Can you have two last names in the UK?

However it sometimes happens, especially in the case of persons born outside marriage, that the surnames of the parents, in any order, are used (hyphenated or not) to provide a double-barrelled surname. English law places no restrictions as to what surname may be registered for a child in the UK.

Why do people have a double last name?

Back in days of yore, names were closely tied to notions of inheritance. If a family lacked any male descendants, creating a double-barrelled surname was a way of preserving a name that would otherwise have died out – and of keeping the estate in the family (just think of the plot of every other costume drama…).

Why do some British have hyphenated last names?

To show off their lineage. Hyphenation is currently associated with the gender equality movement, but it’s been going on for hundreds of years in upper-crust circles, mostly to preserve storied or illustrious names that might otherwise be lost through marriage.

Can you have two last names legally?

A hyphenated last name my also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. It’s your choice which name comes first. Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change – meaning you can’t drop your spouse’s name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

How do you alphabetize two last names?

RULE 3. – Ignore the hyphen and alphabetize considering the first part of the hyphenated name. Ignore ampersands (&) joining two or more proper names. File considering the first name.

How do you address someone with two last names?

If the person’s name is Grey-Smith, you address her as Mrs./Miss/Ms (pick the appropriate title) Grey-Smith. Either hyphenate them or call them by the second last name.

Do you have to hyphenate two last names UK?

Double-barrelling allows the couple to retain both the wife’s and the husband’s surname. To hyphenate or not to hyphenate the last name is often carefully considered but in practice, it doesn’t really matter. If double-barrelling the surnames is a goal, the couple must decide which name will come first.

How do you address a woman with two last names?

How to address a letter to a woman with two last names – Quora. As for the actual letter – you would either start it Dear Madam (if you don’t know her) – or – Dear Mrs Smith-Brown (if you do). Usually if a woman uses two surnames they are connected by a hyphen maiden name-husband’s surname.

Why do posh people have double barrel surnames?

The reasons for double-barrelling were originally financial. If two wealthy families joined in marriage both names would be perpetuated as a condition of the marriage. Wealth matches were common in the middle ages, and a famous, wealthy family would want their name to run on till the final trump of recorded time.

Can I have 2 last names no hyphen?

Answer: As long as you can submit an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate documenting the use of two last names without the hyphen, then you can have them both on your passport.

Which last name goes first for baby?

The surnames are always in that order, dad’s first, then mom’s surname. For convenience, people usually refer to people by their first surname (from dad), but both surnames are on all official documents and contracts.