>>I understand gender specific firstnames, but not surnames. What surname do the children take on then? How does a surname get passed from generation to generation?
>>
>>
>Children get their father's surname (it's called here initial, though kids here don't inherit father's name).
>
>E.g.

>Last Name     First Name        Surname         Gender
>Ivanov        Ivan              Ivanovich       male
>Ivanova       Ol'ga             Ivanovna        female

Actually, looks like I'm wrong in understanding of "Surname" meaning. Is it an equavalent of a Last Name? If yes, then my example is wrong. I was talking about "family name" or "father's name" or what's the right term in English?

In Hebrew it would be "ben/bat - son/daughter of"

In USA it is not used, AFAIK. (only in the form of initial, may be)

In Russia it's used in all official documents.