> Now they just mean you are descended from someone with that surname. Adoption exists. I'm the first in my patriline to be born with my surname. So yes, techn

> Now they just mean you are descended from someone with that surname. Adoption exists. I'm the first in my patriline to be born with my surname. So yes, technically I am descended from a person with that surname, but my father wasn't. Also, changing a name on marriage happens.