Do Double-Barrelled Surnames Have a Future?

When I was a kid, double-barrelled names were reserved for the upper class.

They would not only have a double-barrelled name, but they would also be affluent landowners with a country home. Or they could be upper-middle-class, with a Jaguar parked neatly in the driveway. It was, after all, the late 1960s and early 1970s…

However, it appears that by the Noughties and Tweenies, even the working class had acquired double-barrelled names. In fact, it appears that around half of all newlywed couples hyphenate their surname. Maybe not half as much as that. It is, nevertheless, a substantial amount.

To the point where, according to a survey conducted by Opinium for the London Mint Office in 2017, 11% of young newlyweds (18 to 34 years old) merge their names. And we’re very sure that percentage has risen in the last four years.

After that, the double-barrelled surnames are passed on to the children. When you examine what occurs when two kids with double-barrelled names marry as adults, it’s mind-boggling. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…

So, why is it that double-barrelled names are growing increasingly popular these days? There are numerous reasons for this, and here are a few of the most important ones:

The advantages of a double-barrelled surname

Feminism. One of the main reasons needs to be that the woman does not want her new husband to take her surname. Why not use her maiden name instead of her husband’s? Yes, some couples use the female surname instead of the male surname. However, in the face of equality, it’s common to combine both surnames, resulting in the two names being combined (with or without a hyphen).

Families that have been merged. This is where things start to get difficult. There are so many divorces, separations, and families living together – married or not – these days that it can be difficult to discern whether a lady has returned to her maiden name or taken on her new husband’s surname.

Some women prefer a double-barreled surname because they don’t want their children to lose their father’s second name, but they also want their new husband (i.e. the stepfather) to feel included. In a strange way, it makes sense…

Identity as an ethnic group. One partner in a married marriage who has immigrated to the UK from another country may wish for their children to be aware of their European/Asian/other ancestry. Making the parent’s name part of their surname is an excellent method to help them feel like they’re a part of the culture.

Which it correct: to hyphenate or not to hyphenate?

Actually, there is no such thing as a property way. It is possible to hyphenate or not hyphenate a double-barrelled name. It all depends on the couple’s preferences. That isn’t to imply that some people won’t use a hyphen when they feel like it.

It’s difficult to work out, especially when certain family members choose not to hyphenate while others do…

The double-barrelled name is still considered sophisticated.

Interestingly, despite obvious evidence that double-barreled names are becoming more frequent these days – and that this is true across all classes of British society – some people still believe that they signal upward mobility. At least, that’s what a Debretts survey from 2015 showed, with 25% of young people believing that having a double-barrelled name made it easier to acquire a job placement (presumably in the city or professional industry).

Returning to the point raised earlier in this article concerning what two young individuals with double-barrelled surnames do when they want to marry, Will they wind up with a four-name surname or just a single name? According to those in the industry, the problem with double-barrelled names is that they don’t stay long. To put it another way, the youngsters do their own thing.

Name meshing is an alternative to double-barrelled. Some couples nowadays choose to combine their surnames to produce a new moniker. Carol Johnson and Mark Francis, for example, could become Mr. and Mrs. Franson.

Please contact us.

Do you want to change your surname by meshing or establishing a double-barrelled surname? If so, please contact us at ukdp.co.uk for the most up-to-date advice, information, and assistance. A Deed Poll is not required for a double-barrelled name, but it is required if you are ‘meshing’ an entirely new surname. We can handle the paperwork for you.