A surname, also called a family name or last name, is the part of a person's name that identifies their family. It is often shared by parents, children, and other relatives.
In many Western countries, the order is a given name first and the surname last, such as Maria Garcia. But the position and number of surnames differ from one culture to another.
A surname is different from a given name, which is the personal name chosen for an individual. Some people also have middle names or additional family names, depending on where they are from.
Naming customs vary widely, and there is no single global rule.
In many Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries, people carry two surnames, one from each parent, such as a first surname from the father and a second from the mother. Both are part of the full legal name.
In several East Asian countries, the family name comes first and the given name second. In some cultures, a person may use a single name, or a naming pattern based on a parent's name rather than a shared family surname.
These differences are not just cultural detail. They affect how names appear on official documents, which matters when your name needs to match exactly, whether on a boarding pass or when you collect a transfer. If you are also thinking about status and belonging, see nationality vs citizenship.
When sending or receiving money, the name is one of the most important details to get right.
To collect a transfer, the receiver's name usually must match their identification exactly, including every surname in the order it appears on their ID. A missing second surname or a different order can cause a pickup to fail.
Accents and spelling matter too. If a name includes accented letters, it helps to know that some systems store or search names without accents, so entering the plain form may be needed. Enter names carefully and check them against the recipient's official ID before you send.
To see how a full transfer works from start to finish, read what is a remittance. MoneyGram helps people send to loved ones across more than 200 countries and territories, backed by 85 years of trust. If you are planning to travel as well, check the rules in do you need a passport to travel to Mexico.
A surname is the family name shared among relatives, while a given name is the personal name for an individual. In many countries the given name comes first and the surname last, but the order varies. Some cultures place the family name first or use more than one surname.
In many Spanish-speaking and Latin American countries, people carry two surnames, one from each parent. Both are part of the full legal name and appear on official documents. When sending money to someone with two surnames, include both exactly as they appear on the recipient's identification.
Money transfer providers verify identity to keep transfers secure. To collect the money, the recipient's name must match their identification, including all surnames in the correct order. Entering the name exactly as it appears on their ID helps the pickup go smoothly and avoids delays.
Enter names as they appear on the ID, choose a delivery method, and send securely.
