Aliases

[zetlander]

Recently come across two of my forebears who used an alias. One is listed in court papers as having an alias and both names are given (this is in 1882).
The names are Joseph Hudson, alias John Edgerton. Which of these two is the likeliest one he had as a birth name?
Was a change of name in the 1880's done officially or did the person just take on another name?
Thanks.

[coombs]

Do you know any more info on him such as when he was born and where?

[zetlander]

John Hudson my forebear was according to the 1891 census born in Cambridge in 1860. I have failed to find any birth record of him - probably because  John Hudson was an alias.
Similarly no luck with finding Edgerton's birth record.
He may well have used a number of aliases - would he have had to do this officially or did people just change their names as and when it suited them?

[stanmapstone]

You can call yourself what you like as long as it is not for fraudulent puposes
Stan

[coombs]

Nowadays I think you have to apply for a name change and do it through a solicitors. In those days you could call yourself anything you wanted.

When did your ancestor marry anyway? Did he marry under Hudson, Egertion or what?

[stanmapstone]

You do not have to change it by Deed Poll. In law a person may change his or her surname simply by using a different name with sufficient consistency to become generally known by that name.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Under English common law, a person may take a new surname, perfectly legally, without drawing up any formal record, provided that such action is not undertaken for the purpose of fraud of avoidance of obligation, etc. So for people over over 16 years of age in England there is only one way to legally change your name and that is by using a new name. Deed Poll has never been required It always was, and still is, perfectly legal just to change one's name and notify all interested parties, provided there is no intent to defraud or other criminal intent . Deed Poll was usually used by those who considered  possible inheritance difficulties in the future, so was more often used by the wealthier members of society. A notification in the local paper was sometimes used, and for ever person who went to the trouble and expense of deed poll, there were numerous others who simply adopted a new name without formality. From 1914, all deeds poll enrolled in the Supreme Court had first to be advertised in the London Gazette
See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=176

Stan

[coombs]

So even now a John Smith could be known as James Edwards without having to go through any formality?