HOW TO SOLVE YOUR NAME-CHANGE MYSTERY
English common law has always allowed a person to take and use a new surname. This could be done, perfectly lawfully, without drawing up any formal record. Currently, it is perfectly legal for anyone aged over 16 to start using a new name, as long as the change is not being made for any fraudulent purpose, or would result in a financial loss to, or avoiding an agreement with, another.
In 1901, the judge Lord Lindley held that, “Speaking generally the law of this country allows any person to assume and use any name, provided its use is not calculated to deceive and to inflict pecuniary loss.”
Current legislation regarding changes of name is complicated and varies in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Detailed information is available on the Deed Poll Office website at deedpolloffice.com. This commercial organisation specialises in change-of-name deeds and name-change law in the UK.
Ordinarily we acquire our names at birth: our parents choose our forename(s), usually following nine months of disagreement. Legally, there is no actual inheritance of a surname and conventionally we take the surname of our father. Women, again by convention only, take their husband’s name on marriage. However, times are changing, and these days many wives continue to use their
