Choosing a Family Name – The Modern British Approach

Research last year from Australia suggests that rather old-fashioned and patriarchal views prevail there when it comes to choice of family name.  Women still tend to change their family name to that of their husbands; children still tend to take their father’s family name. 

That may be true of Australia; what trends emerge about British family life and conventions?  Are there significant differences between heterosexual and homosexual couples and parents?  Between those who marry / form civil partnerships, compared to those who cohabit?  What effect does ethnicity or religiosity have on the choice?  Likewise, education and political ethos? 

London law firm Bishop & Sewell LLP is seeking to find out.

We are currently hosting an online survey to see what we can learn about differing approaches to this issue across the various models of British family.

The survey can be accessed here.  It takes only a few minutes to complete. 

Please take the time to let us know what choices have been made about names within your family, and why. 

Please feel free also to share the survey link with colleagues, family and friends:  the more responses we receive, the more statistically significant the findings.

The results of our survey will be published on the Bishop & Sewell website at a future date.