Double surname: new opportunities for family law

Information on the appearance of the first double surnames refer to the 10th century - the period of the feudal West, where they were assigned by the names of granted or hereditary land plots. With each generation, they could change in connection with the acquisition of new possessions.

In ancient Russia, this practice did not exist, since even the princes were not allowed to keep their plots of property, let alone transfer them by inheritance.

As for Russia, in the middle of the XIX century, double Russian surnames were often formed literary way, when the pseudonym of the writer merged with his real name. For example, Mamin-Sibiryak or Saltykov-Shchedrin.

And only at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the emancipation of women, the double surname became very popular in modern society. In the past, there was a time when the spouses were obliged to go under the wing of their husbands.

According to statistics, today more than 80% of young girls enter the family of a spouse after marriage, about 15% prefer to leave their pre-marital name and only 5% of newlyweds have a double surname.

In the most rare cases, the groom voluntarily turns into the family of his bride. Typically, this happens in situations where it is absolutely necessary. For example, when his pre-marital name does not sound very nice or causes negative associations.

Can I take a double surname today?

The Russian Family Code does not restrict Russians in the choice of names, however, it is worth taking into account some of the nuances. Since the double surname in modern Russia is a rare phenomenon, those who are considering such a variant of changing their signature, it is worthwhile to know that both of them are immediately received by both husband and wife. The surname of the spouse should always be in the first place, while the spouses should only be on the second place.

As for the assignment of a double family name to a child, this desire most often arises in those couples where, after marriage, the woman chose to retain her premarital signature. Under Russian law, the double surname, which is assigned to a minor child, should consist only of my mother and father, but not of grandparents or grandmothers. But the most important thing is that you can give it to your baby only if one of the parents takes it too. The fact is that according to the law a child can only get a surname from his mother or father.

And how is family law regulated in other countries of the world? For example, in Canada (Quebec), the law prohibits girls from taking the surname of their spouse. As believe in Quebec, it is a personal family value, and a woman is not a thing that must each time try on the signature of the next owner.
But in America, newlyweds after marriage can easily take on a completely different family name without problems.

Without a doubt, one last name for two is an excellent symbol of the unification of two loving people in a single whole. In the end, it is not so important as it is for your family. The main thing is that in your home reigned love, mutual understanding and respect, which have long been the main components of every happy marriage.