Double-barrell surnames - how common are they?

[springissprung]

... and how are they seen these days? Do people still see double-barrell names as posh or are they quite common place now with more parents wanting to pass both their names on to their DC? Is the child more likely to be called by the first or second part of the name as inevitably some people won't get it right!

Just trying to get an idea as I don't personally know anyone with a double-barrell name.

Mine are hyphenated - neve been the slightest problem to anyone. Except for a few members of dp's family who insist on refering to us all as the mayname-hisnames, rather than just the children.

I'm a feminist, so the reasons behind many double- barrelled surnames makes

a lot of sense. I just find the actual names generally cumbersome and often a bit odd sounding.

Don't worry what other people think because it works both ways...

when a woman gets married nowadays and changes her name to her husband's I think they really didn't think it through and just cannot understand it!

We all have opinions and make assumptions, you can't please everyone so please yourself

I had one and it was a pain. No one could ever remember which letter they'd filed me under at places like the hospital. Easier I suppose now with computer files.

Still, despite an appreciation of the feminist argument, I ditched mine when I married and I now have a very simple, unambiguous surname.

Lots of kids I know have double-barrelled names - really long ones too. I was happy for dds to have my DH's name because mine if very boring and his is distinctive. Unless you both love your names and insist, I would stick to one name because it is less complicated that way.

If they are used by the family for generations, then they are okay. If they are new, then I think of Emma Noble-Major, and a pit poncey/ try hard. Unless mother and father are not married, and then I think they are fine, as they serve a purpose, of child sharing name with both parents.

My DP parents double barrelled their surname, but his dad never used the double-barrelled name (he stuck with Jones), the double-barrelled surname was just for his children and wife. His son and daughter both dropped the first part (mums maiden name) before secondary school, and are both Jones. DP's mum is the only one in family with double-barrelled name.

Most sensible people will realise that if two sur names are being used it is not to try and sound posh. I doubt anybody thinks I'm being poncey on my children's behalf! If they do they're a bit silly. If they paused for a moment to consider our circumstances they'd get it.

ps, although some people might think I'm being 'poncey' on behalf of my children I know you can't please everybody. I have read some really stupid comments about using Ms (as opposed to Miss) on mn. So there will always be somebody somewhere with a really judgmental and narrow view of what is normal. Anything outside of that is going to be poncey, common, uptight, unmarried, feminist, a point to prove.... [shrug]

oohlaalaa - why is the fact I don't want my rare maiden name to die with my Dad or relegated to an extra middle name poncey or 'try hard' ? What a stupid thing to say.
And why should I be expected to give up my surname, I am proud of it, I love it and it is unusual. Yet I also want to acknowledge I am married, and take on my dh's surname. Surely I can do both, not because I want to appear aristocratic, but because it means something special to me and my family.
Didn't realise double barrelled surnames were judged so harshly

I think its a subtle thing choosing which surname to use. I've enjoyed reading all the different issues and comments here. Its a blend of identities, aesethetics, emotions and practicalities.
I was keen on keeping my own surname. then thought id go double barrelled so we'd feel like a family. on balance ive decided to go with my husbands surname. as the two together are a bit cumbersome and won't be much fun for our children - ive found it a bit cumbersome too. i tried it out for a while, but have gone off it.
also, as i now work with my parents, its useful to have a different surname from them.
the bit i think i will stick with is being "ms" rather than "mrs". i've always been "ms" and i think it defeats the point if you then change to "mrs" when you get married. i really think "mrs" should be wiped out as an option. i always put ms for any other woman (unless she specifies otherwise). im shocked at people that still use "miss". but each to their own i guess.
my mum also took my dad's surname (for a mixture of reasons) but is still "ms".
i think this is more important, personally. unless the double barrell sounds really nice, or is quite short (or if you feel very attached to your own surname).

I agree with you wheniwishuponastar. Men just have Mr. Master is for a young boy. Miss should be for a young girl, and then Ms should be for a grown woman regardless of whether or not she's married imo.

"Oohlala - you can spot the newer ones I think"

Oh yes, its easy. Just pop round for a cup of tea and see whether they put the milk in first!

yes interesting valium. i hadn't thought of miss for a girl and ms for a woman. but it makes sense.
i would still call any girl ms as that can stand for miss, in the same way that mr can stand for master. (i've never heard anyone actually say master - i doubt anyone really does?)

Oh my ___. Well, I opt out of the caste system that operates still in the UK. I'm not British so I'm exempt from classification.

Wishuponastar, I have a godson in America and when I write to him I put Master P Brosnan on the parcel. He's only 8. By the time he gets to 12 I'd already feel that Master was no longer quite as appropriate as it had been.

I'm not trying to imitate something old, such as Featherstone-Boughley de Asturias y Burbón. ooops got carried away there.

I may be a nobody and my children may be nobodies in the eyes of aristo-watchers, but we're not 'new' and we're not trying to be old. We're moving with the times and we're using names that accurately reflect our own histories.

God, I'm glad I live in Ireland sometimes even though economically we have our own flaws and problems. We don't HAVE to know our place for four hundred years after our grandparents were miners.

Valium - P Brosnan? seriously??

No it is actually another letter Brosnan and I changed that letter and lo and behold now you mention it, yes! Pearce Brosnan. Ha ha. NO, that is not his name!

haha - ok.
by the way, my great grandparents were miners. but ive never felt put in my place.
i take my milk the wrong way but think its a really silly rule, i like it the way i like it! the other half of my family is middle class though.

I wonder if I can ask a question here that's related but not totally relevant....

What will you children with double barrelled names do when they get married/have children? As triple plus barrelling isn't v common/practical. I have always wondered this, thanks!