Surname

Sur*name" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surnamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surnaming.] [Cf. F. surnommer.] To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to.

Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

And Simon he surnamed Peter.

Sur"name` (?), n. [Pref. sur + name; really a substitution for OE. sournoun, from F. surnom. See Sur-, and Noun, Name.] 1. A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.

☞ Surnames originally designated occupation, estate, place of residence, or some particular thing or event that related to the person; thus, Edmund Ironsides; Robert Smith, or the smith; William Turner. Surnames are often also patronymics; as, John Johnson.

2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. "My surname, Coriolanus." Shak.

☞ This word has been sometimes written sirname, as if it signified sire-name, or the name derived from one's father.