can be pronounced shortly if ur name is big.....

Answer 9

My culture celebrates individualism, so we put our personal names first. Then we honor our families second, as that is how they would want it.

Answer 10

Because it is in principle which needs to be understood that you have a family background.