Combining last names to create a new legal married name

[sami]

Well, this could put a new wrinkle into genealogy.

British Columbia couple take their last names - Gick and Wagner - to make a new name - Wickner - and follow through with the proper paperwork to make the new name a legal one 

I've never heard of it, but apparently it has happened before. Good thing it wasn't a popular idea a couple of hundred years ago 

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01j1b/

sami

[KGarrad]

In England & Wales there is no such thing as a "legal" name!
You can call yourself anything you like, just as long as there is no intention to deceive or defraud.

[Guy Etchells]

Yes its called meshing and has been around for at least three years and possibly more.

Cheers
Guy

[sami]

I guess that explains why so many of my relatives are so hard to find 

[AntonyMMM]

Not just an issue for marriages  - when registering a birth the parents can now choose any surname they like for the child.

It doesn't happen often but I do remember one child who was given a surname that had no connection at all to either parent - just because it was a name they liked.

[clairec666]

Good thing it wasn't a popular idea a couple of hundred years ago 

It would add an extra level of fun to genealogy!

My family surnames might include - Cash (Cant/Dash), Spobinett (Speechley/Robinett), Bellhead (Bell/Whitehead), Hoppen (Hopkins/Cullen)...

[sami]

It would add an extra level of fun to genealogy!

My family surnames might include - Cash (Cant/Dash), Spobinett (Speechley/Robinett), Bellhead (Bell/Whitehead), Hoppen (Hopkins/Cullen)...

  It would soon become a muddle, that's for sure 

[Chilternbirder]

It doesn't happen often but I do remember one child who was given a surname that had no connection at all to either parent - just because it was a name they liked.

I have heard that this can cause problems when travelling overseas.

[Rosinish]

It doesn't happen often but I do remember one child who was given a surname that had no connection at all to either parent - just because it was a name they liked.

I have heard that this can cause problems when travelling overseas.

I thought children had to have their own Passports nowadays or have I got that wrong & only after a certain age?

Well, this could put a new wrinkle into genealogy.

British Columbia couple take their last names - Gick and Wagner - to make a new name - Wickner - and follow through with the proper paperwork to make the new name a legal one 

I've never heard of it, but apparently it has happened before. Good thing it wasn't a popular idea a couple of hundred years ago 

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01j1b/

sami

It's a wee bit different, a sign of changing times 

I have someone married into my family who's father took his wife's surname on marriage!

Annie