On changing one's name

[piperdbh]

You already see how much paperwork will be involved in changing your name. Since you're doing it as a tribute to the family who raised you, and whom you'd like to emulate, and not as a slap to your father, then I'd say go ahead, and let us know how it all turns out.

[sydnie7]

I've known one other adult male who had his name changed, and I find your thought process to be far superior to what I knew of his! I've also known folks to snivel about how having a particular name had somehow held them back in life, which I find ludicrous, but your motives seem pretty solid.

You will probably find the "social acceptance" part of it to be even more difficult than you imagine, but if it means as much to you as it obviously does -- do it. Especially if you feel it could become something that you look back on and say, "I wish I'd done that!"

[fudgeman]

Your reasons are sound. You have no children to complicate things. Your wife supports you. Do it!!

[Friday]

I have always been of the opinion that you only own one thing in life, and that is your name. Everything else, comes and goes. If your name is not you change it to the one that represents you. Go for it.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You are who you are. I can see no reason why you shouldn't take your Mother's name if that's what you want to do. There is nothing out of the ordinary in it and, as a matter of fact, it regularly happens all of the time. Author Anne McCaffery has two sons; the eldest bears his father's surname, the youngest Anne's maiden name in honour of her father.

Once you do change your name you will need a lawyer to sort out all sorts of legal stuff (credit ratings, passports, drivers licenses, mortgages, vehicle registration, etc.) as well as to notify, in writing, all of your friends that you have taken a new name. Post 9-11 the process isn't as simple as it once was. Expect the "change over" process to cost something in the neighborhood of $2,000 by the time every little detail is taken care of.

I would suggest that you talk it over with your lawyer before a final decision is made; you might also want to consider the option of adding your Mother's maiden name ahead of your family name either with, or without the hyphen, as this might simplify things.

[NewGuise]

I would suggest that you talk it over with your lawyer before a final decision is made; you might also want to consider the option of adding your Mother's maiden name ahead of your family name either with, or without the hyphen, as this might simplify things.

I'll just note that I did exactly that, without any hyphen, in order to acknowledge my mother and her side of the family along with my father and his side. And that was very, very easy to do ... although some forms are set up to recognize only one "middle" name or initial at most, in which case I end up going with first name and (my father's) surname - that is the one downside, but perhaps a notable one in your situation.

[ThistleDown]

I'll just note that I did exactly that, without any hyphen, in order to acknowledge my mother and her side of the family along with my father and his side. And that was very, very easy to do ... although some forms are set up to recognize only one "middle" name or initial at most, in which case I end up going with first name and (my father's) surname - that is the one downside, but perhaps a notable one in your situation.

It's not actually a Scottish tradition to hyphenate surnames. I stand to be corrected (please) but I think that hyphenating surnames creates a new name. So Mr Sporran and Miss Purse marry and name themselves Mr and Mrs Sporran-Purse, thereby creating an entirely new and different surname, Sporran-Purse. In Scotland; I've no knowledge of the laws in the US.

I have a dear friend, however, whose uncle was the last in the male line of a landed family. My friend chose to dispense with his father's surname and replace it with his mother's (i.e., his uncle's). This was a relatively simple process in the US as I understand it. His uncle then named him as his successor and my friend has since been recognised by Lord Lyon with the territorial designation.

[Ancienne Alliance]

It's not actually a Scottish tradition to hyphenate surnames. I stand to be corrected (please) but I think that hyphenating surnames creates a new name. So Mr Sporran and Miss Purse marry and name themselves Mr and Mrs Sporran-Purse, thereby creating an entirely new and different surname, Sporran-Purse. In Scotland; I've no knowledge of the laws in the US.
.

Not wanting to high-jack this thread I would like to add that for ceremonial purposes like Clan certificates or brevets, etc. , I sometime use the full name version my ancestors bore. That makes it :
Robert Amyot de Villeneuve-Lincourt



Best,

Robert

[Chas]

In the UK there is neither shame nor honour attached to changing one's surname. It used to happen on a regular basis if there was an inheritance in the balance. Money, land or title. There is an accepted set of words that is included in a last will and testament called a 'Name and Arms Clause'. Many people grew up knowing that at the age of 21 (originally 25) they would have to choose; the name they were born with or the name that comes with title or land or wealth. The changing of surnames in the UK was so common at one time that there was a whole department set up in the Home Office (which still exists) just to deal with the titles and territorial designations. Even the King changed his surname from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor!

It doesn't matter what your reasons are. Life is too short to be unhappy. If it will bring you peace and contentment - do it.

Regards

Chas

[johnchendry]

Not only do I think it is acceptable, but admirable if you are changing your name as an honorary tribute to your maternal ancestors. Obviously, you have given this matter great consideration. As for social acceptance, I could see alot of explaining on your part (if you are the type to explain yourself to others). I say it is something you should definitely do if you feel strongly about it.

Good luck.

John Hendry