In biblical times, the concept of a surname as understood in modern contexts was not prevalent. However, the Bible does provide instances where individuals are identified by additional names or descriptors that function similarly to surnames. These identifiers often relate to lineage, tribal affiliation, or notable characteristics.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, individuals were often identified by their parentage or tribal association. For example, "son of" (Hebrew: ben) was a common way to denote lineage. This is seen in names like "Joshua son of Nun" (Joshua 1:1) and "David son of Jesse" (1 Samuel 17:58). Such identifiers served a similar purpose to surnames by distinguishing individuals within a community.

Tribal affiliations also acted as identifiers. For instance, the twelve tribes of Israel were named after the sons of Jacob, and individuals were often associated with their respective tribes, such as "Elijah the Tishbite" (1 Kings 17:1), indicating his origin from Tishbe in Gilead.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, surnames or additional names become more apparent, especially in the context of Roman and Greek influences. The use of surnames or additional identifiers helped distinguish between individuals with common first names. For example, "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matthew 4:18) and "James the son of Zebedee" (Matthew 10:2) illustrate the use of additional names or descriptors.

The Apostle Paul is another example, known as "Saul, who is also called Paul" (Acts 13:9). This reflects the practice of having a Hebrew name and a Roman name, which was common among Jews living in the Roman Empire.

Cultural and Theological Significance

The use of surnames or additional identifiers in the Bible underscores the importance of family, heritage, and community identity in biblical cultures. Names were not merely labels but carried significant meaning, often reflecting personal characteristics, divine encounters, or prophetic destinies.

In biblical theology, names and their meanings are often seen as reflective of God's purposes. For instance, the name "Israel," given to Jacob after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28), signifies "he struggles with God," highlighting a transformative encounter with the divine.

Conclusion

While the modern concept of a surname is not directly found in the Bible, the use of additional names and identifiers served a similar function in distinguishing individuals and highlighting their familial and tribal connections. These names often carried deep cultural and theological significance, reflecting the values and beliefs of the biblical world.1. (n.) A name or appellation which is added to, or over and above, the baptismal or Christian name, and becomes a family name.

2. (n.) An appellation added to the original name; an agnomen.

3. (v. t.) To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give a surname to.

SURNAME

sur'-nam (kanah; epikalein): A word derived from the French., meaning "an additional name"; in modern English always the family name of a person. Indeed, the spelling "surname" in the King James Version 1 Maccabees 1:10; 2:02; 6:43 may be due to a confusion with "sire's name." But the custom of family names was entirely unknown among the Hebrews. The word is used twice in the King James Version of the Old Testament, namely, Isaiah 44:5; Isaiah 45:4. The Hebrew word means "to give flattering or honorary titles." In the former passage foreigners are so envious of the prosperity of the Jews that they are anxious to be surnamed by the name of Israel, i.e. to be enrolled as members of the Jewish nation. In the latter case Yahweh gives Cyrus an honorary title, namely, "servant of Yahweh," and thus appoints him to be His instrument in the restoration of His people. The same word is rendered in Job 32:21, the King James Version "give flattering titles." Elihu declares his intention to examine the situation without fear or favor. He will not allow such high-sounding titles as "Your Worship" or "My Lord" to stand in his way. He will not be overawed by Job's social position. In the New Testament the word is used in the case of Peter-Simon whose surname is Peter (Acts 10:5, 32; Acts 11:13); of Mark-John whose surname was Mark (Acts 12:12, 25; Acts 15:37); of Judas-surnamed Iscariot (Luke 22:3); of Barsabbas-who was surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23); and of Judas-surnamed Barsabbas (Acts 15:22). It was a widespread custom in the ancient world to give honorary and symbolical titles. our Lord surnamed Simon Peter (Mark 3:16), and James and John Boanerges (Mark 3:17). Acts 15:37 the King James Version has "surname" for the simple "call" (so the Revised Version (British and American)).

T. Lewis

920. Barionas -- "son of Jonah," Bar-Jonah, a surname of Peter
... 919, 920. Barionas. 921 . "son of Jonah," Bar-Jonah, a surname of Peter. Part
of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Barionas Phonetic Spelling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/920.htm - 6k

923. Barsabbas -- "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two ...
... Barsabbas. 924 . "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two ... Word Origin of Aramaic
origin Definition "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two Isr. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/923.htm - 6k

2469. Iskariotes -- Iscariot, surname of Judas and his father
... Iscariot, surname of Judas and his father. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Iskariotes Phonetic Spelling: (is-kar-ee-o'-tace) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2469.htm - 6k

2581. Kananaios -- Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one ...
... Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one of the twelve apostles. Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Kananaios Phonetic Spelling: (kan-an-ee ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2581.htm - 7k

2459. Ioustos -- Justus, the name of three Christians
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Ioustos Phonetic Spelling:
(ee-ooce'-tos) Short Definition: Justus Definition: Justus, (a) a surname of Joseph ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2459.htm - 6k

