Definition of last name

The term "last name" is commonly used in English to refer to a family name or a surname, which is a personal identifier passed down from generation to generation. While the concept of a last name is widely understood today, the origin of the term itself is somewhat less clear. The use of a fixed family surname is a relatively recent development in European history. During the Middle Ages, individuals were primarily identified by their first name (or given name) and often a nickname, patronymic, or occupational prefix added to the first name to further distinguish people with the same first name. The concept of a family surname emerged in the 11th century in Europe, as people started to settle more permanently in one place, leading to greater population density and the need for more specific identification. Initially, surnames were often derived from a person's father's name, such as "Johnson" (son of John), or from the place of origin, such as "Green" (dweller in the green meadow). The origin of the term "last name" is less straightforward. The phrase "family name" has been used in English since the 14th century, but the term "last name" is a more recent invention, likely dating back to the mid-19th century. It is believed that the term "last name" was adopted to distinguish the family name from given names, as the use of middle names and double barrel surnames became more common. An alternative theory suggests that the term "last name" was coined to differentiate it from the "first names" used in the United States as required by law as part of the Social Security Act of 1935. While the origin of the term "last name" may not be perfectly clear, its usage has become well-established in modern English, and it remains a widely recognized and commonly used term to this day.