Royal Last Names?

Question

Why do titled people take on the name of their title as their last name? I have noticed a lot, but I am unsure why.

Example: The Duke of Westminster, his name is Gerald Grosvenor but he goes by Gerald Westminster. Why is this? And what would be the proper way to refer to him? Also, what is this tradition called?

Answer 1

hmm...check www.yahoo.com

Answer 2

Royals are generally known by their ROYAL HOUSE names instead of surnames,to show the perpetuation of their family dynasty.

TITLES,whether royal or aristocratic(your example is not a royal,just a peer),are used to differentiate family members and family branches,because many peers carry more than one title.Using the title lets one know which family member is being referred to.

A good royal example is the Prince of Wales: his full name is Charles Philip Arthur George of the Royal House of Windsor,Prince of Wales,Duke of of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, Prince and Great Steward of Scotland and Earl of Chester. But he isn't known as Charles Windsor,or Charles Mountbatten- Windsor;he is known by his title the Prince of Wales and his children and wife are referred to as the Waleses.Both Harry and William have the name Wales on their military uniforms/badges.

When a person has a title title name is used;it's just the way titles and stylings are used.

Visit http://www.chinet.com/~laura/titles/titl...

for an in-depth look.

Another site that explains titles and stylings is http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page5656....

Answer 3

if they can do that, can i do that too?

uhh lets see, i live in Cainta, philippines

so i'll make my name The Catherine of Cainta....

umm...i should really stop talking now...

Answer 4

You aren't talking about royal last names, you are talking about peerage titles.

Gerald Westminster is simply an informality which links the holder's forename to his title for *recognition* purposes. In other cases, a peer would simply sign by the name of his peerage. In this waste "Westminster".

The tradition doesn't really have a name, it's just what it is. The proper way to refer to the Duke is as follows:

In writing, begin with My Lord Duke or "Dear Duke". Address to His Grace the Duke of <wherever>. In writing thereafter and in speech, refer to as Your Grace. Dukes, in full, formal title and style are The Most High, Noble and Potent Prince His Grace <forename>, Duke of <wherever>. Someone writing would not use that though.

I know exactly who is downvoting me, by the way.