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2 N. Y. L. Rev. 1 (1924)
What's in a Name

handle is hein.journals/nylrev2 and id is 3 raw text is: ' NEW-YORK 1 LAW REVIEW- Volume II JANUARY, 1924 Number 1 WHAT'S IN A NAME? The legal name of a person consists of a Christian name and a surname, the former being given at birth or baptism, the latter being the patronymic derived from the common name of his parents. But such has not always been the case. In the early life of all races surnames were unknown, given names being employed to identify and distinguish individuals (Smith v. U. S. Casualty Co., 197 N. Y. 420; In re Snook, 2 Hilt. 566). In England, surnames were unknown until the time of the Conqueror, and did not come into general use until several cen- turies thereafter, and were not considered of controlling im- portance until the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 1558-1603 (Snook's case, supra). The surname, in its origin, was not, as a rule, inherited from the father, but was either voluntarily adopted by the son or conferred upon him by his neighbors (Dudgeon's Origin of Surnames). In consequence, father and son did not always bear the same surname, which circumstance was not deemed of importance, as each not uncommonly had more than one (Smith case, supra; Bacon's Abr., Misnomer, A; Bulton v. Wrightman, Popham's Rep. 56). But a person could have but one Christian name (Loyd's case, Noy 135; Kent v. Wichall, Owen 48; Rex V. Newman, 1 Raym. 562). In modern times the surname has become the principal name, instead of the given name (Snook's case, supra). While among English speaking peoples who have inherited NOTE-To insure regularity of service, subscribers are urged to notify the publishers of any change of address. -ubscribers who do not receive the magazine before the 10th of the month of issue are requested to notify the publishers. Missing numbers cannot be supplied gratis unless such notice is given. Subscribers who do not desire to renew their subscription are requested to give notice to this effect, as otherwise the magazine will be continued temporarily until their wishes can be ascertained. Terms of subscription are $6 a year, payable in advance. Subscriptions are not accepted for fractional parts of a year.