Sur*name" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surnamed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Surnaming.]
[Cf. F. surnommer.] To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give
a surname to.
Another shall subscribe with his hand unto
the Lord, and surname himself by the name of
Israel.
Isa. xliv. 5. And Simon he surnamed Peter.
Mark iii.
16.
Sur"name` (?), n. [Pref.
sur + name; really a substitution for OE.
sournoun, from F.
surnom. See Sur-,
and Noun, Name.]
1. A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.
&fist; Surnames originally
designated occupation, estate, place of residence, or some particular thing or event that
related to the person; thus, Edmund Ironsides; Robert Smith, or the smith; William Turner. Surnames are often also patronymics; as, John Johnson.
2. An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen. "My surname, Coriolanus." Shak.
&fist; This word has been
sometimes written sirname, as if it signified sire-name, or the name
derived from one's father.
Hear it pronounced