918. Bartholomaios -- "son of Tolmai," Bartholomew, one of the ...
... Masculine Transliteration: Bartholomaios Phonetic Spelling: (bar-thol-om-ah'-yos)
Short Definition: Bartholomew Definition: Bartholomew, surname of Nathanael ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/918.htm - 7k

1951. epilego -- to call or name, to choose
... call, choose. Middle voice from epi and lego; to surname, select -- call, choose.
see GREEK epi. see GREEK lego. (epilegomene) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1951.htm - 6k

2541. Kaisar -- Caesar, a Roman emperor
... emperor. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Kaisar Phonetic Spelling:
(kah'-ee-sar) Short Definition: Caesar Definition: Caesar, a surname of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2541.htm - 6k

2786. Kephas -- "a rock," Cephas, a name given to the apostle ...
... Cephas. Of Chaldee origin (compare keph); the Rock; Cephas (ie Kepha), a surname
of Peter -- Cephas. see HEBREW keph. (kepha) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2786.htm - 6k

993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of ...
... It seems to have been intended as a title of honor, though not perpetuated like
the surname Peter (this being the only instance of its occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/993.htm - 8k

3655. kanah -- to title, give an epithet
... give flattering titles, surname himself. A primitive root; to address by an additional
name; hence, to eulogize -- give flattering titles, surname (himself). ...
/hebrew/3655.htm - 6k

The Promise Given to Peter not Restricted to Him, but Applicable ...
... For all bear the surname of "rock" who are the imitators of Christ, that is, of
the spiritual rock which followed those who are being saved, [5630] that they ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the promise given to.htm

Matthew the Publican Called from the Custom-House. --Familial ...
... might be overcome by supposing (what was not uncommon among the Jews that the same
man was designated in the one case by the name, in the other by the surname. ...
/.../section 141 matthew the publican.htm

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... We read of Apostles quarrelling, namely Paul and Barnabas who were angry with each
other on account of John whose surname was Mark; those who were united by ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

Mark.
... Peter. His original name was John or Johanan (ie, Jehovah is gracious, Gotthold)
his surname was Mark (ie, Mallet). [942] The surname ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 81 mark.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from ...
... Guria's purity and lovingness were to him a precious and honourable possession,
and from his cultivation of the former the surname of the pure was given him ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents martyrdom of 2.htm

Acts x. 4-Jan
... And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter." (v.5.)
Lest they should come to a different person, he designates the man not only ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxii acts x 4-jan.htm

Why victor Assumed the Name of vincentius. The Names of Evil Men ...
... affectionate regard the successor of Rogatus, who bore this name, as a great and
holy man, and that for this reason you wished his name to become your surname. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 2 ii why victor assumed.htm

Life and Character of John
... [571] This surname, given to ... Neither can I allow that he desired by that surname
to perpetuate the recollection of their anger in one of the cases indicated. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 41 life and character.htm

Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
... from the circumstance, that the renowned pseudo-Messiah in the time of Hadrian adopted,
with reference to the passage under review, the surname Barcochba, ie ...
/.../christology of the old testament/balaams prophecy numb xxiv 17-19.htm

Acts xii. 1, 2
... [619] "And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother
of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvi acts xii 1.htm

Surname (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To name or call by an appellation added to the original name; to give
a surname to. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SURNAME. ...
/s/surname.htm - 12k

Antiochus
... For the victories of his elephant corps over the Gauls, who had settled in
Asia Minor, he received the surname of Soter ("Deliverer"). ...
/a/antiochus.htm - 17k

Lebbaeus (1 Occurrence)
... Courageous, a surname of Judas (Jude), one of the twelve (Matthew 10:3), called
also Thaddaeus, not to be confounded with the Judas who was the brother of our ...
/l/lebbaeus.htm - 7k

Thaddaeus (2 Occurrences)
... In Matthew 10:3 the King James Version, the reading is "Lebbaeus, whose surname
was Thaddaeus." The name corresponds to Judas, the son (Revised Version), or ...
/t/thaddaeus.htm - 11k

Boanerges (1 Occurrence)
... Sons of thunder, a surname given by our Lord to James and John (Mark 3:17)
on account of their fervid and impetuous temper (Luke 9:54). ...
/b/boanerges.htm - 7k

Avaran
... AVARAN. av'-a-ran: A surname of Eleazar, the third son of Mattathias (1 Maccabees
2:5). It is doubtfully conjectured that Eleazar received this surname from the ...
/a/avaran.htm - 6k

Surnamed (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Surname. Multi-Version Concordance
Surnamed (15 Occurrences). Matthew 10:3 Philip and Bartholomew ...
/s/surnamed.htm - 10k

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite
(Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list of prophets ...
/b/barnabas.htm - 25k

Niger (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Black, a surname of Simeon (Acts 13:1). He was probably
so called from his dark complexion. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/n/niger.htm - 7k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... jus'-tus (Ioustos): There are three of this name mentioned in the New Testament.
(1) It was the Roman surname of JOSEPH BARSABBAS (which see) (Acts 1:23). ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Who was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Bartholomew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Thaddeus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Surname: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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