There was a story in my mother's family that one of her brothers changed his last name so as not to

GailJarrard

There was a story in my mother's family that one of her brothers changed his last name so as not to be associated with the abuse that was going on in the family. The little bit of sleuthing I have found indicates that not all name changes go through the

courts as they do here. Recently I received a death certificate about this brother with the correct birth name and birth date, but he is listed under his given name. Is it required in England to have the death certificate names match the birth certificate names? The name of the notifying person was listed as his son with a different last name. There could be numerous explanations for this. Thanks for your help.

Brett .

@GailJarrard GailJarrard​ 

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Gail

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Short Answer (as far as I am aware): 'No'.

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The "Informant" listed on a "Death Registration" may NOT know the "Birth" Name (either, 'Given' name(s); and/or, 'Family Name/'Surname') of the "Deceased".

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And, the "Authorities" would NOT do any "Checking" if there was nothing that seemed 'untoward' (eg. out of place/suspicious). They would accept the information provided by the "informant"; especially, if they were a "Family Member"; and, there was "Certification" of Death from a "Medical Practitioner".

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Hence, WHY the ACTUAL details on "Death Registrations" can be WRONG; or, not as they should be.

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What "Time" period?

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Have you been able to find a "Marriage Registration"?

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Have you checked for the "Birth Registration" for the (so-called) "Son"?

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If all is 'above board' ...

That should give you the "Birth" 'Family Name/'Surname' of the Mother ...

Where you can check for any "Marriage" ...

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Just my thoughts.

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Brett

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Adrian Bruce1

There is no such thing in England and Wales as a legal name, hence you can change it whenever and however you like. The formal processes are useful because they give a recognized document to say that you are who you say you are now, but are not necessary. The only prohibition on name change is if you do it with intent to defraud - and that means financially defraud, basically.

So, no, there is no requirement for a match between birth and death certificates. There isn't even any obligation to find the BC when registering a death - so far as I know, my father never had a full birth certificate.

Registrars are, I believe, fairly limited in the information that they can require - they can ask pointed questions but, with just a couple of exceptions (round 2nd marriages?) they can't refuse anything.

So, since there are all sorts of reasons why sons may have different surnames from their fathers, no one is going to worry much. It probably only said that the informant was a son because there are rules about who an informant can be.

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Dennis J Yancey

"going through the courts" to change ones names - is in most cases a thing of the 20th/21st century

 

in prior centuries people often changed their name without any court action.

consistent names and spelling are things that came about in the "information age".