I. ˈsərˌnām, ˈsə̄ˌ-, ˈsəiˌ- noun
Etymology: Middle English, from sur- + name
1.
a. : a name added onto an original or baptismal name from some pertinent or accidental circumstance (as occupation, place of residence, or physical appearance)
b. obsolete : a second name or an alternative title given to one (as a person, object, or place)
2.
a. : the name borne in common by members of a family as distinguished from an individualizing forename : the inherited last name taken by children and changed only legally (as by adoption or by a woman's taking her husband's name)
b. obsolete : a cognomen of the ancient Romans
II. transitive verb
: to give a surname to: as
a. : to give a family name to
an earlier family surnamed from that parish — Charles Partridge
b. : to give an additional name, title, or epithet to
his successor Cosmo, surnamed the Great — William Robertson †1793
the Joan of this story is surnamed Regan — Ken Smith
c. obsolete : to call by another or additional name : designate
the great pyramids, surnamed the world's wonders — William Lithgow