William Coltman Neale Surname change in the 19th century

[coltman]

William Coltman Neal was born illegitimate 1866 (thus named on his father's will 1871). I assumed William Coltman and Anne Neale were his parents as they married shortly after his birth and had more children. Possible freebmd entry William C Neale Ashby de la Z. There is no birth entry for a likely William Coltman around this time and I have struggled to crack this one and his birth info is lost to time.

On all records  1871 through 1911 he is down as William Coltman, married as William Coltman etc.  Could he legally change his surname back in the 19th century and are there any historic records available if so? If not he's lied on official records which is naughty. I think he did lie otherwise he would be called William Coltman on his dads will. He's my gr.gr. uncle. Thanks. Regards Andrew

[Ladyhawk]

William Coltman Neal was born illegitimate 1866 (thus named on his father's will 1871).

I assumed William Coltman and Anne Neale were his parents as they married shortly after his birth and had more children.

Possible freebmd entry William C Neale Ashby de la Z. There is no birth entry for a likely William Coltman around this time and I have struggled to crack this one and his birth info is lost to time.

GRO indexes shows middle name, mother’s maiden left blank

NEALE, WILLIAM  COLTMAN     - 
1866  M Quarter in ASHBY DE LA ZOUCH UNION  Volume 07A  Page 102

[KGarrad]

He didn't lie, and it wasn't illegal

Under the laws of England & Wales, a person can call themselves anything they like, just long as it isn't for the purposes of fraud or deceit.

A Deed Poll isn't necessary.

[Ladyhawk]

Is this their marriage?

William Coltman Age:   52
Marriage    4 Sep 1866   Knighton, Leicester, England
Father:   James Coltman
Spouse:   Ann Neale age 30 father Edward


Is this them on the 1871 census surname as transcribed  Cottman?

Piece:   2085 Folio:   51 Page Number:   21
William Cottman   59
Ann Cottman   36
George Cottman   4
Ann Cottman   3
Richard Cottman   1
Elizabeth Neale   10
Lizetta Foster   22
William Cottman   5

[coltman]

Wow. Thank you Ladyhawk. Same entry at freebmd doesn't list his middle name even on the original sheet I downloaded.

[coltman]

Thank you for the info KGarrad.

[Ladyhawk]

Here are some other births from GRO indexes mn Neale

COLTMAN, -       NEALE 
1870  J Quarter in BLABY  Volume 07A  Page 41

COLTMAN, GEORGE  GOODWIN     NEALE 
 1867  J Quarter in BLABY  Volume 07A  Page 39
   
COLTMAN, RICHARD  HENRY     NEALE 
1869  J Quarter in BLABY  Volume 07A  Page 35

COLTMAN, ANNE  LAURA     NEALE 
 1868  J Quarter in BLABY  Volume 07A  Page 36

[coltman]

That's them Ladyhawk thank you. He had TB and I think they went down to Torquay for the airs. Didn't help though as he died April 18, 16 days after the census. Where are the GRO indexes that show middle names please?

[Ladyhawk]

Did Ann have more children?


COLTMAN, WALTER  EDWIN CALLOW    - 
1876  J Quarter in LEICESTER  Volume 07A  Page 244

COLTMAN, ARTHUR  CALLOW     - 
 1879  M Quarter in LEICESTER  Volume 07A  Page 201

1881 c Piece:   3160 Folio:   41 Page Number:   36
Ann Coltman   43 wid.
Walter Coltman   5
Arthur Coltman   2
Joseph Callow   48 Mar.
   
1891 census RG12; Piece: 2203; Folio: 30; Page: 14;

Ann Coltman   54
William Coltman   25
George G Coltman   24
Richard H Coltman   21
Walter E Coltman   14
Arthur Coltman   12