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Original poster

Is Cavendish a nice surname?

105 replies

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 30/09/2023 11:27

Or a bad one?

OP posts:
catsnhats11 · 30/09/2023 11:28

Daft question.

Why do you ask?

TribeD · 30/09/2023 11:28

I think it's lovely.

Happygerbil · 30/09/2023 11:28

Posh sounding but nice

Echobelly · 30/09/2023 11:29

I think it sounds very nice

Thebigblueballoon · 30/09/2023 11:29

It’s rather posho.

Are you asking this to decide whether or not to accept his hand in marriage? 😂

ElleLeopine · 30/09/2023 11:30

It sounds absolutely fine.

People with the surname can be either good or bad, though that's not the fault of the name.

MarigoldMaud · 30/09/2023 11:31

What?

CheshireCat1 · 30/09/2023 11:31

Love the cyclist love the name.

whereisthecheese · 30/09/2023 11:32

Nice

theduchessofspork · 30/09/2023 11:34

Sure.

I’m imagining you’re writing a Regency romance, and Miss Cavendish is the poor put upon cousin of an aristocratic family. In which case, spot on.

embramum · 30/09/2023 11:35

Strange question. Very London, English but alright

Farmageddon · 30/09/2023 11:41

I always think of Henry Cavendish, a brilliant scientist who among other things discovered hydrogen. But yes, I agree sounds very posh these days.

Original poster
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 30/09/2023 11:48

Lol no I’m widowed, dh had a surname people laughed at and gave me the option of not taking it when we married but I had wedding fever 😂 and took it so people laughed at me too and you have to spell it out over the phone. Even the cats embarrassed at the vets, the combination of her name and our surname sounds like a village in Midsomer Murders.

He hated his name too so I’m going to change it by deed poll and Cavendish was one of the names we had in mind for when PIL had gone and there was no one to disapprove. His cousin changed their name by deed poll and mil pronounced them “not family anymore”

I think it’s Posho & regency drama too but if you’re going to do it why not go all in?

OP posts:
babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 30/09/2023 11:48

It’s lovely.

ShutTheDoorBabe · 30/09/2023 11:51

Bolsover Castle was built and owned by Charles Cavendish and, later, his son William. I think they were politicians? Anyway, they were rich, important landowners so it's quite a posh name. I think Hardwick Hall was connected to their family too.

MarigoldMaud · 30/09/2023 11:53

What was your married name then? 👀

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 30/09/2023 11:54

I think it's a very nice name, although for me it's tainted by having known someone very difficult with that name (although apparently he later changed his name!).

TheMurderousGoose · 30/09/2023 11:54

Same as you, OP, it reminds me entirely of a dashing suitor in a regency romance. Cavendish is a lovely name. I'm intrigued to know what your late husband's surname was but realise it's probably way too outing to tell us.

Also, sorry for your loss Flowers

TheMurderousGoose · 30/09/2023 11:54

If I had to choose a new surname for myself I'd pick Wilde.

FraidyPuss · 30/09/2023 11:56

I like it 🤷‍♀️

Hottytotty · 30/09/2023 11:58

Cavendish is the family name of the dukes of Devonshire so pretty posh, but has been around such a long time that lots of unposh people will have it as well. I like it better than my awful married name
Am thinking Smellie or Ramsbotham for the current name…

Original poster
FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 30/09/2023 12:00

ShutTheDoorBabe · 30/09/2023 11:51

Bolsover Castle was built and owned by Charles Cavendish and, later, his son William. I think they were politicians? Anyway, they were rich, important landowners so it's quite a posh name. I think Hardwick Hall was connected to their family too.

It was, they own Chatsworth too. Their title is Duke of Devonshire, we planned to move to Devon before all that so that’s another tenuous connection.

OP posts:
OhMyFriend · 30/09/2023 12:00

It’s a lovely name. Family name of the Dukes of Devonshire and you might get asked whether you are connected to the family (I know quite a few Cavendishes who are random cousins etc, they get everywhere) but of course plenty of Cavendishes aren’t aware of any connection because it’s lost in the mists of time so you can just say no.

ThornInMySide84 · 30/09/2023 12:00

I love it! My dream surname is Ogilvy though, I regret not searching harder for my Mr Ogilvy.

dontgobaconmyheart · 30/09/2023 12:02

I do think it's one of those names that unless you actually are posh, will just look like you've tried to sound a bit posher and appropriate that link but in reality most people aren't going to care much about someone else's surname are they, unless it's something a bit jarring or very long.

As for whether it's 'nice' that's surely subjective - It wouldn't be my pick but there's also nothing wrong with it. I changed my name years ago and am much happier for it.