Etymology

Noun

1. A substitute (usually of a person, position or role).
2. A person or animal that acts as a substitute for the social or pastoral role of another, such as a surrogate mother.
3. A deputy for a bishop in granting licences for marriage.
4. : A judicial officer of limited jurisdiction, who administers matters of probate and intestate succession and, in some cases, adoptions.
5. A surrogate or surrogate key is a unique identifier for either an entity in the modeled world or an object in the database.

Verb

1. To replace or substitute something with something else; appoint a successor.