Why are titles and territorial designations being entered as surnames/last names?

Question

I am regularly seeing profiles where the person's title or territorial designation is being shown as his/her surname/family name and the actual surname/family name shown as though it is a former name. In law a person keeps his/her name unless it is changed by deed poll in England/statutory declaration in Scotland or by Royal Warrant or Letters Patent. My name is Mark Sutherland-Fisher and I use "Esq" because the Queen recognises me as a Gentleman in my Letters Patent. IF I acquired the old Baronial title "Baron of Cadboll" or am granted a Baronetcy "of Cadboll", my surname would remain Sutherland-Fisher although I would be entitle to design myself as Mark Sutherland-Fisher of Cadboll or Sir John Sutherland-Fisher of Cadboll, Bt, respectively. I insert titles and territorial designations in the nickname so it appears in the middle of the profile name but retain the individual's surname as his/her surname because that is what it is and remains.

If I am wrong, someone please explain why in law, I am wrong or is it just a Wikitree practice?

Comments

I think it's an attempt to work round WikiTree's name displays and lists being generally ambiguous and confusing.

Answer 1

"just a Wikitree practice?"

I think you assume too much. There are many arm-chair genealogists, including here on WikiTree, who simply do not know what they're doing.