Changing of Names

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Profile	Posted by	Options	Post Date
Member Since: October 2007 Posts: 44 Send Message	Susan	Report	23 Nov 2007 12:54
Member Since: October 2007 Posts: 44 Send Message	Hi, does anyone know how i would go about finding out about surname name changes. Have a grandfather who was born McGhee but changed his name later in life to Rule. I really don't know where to start???? Any help please. Susan.
Member Since: November 2002 Posts: 6,292 Send Message	Sam	Report	23 Nov 2007 13:14
	You might not find any records. From the National Archives website: "Under English common law, a person may take a new surname, perfectly legally, without drawing up any formal records, provided that such action is not undertaken for the purpose of fraud. Very often a proof of change of name either never existed or no longer exists. Enrolling a deed poll in the Supreme Court was a voluntary process and extra fees were payable. Consequently, very few changes of name were enrolled in these records" The National Archives will actually search the records for you but the fee is £60. According to another website, less than 5% of name changes are enrolled so £60 probably isn't worth paying. Sam x
Member Since: October 2007 Posts: 44 Send Message	Susan	Report	23 Nov 2007 13:30
Member Since: October 2007 Posts: 44 Send Message	Many thanks for your information Sam. Looks like we will never find out why, unless new family information turns up - but have tried that route. Susan.