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# surname

noun (a surname, surnames)

«surname» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A surname is your family name, the name you share with your family, which usually comes last in English names (in «Tom Smith», «Smith» is the surname). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#m1)

### In the lessons

In school surnames are used in registers, alphabetical lists and when writing to teachers (Mrs Patel, Mr Jones). In history surnames often came from jobs (Smith, Baker), places (Hill) or fathers' names (Johnson = John's son). In online safety pupils learn not to share their full name and surname with strangers. Phrases: «first name and surname», «family name», «last name».

### Examples

- Write your first name and your surname on the sheet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x1)
- My surname is Murphy, like my dad's. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x2)
- The register is in order of surname. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x3)
- «Baker» is a surname that came from a job. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x4)
- Some people change their surname when they get married. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x5)
- Don't put your surname on public posts online. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x6)
- Her surname is hard to spell, so she spells it out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x7)
- In Chinese names, the surname comes first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x8)
- "Oh, they're the surnames of some of the star families. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/#x9)

### Note

Countable: «a surname». In the USA people usually say «last name». Not the same as «nickname». In alphabetical order by surname, compare the first letters, then the second, and so on (Brown before Browning).

## In Jewish tradition

God calls Cyrus by name, and people take on the name of Jacob or Israel as a sign that they belong to God.

**Interpretation.** Tradition sees taking the name Israel as a sign of loyalty to God and His people.

### Examples

- For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel Mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. (Prophets ISA.45.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surname/#x1)
- One shall say: 'I am the LORD'S'; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. (Prophets ISA.44.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surname/#x2)

### Note

Countable: «a surname». In the USA people usually say «last name». Not the same as «nickname». In alphabetical order by surname, compare the first letters, then the second, and so on (Brown before Browning).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «surname» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surname/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«surname» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/surname.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «surname» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surname/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«surname» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/surname.html) on Mova free.