Signature

A signature is a usually stylized version of someone's name written on documents as a proof of identity, like a seal but handwritten.

Text automatically appended to Email and Newsgroup messages, usually including a name, contact info, and sometimes quotes and Ascii Art, is also called a signature.

A signature can be referred to in many ways, including the term "John Hancock", after the first of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Signatures are also known as autographs, particularly in the context of autograph collecting.

See also:

• Authentication
• Digital signature