Surname vs. Title — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 28, 2023
A surname is an individual's family name indicating lineage, while a title is a prefix or suffix denoting a person’s rank, role, or academic or professional qualification.
Difference Between Surname and Title
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Surname and title are integral components of a person's identity, serving different functions in societal and professional contexts. A surname, also known as a last name or family name, is a component of a person's name that signifies familial lineage, shared by members of the same family. On the other hand, a title is a formal designation, typically used as a prefix or suffix to a person's name, indicating one's professional, academic, or social rank or qualification, such as Doctor or Professor.
While surnames are primarily used to identify family relationships and ancestral lineage, titles are utilized to acknowledge an individual's achievements, status, or roles within professional, academic, or societal settings. Surnames are inheritable and usually fixed, denoting one’s family heritage, while titles can be acquired, earned, or bestowed upon an individual and may change over time reflecting one's evolving roles, ranks, or accomplishments.
The significance of a surname is predominantly related to personal identity and familial lineage, helping trace an individual's ancestry and familial relationships. In contrast, the significance of a title is more versatile, serving to convey respect, authority, and distinction in various domains such as employment, education, and society, offering insight into an individual’s qualifications, achievements, or standing in a specific field or community.
In usage, a surname is a constant element in a person's name, used in legal documents, communication, and daily interactions to identify an individual, often coupled with the given name. A title, however, is used selectively, primarily in formal contexts or situations where acknowledgment of authority, expertise, or rank is pertinent, accompanying one’s full name or used in place of the given name.
In essence, while the surname is a stable identifier, pointing to one's family and heritage, a title is a variable and contextual signifier, highlighting one’s roles, qualifications, or status in various spheres of life.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Indicates familial lineage.
Denotes rank, role, or qualification.
Usage
Fixed, used universally in identification
Used selectively in formal contexts.
Acquisition
Inherited from family.
Earned, bestowed, or acquired.
Significance
Related to family and ancestry.
Related to achievement, authority, status.
Changeability
Usually constant and unchanging.
Can change over time with roles or ranks.
Compare with Definitions
Surname
A designation used as an identifier of an individual's familial heritage.
The surname Smith is quite common in the United States.
Title
A formal designation used as a prefix or suffix to signify one’s rank, role, or qualification.
With her PhD, she earned the title of Doctor.
Surname
The name borne in common by members of a family.
Every member of the Johnson family shares the same surname.
Title
A name that describes a person’s job or position within an organization.
He holds the title of Chief Executive Officer at the company.
Surname
A fixed component of one’s name indicating lineage.
The use of the mother's or father's surname can vary by culture.
Title
A descriptive heading indicating the nature of an item, such as a book or movie.
The book’s title attracted a wide range of readers.
Surname
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.
Title
A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification.
Surname
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.
Title
The name of a book, composition, or other artistic work
The author and title of the book
Surname
A nickname or epithet added to a person's name.
Title
A name that describes someone's position or job
Leese assumed the title of director general
Surname
To give a surname to.
Title
The position of being the champion of a major sports competition
Davis won the world title for the first time in 1981
Surname
(obsolete) An additional name, particularly those derived from a birthplace, quality, or achievement; an epithet.
Title
A right or claim to the ownership of property or to a rank or throne
The buyer acquires a good title to the goods
A grocery family had title to the property
Surname
(obsolete) An additional name given to a person, place, or thing; a byname or nickname.
Title
(in church use) a fixed sphere of work and source of income as a condition for ordination.
Surname
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.
James is my first name, and Smith is my surname.
Title
Give a name to (a book, composition, or other work)
A report titled The Lost Land
Surname
(Classical studies) The cognomen of Roman names.
Title
An identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work.
Surname
A clan.
Title
A general or descriptive heading, as of a book chapter.
Surname
(transitive) To give a surname to.
Title
A written work that is published or about to be published
The titles in the publisher's fall catalog.
Surname
(transitive) To call by a surname.
Title
A division of a legal code, generally consisting of multiple related statutes.
Surname
A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.
Title
Often titles Written material to be read by viewers that is included in a film or television show, typically presenting credits, narration, or dialogue.
Surname
An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen.
Title
A written piece of translated dialogue superimposed at the bottom of the frame during a film; a subtitle.
Surname
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.
And Simon he surnamed Peter.
Title
A formal appellation attached to the name of a person as a sign of office, rank, profession, or hereditary privilege.
Surname
The name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
Title
A descriptive name; an epithet
The dubious title of the worst bowler in the league.
Surname
An inheritable family name typically coming after the given name.
Her first name is Emma, and her surname is Thompson.
Title
A right or claim, or the basis of a right or claim
"The weight of a fish is commonly its only title to fame" (Henry David Thoreau).
