The whole familythe JonesesHappy holidays from the Joneses
Belongs to one personJones'sJones' is also accepted
Belongs to the familythe Joneses'the Joneses' house
Names ending in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es. Never use an apostrophe to make a name plural.
How to write a last name as a plural
Type a surname to get the plural (for “the whole family”) and the possessive (for “the family’s house”), the way style guides write them. Tap an example to try it.
- Most names add -s: the Smiths, the Millers, the Garcias.
- Names ending in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es: the Joneses, the Foxes, the Martinezes, the Churches, the Bushes.
- Never use an apostrophe for a plural. “The Smith’s” is not a plural.
- Names ending in y just add -s: the Kennedys, not the Kennedies.
Possessives
- One person: Tom Jones’s car.
- The whole family: the Joneses’ house. Make the plural first, then add the apostrophe.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the Joneses or the Jones’s?
The Joneses for the family. The Joneses’ for something the family owns.
How do I avoid awkward plurals on cards?
Write “The Martinez Family” instead of “The Martinezes”. It’s always correct.
Where can I check how common my name is?
Use our surname lookup to see how many people in the US share it. For a new shared family name, try the last name combiner.