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Question: What need caused name change!?
My ancestor was born a Proudfoot but married under the name of Sessions!. There is no record of a deed poll change!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
My ancestors were renowned for doing "moonlight flits" and the surname was changed to the next name as soon as they arrived in their new town or city!. My family had a tendency to do a "flit" when they got into trouble with debts!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Perhaps they were living with a family called Sessions and changed their name to suit the circumstances, or had been married before!. As for deep poll I've no idea when you are talking about but they not have been able to afford that and you don't need to use deep poll to change your name not even today!.
Could you do a census check and see they were living with!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Not sure about American history but just thought that people choose to change their name for many reasons!. Maybe he decided to "cut out" his father for whatever reason!?
Or was Proudfoot a native Indian name and he felt this was not appropriate and chose his future wife's name, or the name of someone who had been good to him!? Www@QuestionHome@Com