High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name". In some Western countries, it is commonly called "last name", with the notable exception of Hungary, where, just like in China, Japan and in many other East Asian countries, the family name is placed before a person`s given name.