Last Name

 Field Length: 20

Enter the patient's last name in the spaces provided. If the name exceeds the number of spaces provided, enter as much as possible. If during the course of follow-up, the patient's name changes, update the record with the current name. 

Use the following rules when recording patient last names:

1.         Name fields should contain alpha characters and blanks only -- no special characters such as apostrophes, commas, hyphens, etc.

2.         Any name titles or suffixes, such as DR., M.D., MR., MS., JR., SR., III, IV, and so on, should be recorded in the middle name field after, or instead of, the middle name.  These data are optional, and need not be recorded at all.

3.         Blanks are allowed in the last name field, but they must be used consistently in order to match patients at the central data base. Therefore, the following rules are established:

          a.            When a patient has two last names, or a hyphenated last name, you may type both in the last name field separated by a blank space.

          b.            Patients with two-part last names, such as VAN HORN or ST JOHN, may have a space between the two parts, but no special punctuation marks.

          c.            Names like 'MCCOY' or 'O'BRYAN' should be typed 'MCCOY' or 'OBRYAN' with no spaces and no punctuation.                                                                            

Spanish/Hispanic Last Name Guidelines

• Spanish names use apellidos (surnames) rather than the term “last name.”

• Individuals typically have two surnames:

  • First apellido = father’s surname [The first surname is inherited from the father]

  • Second apellido = mother’s surname [The second surname is inherited from the mother]

• Record both surnames in the “Last Name” field, separated by a space (no punctuation).

Example:

• Father: John Perez Rodriguez First Name: John Last Name: Perez Rodriguez

• Mother: Mary Quinones Alamo First Name: Mary Last Name: Quinones Alamo

• Child: Maria Perez Quinones First Name: Maria Last Name: Perez Quinones

        !  Remember to code the Spanish Origin data item and use Code 7 (Spanish Surname) when the specific origin is unknown.

Traditional Marriage Naming Guidelines

• A husband’s surname does not change after marriage.

• A wife typically:

  • Retains her first surname (father’s surname).

  • May replace her second surname with her husband’s surname.

  • May optionally include “de” between surnames to indicate marriage.

Example:

• Woman (before marriage): Maria Perez Quinones

• Spouse: Martin Padilla Falto

• Possible married names:

  • Maria Perez Padilla

  • Maria Perez de Padilla