Changing surname back to Irish version

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mprsv1000

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With Smyth as my surname I have often considered changing it back to the Irish version Mcgabhan, I know my family are from Cavanwell back as far as great great grandfather and that the English anglicised the name to smyth.

is it possible to offically change surname back an dif so any ideas on how to go about it.

(in case anyone is wondering why its just that I hate the name smyth, its so common and I cringe when I book a hotel.......you can hear them thinking smyth yea right...)
 
Maybe your wifes surname is a little more different, and you can start using that........
 
Maybe your wifes surname is a little more different, and you can start using that........
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:D

but seriously ... Change of name by deed poll, the link ClubMan kindly provided in his post on the "Getting Married" thread.

PS I would expect that your wife would also have to do the same for herself if she wishes to lose the Smyth and take up the McGabhan
 
huskerdu said:
Maybe your wifes surname is a little more different, and you can start using that........
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Not unless she refunds the money I spent on the engagement ring and pays for the bloody wedding (next December) I'll check out the deed pol thing cheers
 
mprsv1000 said:
With Smyth as my surname I have often considered changing it back to the Irish version Mcgabhan, I know my family are from Cavanwell back as far as great great grandfather and that the English anglicised the name to smyth.

is it possible to offically change surname back an dif so any ideas on how to go about it.

(in case anyone is wondering why its just that I hate the name smyth, its so common and I cringe when I book a hotel.......you can hear them thinking smyth yea right...)
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I think thats a really strange reaction. I'm not sure how the thousands of Smith/Smyths out there would feel about that . If your're worried about what the check in staff of a hotel are thinking about you I think you need to book onto a self esteem course pronto
 
don't think you need go deed poll to change your name to the Irish version; after all both English & Irish are national languages. Just start using it. You'll get some ignarance and you'll have to spell it everytime, but just go ahead. Tell your bank manager and employer that this is how you want to be know & so your official documentation will start changing. There'll be a period unless you are very organised while some things are in Eng and some in Irish. No problem with most Irish people.
 
mprsv1000 said:
Not unless she refunds the money I spent on the engagement ring and pays for the bloody wedding (next December) I'll check out the deed pol thing cheers
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Thats an odd thing to say. Why does it matter who pays for the wedding?
 
capall said:
I think thats a really strange reaction. I'm not sure how the thousands of Smith/Smyths out there would feel about that . If your're worried about what the check in staff of a hotel are thinking about you I think you need to book onto a self esteem course pronto
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Self -esteem is not an issue I simply think the name is as common as much and have never liked it, also I would like my kids to have a more traditional Irish surname. What others with the surname think or feel about their's is of no concern to me. Its a personal thing
 
mprsv1000 said:
Self -esteem is not an issue I simply think the name is as common as much and have never liked it, also I would like my kids to have a more traditional Irish surname. What others with the surname think or feel about their's is of no concern to me. Its a personal thing
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I would have to agree, it's a strange reaction. A surname change is a bit extreme. Just remember, whatever your reason for trying to change what people call you, you are still you, still look and sound the same, and people will not judge you or your children by what your new name will be, only by what you do.

It's nothing to do with your children carrying on a name that you don't want them to for some reason?
 
A name being as common as muck as you say is not a negative thing.
It means that your distance male ancestors have been genetically more successful than others.

I do thing some irish names are much better in the original.I remember a teacher is school named Looney which we thought was hilarious,whereas the irish version is O'Luanaigh ,much better. I noticed there was a guy on the waterford hurling team called Malumphy,which sounds horrible Irish would be O'Maol something ,again much better.

Alot of Mac Gabhanns anglicised to Mac Gowan ,its possible you are a Smyth of english descent and your family were never McGabhan
 
capall said:
A name being as common as muck as you say is not a negative thing.
It means that your distance male ancestors have been genetically more successful than others.


Alot of Mac Gabhanns anglicised to Mac Gowan ,its possible you are a Smyth of english descent and your family were never McGabhan
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If my male ancestors were successful then they would continue to have their Irish surnames not an anglicised verson and having traced my family tree back a way we originate from Cavan where the Mcgabhan name was changes to smyth to make it pronouncable to the English.... anyway obviously a name doesn't change who I am.. But I can still dislike it...The cloths we wear don't define who we are but we change them at will.... I don't like the surname smyth and never have so if there is an oppurtunity to change it I wll so why not back to its origional form.. the why's and why not's are a personal thing. but thanks for the advice
 
OP ,Just winding you up.

The Mac Gabhann sept originated in cavan so if you have roots there you are definitely a Mac Gabhann

I would definitely change back to Mac Gabhann if you feel as you do.
 
Was in touch with the passport office and they said all I have to do is prove I have been using the irish version of my surname for the last 12 months and they will change it on my passport, so just have to get onto the "bill people"
I'd have done it years ago if I knew it was that simple, well I have to see what the "bill people" say first I suppose
 
capall said:
I think thats a really strange reaction. I'm not sure how the thousands of Smith/Smyths out there would feel about that . If your're worried about what the check in staff of a hotel are thinking about you I think you need to book onto a self esteem course pronto
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Well said. Besides, I thought a McGrabbin was a hamburger ordered on a drive-thru ?
 
Ah, apologies, sounded like it. Imagine causing difficulties for everyone you meet in life - not just in Ireland - by deliberately changing your name to an awkward to spell and pronounce name that nobody has ever heard of. Might be handy though for dodging old bills.

Still its a free world , thank God, and the poster has the right to change his name to whatever he / she wants, by deed poll I assume. I would have no problem with that.
 
rabbit said:
Ah, apologies, sounded like it. Imagine causing difficulties for everyone you meet in life - not just in Ireland - by deliberately changing your name to an awkward to spell and pronounce name that nobody has ever heard of. Might be handy though for dodging old bills.

Still its a free world , thank God, and the poster has the right to change his name to whatever he / she wants, by deed poll I assume. I would have no problem with that.
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What do you mean ? No one has heard of Mac Gabhann ? And where might you be from ?
 
rabbit said:
Imagine causing difficulties for everyone you meet in life - not just in Ireland - by deliberately changing your name to an awkward to spell and pronounce name that nobody has ever heard of.
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To paraphrase capall ... eh!?! :confused:
Might be handy though for dodging old bills.
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You mean peelers?
 
yeah. to stop any creditors grabbin' Mcgabbin. Not to mention confusing immigration and other authorities in other jurisdictions. Handy.
 
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