Why did women use to sign their names as "Mrs. John Smith?
494058
I do both - some times the occassion calls for me to sign as an individual apart from my husband - otherwise, I and my husband are of one flesh and therefore I have no problem being Mrs. D.M.H.  and he has said it wouldn't bother him to sign as Mr. D.P.H. because he feels we are of one flesh as well. There was a time when the signet (signature) had to be physically handed down as it was usually a ring or medallion and as marriages were arranged it was usually handed to the first born son - but then as we modernized our ways it became more common for the man to pass the signet to his wife and during WWII when it was necessary for women to enter the workforce to meet the demands of the military, there was no man to receive a signet from and women began to use their own - be it their husbands name or their own. Social Security made it even easier for a woman to use her own signet but take note; Even today it is of more benefit if seeking government Social Security that you have a male spouse who you've been married to at least ten years.  I learned this in acquiring disability.  I didn't have one so I could only draw a portion of what I should have been alloted, so that the other portion could be drawn for my son.  Had I had a marriage of ten years I could have drawn twice what I do.  So there is still a set of double standards, and that is just what it is, a set of double standards - look at Hillary Rodham Clinton - which name really gives her the clout she has? You have posed a most excellent question - not often found on this forum!! Thank you.
327025
The issue of formal situations is highly confusing and i understand your confusion.\nIn some parts of the world(example Scandinevia) ladies and gentlemen prefer to be refered to on first name basis even in the most formal of enviroments ,whereas in other areas as U.k and its former colonies typically expect a title to prceed there names.\n\nHowever, always remember that it is better to err with the mistake of "overadressing " than vice versa and you can always end up being corrected if the person doesnt wish to be addressed so formally.\nI advise you use "Madam" when you verbally refer to her and "Mrs" if you do it in writing.
395683
Public record and also the woman changes her last name...K
618121
I don't fully understand the question the way you have it written. But if you are wondering why everything written refers to men or males in general rather than to all people - its because women were seen as second class citizens. Men made the laws, owned property, did the work that involved hard labor, etc.\nWomen were seen as a weaker sex, needed to be protected by men and only suitable for domestic work like taking care of children and home.  It was thought that our brains were weaker not just our physical bodies.\n\nOf course over the years women have proven quite capable of doing everything just as well as a man can except maybe writing her name in the snow with bodily fluids.
102552
"Miss" is typically used for an unmarried woman, and "Mrs." is used for a married woman.\n\n"Ms." is a non-specific salutation adopted in the 70s, advocated by supporters of women's rights.  The thoughts behind this were that it is sexual discrimination to have different salutations for a married woman vs. a single woman, while men have only the one - "Mr." - regardless of their marital status.
331949
Fidel Castro\n\n\nAs an example (see the diagram below), José López marries María Famosa. Their son is named Juan López Famosa. Juan, in turn marries Isabel Fernández García. The son of Juan and Isabel could be named Pedro López Fernández, Pedro López y Fernández, Pedro López Famosa y Fernández, or Pedro López Famosa y Fernández García - the last two forms preserving the "Famosa" surname for future generations.\n\n\nIt is important to note that, in Hispanic cultures, wives retain their maiden names when they marry. They can legally add their husband's surname(s) after their own, preceded by the word "de" ("of", implying "spouse of"). Thus, in the preceding example, Isabel Fernández could sign her name as Isabel Fernández de López, or as Isabel Fernández García de López Famosa. If her husband has died, she can use the words "viuda de" (widow of), abbreviated "vda. de", instead of just "de".
944290
The "queen mum" is short for the Queen Mother, which really means the Queen's Mother Who Was Herself a Queen.  She's dead.\n\nQueen Elizabeth II seems not to have any authority, but technically she does, as I am sure that she doesn't have to sign anything that she doesn't want to.  But that would cause an uproar you wouldn't believe.  And the Prime Minister has to go see her every week or so and go over the stuff they want her to sign.\n\nSo it's a bit of a puzzle as to just what kind of authority she has.  In actual practice she has no political authority...it's all theoretical.
375284
when i was working at a bank, the way you signed was their name, and then your name P.O.A.  Not sure if thats the politically correct way, thats just how our bank made members sign.
824064
Here's the accepted syntax...\n\nMr. William R. Smith, Jr.\nMr. William R. Smith III\n\nSince "Jr." and "III" both modify the name in front of them, I don't know why there is a difference in the acceptable format for using them in written form. I just know this is the way I was taught. A century ago. Back when they used quill pens and ink wells to address letters to Mr. William R. Smith, Jr. \n\nOr Mr. William R. Smith III.
67688
Usually you list the man's name first.  When writing Mr. and Mrs---- It isn't usually the proper way to write it as Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Sue Smith.  Kind of like calling Bob a Mrs. ya know?  \n\nAlso, it is also written as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith, because if the wife took her husband's name, traditionally she takes the full name, calling herself Mrs. (husband's first name and lastname).
507669
Put the name in quotes when you type it in.  "John Smith"
1017419
this happens to me on many official letters i clearly state Mrs  and i get Ms it is so annoying it shows total lack of respect that they dont care how you want to be addressed.\n\nit is a  case of political correctness\n\nyou cant tell if a man is married or not by his title\na man is Mr whetheror not he is married\nyou can tell if a woman is married or not by the title Miss or Mrs\nsome women object to this so came up with Ms\nunfortunatly the rest of are stuck with it.
12278
The traditional solution was that a divorcee was still Mrs....as a married woman, she was addressed as Mrs.John Soandso, after a divorce, she would become Mrs. Maidenname Soandso. NEVER Mrs. Mary Soandso.\n\nNow, it is really a matter of her personal preference, she can continue as Mrs.Soandso, or become Ms. Soandso, she can use both names together, with either Mrs. or Ms., or she can drop her married name and return to just using her maiden name, with Miss, Ms. or Mrs.\nThe one thing she can't do is be Miss Soandso.\n\nIf it's how YOU should be addressed, take your pick, if this is about how to address someone else, asking what she prefers is never wrong.
813016
It's believed to have been abreviated from Oll Korrect, used in Boston newspapers during the 1800's, as a deliberate misspelling of All Correct.\n\nApparently they liked using abbreviations apparently.
1090464
Elizabeth.  Its an old fashion name and men prefer to have an old fashion girl just like their mothers.
887675
She could be, but most women I know (including myself) use the form Ms.  It is not just for divorcees anymore!
796512
Mrs. is the honorific for married women.  .\n\nMs is an invented honorific that does not signify marital status either way.  It was designed specifically to conceal the marital status of a woman, for those who feel that a woman's status should not be defined by whether she has a husband or not.\n\nAlthough many divorced women use "Ms", it does NOT signify a divorced woman.  Married, unmarried, divorced or widowed women can ALL choose to be known as Ms.  Very often Ms is also used when the marital status of the woman in question is unknown, so as to avoid assumptions of marital status.\n\nMiss is an unmarried woman.