It in normal to address someone using their last name?

Question

I watch a lot of American TV series, but I'm not from the US. I've noticed that in a lot of TV series, characters address each other using their last names, eg. "Castle", "House", "Dexter" ("What are you doing tonight, Castle?") even, when those characters are family, close friends or acquaintances. In my native language, it's derogatory to address someone directly using their last name, and referencing a third party by the last name in a conversation is usually reserved for formal relations (boss-employee, for example).

This said, I want to know you opinion on the subject. Is it true for day-to-day English, or is it a thing seen only on the TV? Why do you think people use their last names and not first names?

Breeze Boden · Accepted Answer

I live in Canada and the social structure is pretty similar to the US
People call people by last names as a joke if you know them really well. For example if you're friend went to the club you might say "Find any hot ladies, Mr. Dexter" with a wink or laugh or something.
You call your teacher, doctor, cop, ect, by their last name along with their title; Dr, Mrs, ect.
As for day-to-day things, it doesn't usually happen, it's not nearly as common as it appears to be on TV shows. 
Most people are fairly casual when talking, even in work situations, they basically always call you by your first name (unless it's a joke again- but that being said, not all or even most jokes you say a persons last name. Maybe once a month you will call somebody by their last name)
Hope this enlightenment helped :)

Potato chips :3 · Answer

In general, especially other countries, people only call you by your first name if you guys are close friends. In the US, if you're a regular person (students @school for example) not like a cop/lawyer/doctor etc then you'll be called by your first name too.

Last names can be used, it can help things. I don't really see it much so I can't give many examples of where it is used. In cases of formality it is used, or can be used to show distance in some countries.

? · Answer

I am from the u.s. 
house and dexter are both professionals that go by their last name. The friends they have are all from work.
Same with castle. 
In most cases usually first name from friends and family. Some are not. Nick names are VERY common. Your parents name you William you could be called bill, billy, will, willy, your last name, by your initials. Your middle name. A combination of any of your three names. 
People pick their name and introduce themselves as such  like "Pauly d" or "AJ" "Winston". So more freedom to establish what you want your name to be. Most American tv shows are very accurate about names, and social interactions

Jade · Answer

Some people in a business, like cops and detectives usually use the last name, probably to keep it professional. At my school, my teacher calls a student by her last name as a sign of friendliness.

Anonym · Answer

I am not from the US or the UK but where i live that is also very common. At school we call each other with our last names a lot
 But we never call girls by their last names and never family members by their last names either.

Pascal · Answer

Sometimes people will use your last name if they are comfortable with you and know you won't get offended.

Other times, people refer to someone by their last name if they have don't like a person.

It's confusing.

It in normal to address someone using their last name?

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