Hi Susanne
Thanks for your response.
I know from family history what is the instance in the particular case I was trying to find a few more 'facts' on but was wondering if there had been any hard and fast law.
One of my ancestors had no Fathers name of his birth certificate and therefore took his Mothers surname. His Mother was only sixteen and her Mother wouldnt allow them to marry. She went on to have two further children to him (twins), three years later and still unmarried so they also took the Mothers maiden name. They eventually married fourteen years later! The children always kept the Mothers maiden name!
Sandra