A family name, also known as a surname, is a part of a person's name that indicates their family lineage. It is typically passed down from one generation to the next and is used to identify individuals within a family group. Family names can reflect cultural, geographical, or historical backgrounds, and they often carry significant meaning related to ancestry. In many cultures, the family name appears after the given name, such as in Western naming conventions. In contrast, some cultures, like Chinese or Japanese, place the family name first. Family names can also vary in spelling and pronunciation, influenced by factors like migration and language.