James & Ellen SIMMONDS nee WORGAN - 1911 Census (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Friday, November 09, 2012, 20:20 (4392 days ago) @ george

Thanks for your kind message George, we're glad to be of help :-)

Re namechanges as I understand it in those days it could be done by anyone who wanted to and all entirely legally; some (presumably wealthy) people might have posted an Announcement in the newspapers but often not. We've had examples on this forum in the past where families suddenly change identity between Census's. Sometimes this happens when a young person adopts the surname of their mother if her marriage has failed or the father isn't in favor, or indeed they take the mother's new partner if this situation arises.
It seems that this is still the case although I suspect most people make it official by deed poll, see
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/your_family/family/change_of_name.htm

Hope the entertaining went well !