Surnamed: meaning, definitions and examples

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surnamed

 

[ ˈsɜːrname ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

name identifier

To surname someone means to give them a family name or last name. It can also refer to the action of identifying or labeling someone with a specific surname.

Synonyms

identify, label, name.

Examples of usage

  • He surnamed the child after his grandfather.
  • In many cultures, people are surnamed based on their lineage.
  • Her official documents surnamed her with her married name.

Translations

Translations of the word "surnamed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sobrenomeado

🇮🇳 उपनामित

🇩🇪 mit Nachnamen

🇮🇩 bernama

🇺🇦 прізвищем

🇵🇱 nazywany

🇯🇵 姓が付けられた

🇫🇷 nommé

🇪🇸 apellidado

🇹🇷 soyadıyla anılan

🇰🇷 성(姓)을 가진

🇸🇦 المسمى

🇨🇿 příjmenovaný

🇸🇰 priezviskom

🇨🇳 被命名为姓

🇸🇮 imenovan

🇮🇸 nafngiftur

🇰🇿 тегімен аталатын

🇬🇪 სახელობით

🇦🇿 soyadlı

🇲🇽 apellidado

Etymology

The word 'surname' originates from the Old French 'surnom', which combines 'sur' (meaning 'over' or 'above') and 'nom' (meaning 'name'). This reflects its function of serving as an additional name above the given name. The use of surnames began in the Middle Ages as a way to identify individuals beyond their first names, particularly as populations grew and the need for distinct identification increased. Over time, surnames often became hereditary, passed down through generations, and they are now an essential part of naming conventions in many cultures. The form 'surnamed' is a verb form that emerged from this concept as individuals began to be formally identified with these hereditary names.