Surname — Law Dictionary

Surname

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A name which is added to the Christian name. In modem times, these have become family names. The family name is that which is continued from parent to child. 149 Iowa 672; 31 L. R. A. (N. S.) 1112. They are called "surnames," because originally they were written over (_sur) the name in judicial writings and contracts. They were and are still used for the purpose of distinguishing persons of the same name. They were taken from something attached to the persons assuming them; as, John Carpenter, Joseph Black, Samuel Little, etc. See "Name."

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A name which is added to the Christian name. In modern times these have become family names. They are called surnames, because originally' they were written over the name in judicial writings and contracts. See Name.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

The family name; the name over and above the Christian name. The part of a name which is not given in baptism; the last name; the name common to ali members of a famliy.

A Dictionary of Law

William C. Anderson · 1889

See Name, 1.