Surname vs. Patronymic — What's the Difference?

In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates their family, tribe or community.Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name, as the forename, or at the end; the number of surnames given to an individual also varies.

A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic.

A name shared in common to identify the members of a family, as distinguished from each member's given name. Also called family name, last name.

Of, relating to, or derived from the name of one's father or a paternal ancestor.

A nickname or epithet added to a person's name.

A name so derived.

To give a surname to.

Derived from one's father.

(obsolete) An additional name, particularly those derived from a birthplace, quality, or achievement; an epithet.

(by extension) Derived from one's ancestors.

(obsolete) An additional name given to a person, place, or thing; a byname or nickname.

A name acquired from one's father.

The name a person shares with other members of that person's family, distinguished from that person's given name or names; a family name.

(by extension) A name acquired from one's father's, grandfather's or earlier (male) ancestor's first name. Some cultures use a patronymic where other cultures use a surname or family name; other cultures (like Russia) use both a patronymic and a surname.

(Classical studies) The cognomen of Roman names.

Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.

A clan.

A modification of the father's name borne by the son; a name derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a family; the family name.

(transitive) To give a surname to.

A name derived with an affix (such as -son in English or O'- in Irish) from the name of your father or a paternal ancestor

(transitive) To call by a surname.

Of a patronymic name

A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.

An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen.

To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to.

The name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)