4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "The truth is its hard to give points in this case and I really appreciate hearing everyone's opinion. Now I can look at the use of surname more objectively even if I don't entirely agree. David your google search was also very helpful so I guess I'll award you the points :-) Michael, Your statement about uneducated people threw me for a loop. I would suggest that while many people do not choose to use surname, it does not mean that they have never heard the word before. In fact, I'm sure that some people might even find using surname over last name to be somewhat pedantic. Thanks again everyone!"