i guess I'm the exception that proves the rule - my father's family name hasn't changed in seven hundred years or so. Well, there was the one branch in the late 1700/early 1800s that dropped the second "T," but their kids put it right back. And when people hear it, they think of a harbor in upstate New York or a fictional family created by Louis L'Amour.

I would go with Colin's suggestion. It will honor your ancestors while sidestepping the mess legally changing your name, then chaning your driver's license, voter's registration, selective service registration, passport, credit cards, bank accounts, any service accounts (telephone, cell, internet, cable, utilities, etc). I had a couple of friends get married early last year, and they're still getting sorted out with the computer systems at work.
Quote Originally Posted by auld argonian View Post
One of our favorite friendly jibes upon hearing someone give his name has always been, "...yeah?...what was it before you changed it?" Indeed, my family often just gives the name "Grant" instead of "Gronkowski" when making restaurant reservations just because we are tired of being asked if "...we can spell that...?"..."yes, I can spell it...can you? Just take your best shot at it." It's pretty simple when you stop and think about it.
Occasionally, when a member of the public gets upset with us at work:
"I'm going to complain to your supervisor! What's your name?!"
"Kwiatsekaski."
"How do you spell that?"
"Oh, it's the common spelling."