The Surname Society is a not-for-profit, entirely online organisation founded by experienced genealogists from around the world. It connects people with an interest in family history and supports collaborative research into surnames. Its focus is single-surname studies: gathering and examining references to a surname across a chosen area, from a local region to a country or worldwide. This work goes beyond tracing one person’s family tree, helping researchers build a broader picture of a surname and its history.

The Society provides members with online facilities to share knowledge, data and good practice, and encourages research that reflects the changing needs of genealogy in the 21st century. Its resources include a School of Surnames, news and articles, and a Church Marriage Finder. The website also features recent study registrations and a surname search, allowing visitors to see whether a member is researching a particular name. Through membership and shared inquiry, The Surname Society helps researchers connect, exchange information and develop their surname studies together.