as in surnames
a name shared by members of a family
please write your first name, middle initial, and last name at the top of the form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of last names
In the fall of 1975, officials assigned students to schools based on their grade levels and the first letter of their last names.
—
Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Enslaved people weren’t given last names.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The boys' last names have not been released by police.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Fox has named her gem the Fox-Ballou Diamond, after her and her partner's last names.
—Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
Their last names were not used.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Enslaved people weren’t given last names.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The boys' last names have not been released by police.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Fox has named her gem the Fox-Ballou Diamond, after her and her partner's last names.
—Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025
Their last names were not used.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for last names
surnames
Noun
-
Yuliia Kaveshnikova/Getty Images The new husband's last name is the same as u//Specken_zee_Doitch's first name, and because the couple have hyphenated each other's surnames, their last names are the same as u//Specken_zee_Doitch's full name.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Many younger Red Sox weren’t in the majors, or even drafted in ‘19, the last time the league allowed players to replace their surnames with nicknames on the back of their Players’ Weekend jerseys.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Last names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/last%20names. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share