What are mothers’ maiden names in family history research?

A maiden name refers to a woman’s surname before marriage.  

In many cultures, it’s traditional for women to take their husband’s surname after marriage. The surname that they’re born with – often, but not always their father’s name – is replaced by the name of their new husband.  

This means that maiden names may be forgotten over generations, as women choose to adopt their new partners’ surnames. 

For genealogical research, it is often important to know a woman’s maiden name. When adding a woman to your family tree, using their maiden name rather than any married names they may have had means you can find records from their early lives, like birth records, school records and their family’s census returns.  

If you know that your mother – or any other woman in your family tree – changed their surname over the course of their life, be sure to take this into account when searching for their family history records. If you know they were married in 1950, for example, be sure to use their married name when searching for events after this date. If what you’re looking for happened before 1950, then you’ll need to use their maiden name. 

When tracing your family history online, you should be able to uncover an ancestor’s maiden name by searching certain genealogy records. Records that may contain maiden names include: 

• Birth certificates – most birth records list the mother’s maiden name alongside her married name 
• Baptism and other church records – while the information provided can vary, a lot of baptism records list maiden names as well as married names 
• Marriage certificates – a bride’s maiden name is usually listed on her marriage record 
• Death notices and obituaries – dedications published in old newspapers after a woman has died may include mentions of her family name 

Look into naming patterns 

When tracing your family history, look out for any unusual or repeated middle names. Your ancestors' middle name may in fact be their mothers’ maiden name, given to them to carry on the legacy of their maternal side.  

Check old photographs 

You may be surprised by the clues that old family photos can contain. If your relatives were organised with their documentation, a simple scribble on the back of a photograph may reveal the name of an unknown ancestor.  

Reach out for help 

If you’re struggling to trace your female relatives online, churches and local archives may hold the records you need – be sure to ask for assistance when you need it.