Surname
A legal identifier used universally in documentation and communication.
Her passport lists her surname before her given name.
Title
A form of ownership free of valid claims by other parties.
Title
The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right of possession or control.
Title
The instrument, such as a deed, that constitutes this evidence.
Title
Sports & Games A championship
Which boxer won the heavyweight title?.
Title
A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England.
Title
A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head.
Title
To give a name or title to.
Title
An appellation given to a person or family to signify either veneration, official position, social rank, the possession of assets or properties, or a professional or academic qualification. See also :Category:Titles
Title
(property law) Legal right to ownership of a property; a deed or other certificate proving this.
A good title to an estate, or an imperfect title
Title
In canon law, that by which a beneficiary holds a benefice.
Title
A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.
Title
The name of a book, film, musical piece, painting, or other work of art.
I know the singer's name, but not the title of the song.
Title
A publication.
The retailer carries thousands of titles.
Buyers of the new video game console can choose from three bundled titles.
Title
A section or division of a subject, as of a law or a book.
Title
A written title, credit, or caption shown with a film, video, or performance.
The titles scrolled by too quickly to read.
Title
(bookbinding) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
Title
The subject of a writing; a short phrase that summarizes the entire topic.
Title
A division of an act of law
Title II of the USA PATRIOT Act
Title
(sports) The recognition given to the winner of a championship in sports.
Title
A long title.
Title
A short title.
Title
(transitive) To assign a title to; to entitle.
Title
An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.
Title
The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.
Title
The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
Title
A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.
Title
An appellation of dignity, distinction, or preëminence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.
With his former title greet Macbeth.
Title
A name; an appellation; a designation.
Title
That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.
Title
A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.
Title
To call by a title; to name; to entitle.
Hadrian, having quieted the island, took it for honor to be titled on his coin, "The Restorer of Britain."
Title
A heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with;
Title 8 provided federal help for schools
Title
The name of a work of art or literary composition etc.;
He looked for books with the word `jazz' in the title
He refused to give titles to his paintings
I can never remember movie titles
Title
A general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work;
The novel had chapter titles
Title
The status of being a champion;
He held the title for two years
Title
A legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it;
He signed the deed
He kept the title to his car in the glove compartment
Title
An identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. Mr. or General;
The professor didn't like his friends to use his formal title
Title
An established or recognized right;
A strong legal claim to the property
He had no documents confirming his title to his father's estate
He staked his claim
Title
(usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action;
The titles go by faster than I can read
Title
An appellation signifying nobility;
`your majesty' is the appropriate title to use in addressing a king
Title
An informal right to something;
His claim on her attentions
His title to fame
Title
Give a title to
Title
Designate by an identifying term;
They styled their nation `The Confederate States'
Title
A term used to denote honor, respect, or recognition of authority or status.
The title Sir is often used to address a knighted individual.
Title
An appellation indicating ownership or possession, such as in property.
They have a legal title to the land.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of a title?
The primary purpose of a title is to denote a person’s rank, role, or professional or academic qualification.
Can surnames change?
Surnames are usually stable, but they can change, typically due to marriage, adoption, or personal choice.
Can titles be acquired?
Yes, titles can be acquired, earned, or bestowed, reflecting achievements, roles, or ranks.
Is a surname inheritable?
Yes, surnames are typically inherited from one’s parents and shared by family members.
Can a title indicate ownership?
Yes, the term “title” can also refer to legal ownership or the right to possession, as in property titles.
What is the main function of a surname?
The main function of a surname is to indicate an individual’s familial lineage and heritage.
Is a surname a legal requirement?
Yes, a surname is a legal identifier, required on official documents like birth certificates and passports.
Is a title mandatory in professional settings?
While not mandatory, titles are often used in professional settings to signify authority, expertise, or role.
How is a surname typically positioned in a name?
A surname is typically positioned last in many cultures, following the given name(s).
Are surnames used in all cultures in the same manner?
No, the usage, formation, and inheritance of surnames can significantly vary across different cultures.
Can a title signify respect?
Yes, titles are often used to convey respect and acknowledgment of an individual’s status or achievements.
Are surnames universal?
While the concept of family names exists in many cultures, the positioning and inheritance of surnames can vary widely.
Can one have multiple titles?
Yes, an individual can hold multiple titles, reflecting various roles, qualifications, or honors they possess.
Can a surname indicate ethnicity or origin?
Often, surnames can suggest an individual’s ethnic background or geographical origin.
Can a title be a prefix or suffix?
Yes, a title can be used as a prefix before a name (e.g., Dr. Smith) or as a suffix following a name (e.g., John Smith, PhD).
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
