Why have women taken their husband's surname upon marriage?

Question

Are their any cases in which the husband took the wife's name? Do you prefer to keep your own surnames? Or do you take double barrelled ones?

Hey, who gave me a thumbs down?

Re Maid Marion - has there ever been such a law compelling women to take their husband's surnames or was it just convention?

Answer 1

Tradition

Answer 2

This is a practice dating back to the low regard paid to women in a previous century.

The male was regarded as the superior being, and when he took a wife it was as a possession, and for the purpose of bearing his children. Since all the family members were identified by the father's name, it was natural that the wife should adopt it on marriage, and used it as her title.

It was not until the 1900's that the Britain passed laws allowing women to possess their own property, to sue in a court of law in their own name, rather than through their husband, and full emancipation.

Answer 3

In Japan, as in many other countries throughout the world, the woman takes the man's last name. However, if no sons were born to a family, typically the husband of the eldest daughter would take on her name to inherit the house and family property along with her. This situation practically requires that the husband not be the first son, since the first son would typically be expected to carry on HIS family's line. In my case, my Japanese wife only has one sister. Me, as an American, would be able to inherit the house and property along with my wife if I became a Japanese national and adopted her last name. My mother-in-law is totally okay with this. My wife is the second born. My sister-in-law married and man with no siblings, so the duty of continuing the family line falls on my wife (and me).

Answer 4

it is because we live in a patrilineal society, that also says or believes that God is a man. But really we should follow a matrilineal society because the female was in existence b4 the male, this is scientific fact. Also all animal life is born from a womb so how could Adam come before 'Eve'? The male species are mutated females that's why we have redundant breasts. All religions used to be polytheist and the gods were male and female, but the worship of these deities was outlawed due to mans superior/inferiority complexities.

Answer 5

They have taken their husband's name after marriage by choice there is no law that says women have to take their husband's name

Answer 6

Because in the early days colonial law designated married women as "feme coverts". This meant from a legal standpoint, they were 'covered' by their husband for any legal purpose (any property of hers was his, she could not sue or be sued, etc.). Therefore, they took the husband's surname as their own. This was supposedly for the woman's own protection, although it also meant she had no individual standing within the law once married.
"Feme sole" was the legal term for single women. Unlike "feme coverts", "feme soles" did have the limited ability to own property and sign contracts. Again, once she married, a "feme sol" woman was automatically converted to "feme covert" status under the law and relinquished these rights.
It follows that children would take the husband's surname, because once he died (then typically around his early 40's), they would have a legal standing to inherit his property.

If I were to marry, I'd take my husband's surname as long as it was as cool as mine. ;)

Answer 7

It's a strange practice, for sure, if you think about it. The woman takes the mans name and then all of the children she produces also take the man's name.

99.999999999% of people KNOW who their mother is. Chances are, it's the woman who raised you. However, the same can not be said of your father. Your Father is basically whoever your Mother tells you he is.

Answer 8

Personally I plan to keep my own name when I get married. I like it. I've always wondered though, if you keep your own name and your husband keeps his, what name should the children have? But I guess thats for another question!

Answer 9

1) Because men are historically more important than women.
2) Only among Liberal sissies.
3) See #1.
4) See #2.

Answer 10

We are getting married next year and i am taking my b/f's name. I know men who have taken their wives name though.