Surname vs. Patronymic: What's the Difference?

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)