Surname

A surname or family name is a name added to a given name. In many cases, a surname is a family name and many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name". In the western hemisphere, it is commonly synonymous with last name because it is usually placed at the end of a person's given name.

In most Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries, two or more last names (or surnames) may be used. In China, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Madagascar, Taiwan, Vietnam, and parts of India, the family name is placed before a person's given name.

The style of having both a family name (surname) and a given name (forename) is far from universal. In many countries, it is common for ordinary people to have only one name or mononym.

The concept of a "surname" is a relatively recent historical development, evolving from a medieval naming practice called a "byname". Based on an individual's occupation or area of residence, a byname would be used in situations where more than one person had the same name.

9994 Grotius

9994 Grotius is a main belt asteroid. It orbits the Sun once every 4.15 years.

Discovered on September 24, 1960 by C. J. van Houten and I. van Houten-Groeneveld on photographic plates made by T. Gehrels, it was given the provisional designation 4028 P-L. It was later renamed 9994 Grotius, to honour Hugo Grotius.

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