What is the Difference Between Family Name and Surname?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms "family name" and "surname" both refer to the name shared by all the members of the same family, and they are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences in their usage and positioning in names across various cultures.
- In Western culture, surnames, also known as family names, are placed after the given name (e.g., John Doe).
- In many East Asian cultures, the family name or surname is placed before the given name (e.g., Doe Jin).
In both cases, the family name/surname indicates family membership and is used to identify individuals within their family context. The choice between using "family name" or "surname" may depend on the specific cultural context or the preference of the person being addressed. The terms "last name" and "first name" are also used in English-speaking countries to refer to the family name and given name, respectively.
Comparative Table: Family Name vs Surname
The difference between a family name and a surname lies in their purpose and usage. Here is a table summarizing their differences:
| Family Name | Surname |
|---|---|
| Use to link individuals within the same family or lineage | Indicates a person's last name with historical or family significance |
| Common in usage, especially among relatives | Less common in usage, often associated with specific individuals or families |
| Examples: Hasa, Bhatia, Patel | Examples: Smith, Johnson, Rodriguez |
A family name, also known as a last name or surname, is a part of a person's name that indicates their family or lineage. It is typically shared by individuals within the same family or lineage and is used to connect them. On the other hand, a surname is a person's last name and often has historical or family significance. Surnames are less common in usage and are more often associated with specific individuals or families.
- Surname vs First Name
- Forename vs Surname
- Surname vs Last Name
- Family Name vs Given Name
- First Name vs Last Name
- Family vs Families
- Family vs Relatives
- Business Name vs Company Name
- Business Name vs Trading Name
- Family vs Kinship
- Family Tree DNA vs Ancestry DNA
- Suffix vs Prefix
- Ancestry vs Heritage
- Spelling vs Pronunciation
- Formal vs Informal
- Lawyer vs Solicitor
- Heredity vs Hereditary
- Hominid vs Hominine
- Last vs the Last