What is a surname?

A surname, also known as a last name or family name, is a type of name that is passed down from one generation to the next in many cultures around the world. Surnames are usually inherited from a person's father or a combination of both parents' names in some cultures.

Surnames were originally used to identify people within a community or family group, which helped keep track of who was related to whom. In many cultures, a surname is associated with a certain family lineage or region and may be used to trace one's ancestry.

Surnames can be derived from a variety of sources, including occupation (e.g., Smith), physical features (e.g., Brown), geographic location (e.g., London), or even personal characteristics (e.g., Wise).

In some cultures, like Chinese or Korean, the surname is placed first and the given name is placed last. In others, like English or French, the given name is placed first and the surname is placed last.

Today, surnames continue to be an important part of personal identity and can provide interesting insights into a person's cultural background and heritage.