User Contributed Dictionary
Noun
surnames- Plural of surname
Verb
surnames- third-person singular of surname
Extensive Definition
A surname is a name added to a given name and
is part of a personal
name. In many cases, a "surname" is a family name;
the family-name meaning first appeared in 1375. Many
dictionaries use "surname" as a synonym of "family name."
Surnames are often influenced by common elements:
the name of the person's father or
mother,
the person's geographical origin, the person's occupation, or a
descriptive nickname for the person. When they were created, they
answered one of the following questions: Who is this person related
to? Where is this person from? What does this person do for a
living? What is his or her most prominent feature?
For instance, the names Smith and Cooper may
originate from the blacksmith and cooper
metal work occupations, respectively. Names such as Cohen, may denote a
prominent religious background; Cohen is a name usually found among
male descendants of Jewish priests.