 In the English-speaking world, a surname is commonly referred to as a last name because it is usually placed at the end of a person's full name, after any given names.In many parts of Asia, as well as some parts of Europe and Africa, the family name is placed before a person's given name.In most Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries, two surnames are commonly used and in some families even three or more are used (often due to a family claim to nobility).