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Plural of family names

Question:

Can you tell me how to make family names plural? For example, is it the Brown's or the Browns?

Answer:

Apostrophes are used mainly for possessives and contractions; we don't use an apostrophe to make a family name (or any other noun) plural. When we pluralize a family name, we almost always add a simple s. Therefore, the plural of Brown is Browns, as in "The Browns live on Main Street."

Exception

To pluralize family names that end in ch, s, sh, x and z, we add an es in most cases. For example:

  • The Welches have two children.
  • The Lewises live on a farm.
  • The Nashes run their own business.
  • The Hendrixes raise thoroughbred horses.
  • The Alvarezes have three cats.

Of course, every exception has its exceptions! When a family name ends in an s that sounds like a hard z (like the s in buys), in most cases its spelling remains unchanged in the plural. In other words, we don't add an es to make it plural.

  • The Andrews enjoy fine dining.
  • The Watters are on vacation.

Confused? Just remember that if a family name ends with an s that sounds like an s, add an es to form the plural. If it ends with an s that sounds like a z, leave it as it is—don't add an es.

Date Modified: 2012-03-29

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