Census record - Father has different surname?

Question

Found an ancestor on the 1861 UK census, but it shows him as the son of parents who have a different surname. They have another son who is older and has their surname, so my guy is not from a second marriage. I'm guessing adoption, but would have thought he'd have changed surname at time of adoption. Was it common/normal to keep original surname after adoption? Anyone have other ideas or similar experiences that might explain it?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

I have similar experiences with the US censuses.

Guess #1, the enumerator was drinking, or got his data from the neighbors, or mixed up the family at #12 with the family at #14.

Guess #2, the older son is the dad's from a previous marriage, your ancestor is the mom's from a previous marriage, and the enumerator forgot to put "step-son" in the relation column.

Guess #3, his relation was something other than son, and, again, the enumerator put "son" by mistake.

Answer 2

Without looking at the record, without knowing his age, its a bit difficult to say
You could have a nephew lodging with relatives
or
possibly he is an unrelated lodger
or
you have someone with the same name but is not your ancestor.

The Census should also tell you where he was born. The fact he is showing with parents inconsistent with what you expect suggests you havn't found an ancestor but an unrelated person with the same name. I would recommend a bit more research.

I would check later census records if you really are convinced this is the right person then look for his birth record (you know his parents and presumably you have an idea of his age so can work back to when he was born) at theFamily Record Centre http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/frc/

or Alterantivley join Ancestry.co.uk http://ancestry.offers-uk.com/

If you know for sure which county he was born in also look for a Family History Grouo for that County and contact them (you may need to join for a year if search services are members only)

Remeber Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate records.

Answer 3

I have an ancestor who was not a first son who chose to take his mother's maiden name, as he had an inheritance through her line. This was much (MUCH) earlier, though - the 1100's.