Genealogy Chat

Hi, I have relative who seem to have changed their name. Sometimes used as a double barrel with the old one and other times not on the children that follow. Does anybody know what the procedure is for name changes, where they're recorded and how you can trace when it took place etc so I can unpick it. Very confusing Thanks Denise

Denise Unfortunately there is nothing to stop you changing your name without any legal formalities. In the case of children I also think you can give them whichever surname you fancy - but you must use the name consistently. There's some info on change of name by deed poll here: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/name/ nell

These days in England and Wales you would change your name by deedpoll, there would be a record of this in the court that approved the name change. I believe that america has a similar proceddure but I don't know if years ago you had to register the name change or whether you could do it when ever you felt like it.

Thanks Nell and Rachel for the info. best wishes Denise

Hi, you can change your name without going through the courts even now. I recently added a middle name to my eldest son, to keep the family line going. He just declared it by Deed and then it was a matter of just using it. No court involved, no registration anywhere.