Addressing a person by their last name only [closed]

I've seen a couple of instances where someone is addressed exclusively by their last name (not like "Mr. X" but only "X").

The most prominent example is perhaps MacGyver, whose first name (Angus) is never used to address him. It's always his last name, even for good friends.

So I'm wondering: Does this occur often in real life? What are the typical situations where someone would only use his last name?

In fee paying schools in the UK there is a tradition of boys being called by their surname, both by the teaching staff and also by each other.

There are a lot of people I went to school with, including friends, who I know by their surname, and also refer to me by my surname.