You sure can! It’s done all the time for family businesses. Though there are some stipulations; if your last name is super common, is also a common word, or name of a profession, then the trademark is likely to get rejected. For example, if your last name is Brown or Smith or Hunter, you’re probably not gonna get it. But if you’re Smitty Werbenjägermanjensen, then you’re probably in luck. It’s a very manual process that’s kind of open to interpretation by whoever is filing your application.
McDonald’s is probably the most widely-known trademarked surname.
It is a surname. You surely cannot register a trademark against a surname, even in the USA?
You sure can! It’s done all the time for family businesses. Though there are some stipulations; if your last name is super common, is also a common word, or name of a profession, then the trademark is likely to get rejected. For example, if your last name is Brown or Smith or Hunter, you’re probably not gonna get it. But if you’re Smitty Werbenjägermanjensen, then you’re probably in luck. It’s a very manual process that’s kind of open to interpretation by whoever is filing your application.
McDonald’s is probably the most widely-known trademarked surname.