The dos and don’ts of men taking their wife’s name… and the celebs who got it wrong with ‘performative’ gestures – as Adam Ramsay-Peaty debuts new surname on Commonwealth Games swimming cap

When John Lennon took his wife Yoko Ono’s surname after their wedding in 1969, the legendary Beatle said it was for ‘good luck’.

And Adam Ramsay-Peaty will surely be hoping that his and wife Holly Ramsay’s decision to combine their surnames will be similarly lucky ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The three-time Olympic winner, 31, was spotted swimming at a training session in Glasgow yesterday and fans were quick to spot her sweet tribute to TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s impressive daughter Holly.

While Holly, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, handed Adam a bonnet with her new surname in her seal of approval, etiquette expert Laura Windsor suggested the name change was ‘performative’ in light of the family drama that almost overshadowed the couple’s wedding last year.

Like Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, who changed his name after marrying wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, Adam updated his name on Instagram shortly after the couple exchanged wedding vows at Bath Abbey in December.

But the weddings were marred by controversy after Adam’s mother banned him from attending the wedding due to an ongoing violent row, first revealed by this newspaper.

She has since been criticized for ‘cashing in’ on her famous father-in-law, with the Queen of Etiquette telling the Daily Mail: ‘The public nature of the name change undermines what would otherwise be a thoughtful and generous gesture.

‘While taking a loved one’s surname can deepen the bond and make them feel special, there is a right and wrong way to do it,’ he added.

Mrs Windsor explained how ‘etiquette has improved’ and that it is now ‘increasingly common for men to adopt their wives’ names’; but suggested that doing so in the midst of family squabbles could ‘raise questions about their integrity, emotional intelligence and sense of tradition’.

“It may run the risk of being seen as performative behavior rather than a meaningful, symbolic gesture of love,” the expert said.

Adam and Brooklyn’s decision to publicly change their names in light of their estrangement from their parents felt like a ‘clear message’ to ‘make a point’.

Ms Windsor explained: ‘Boys send a very clear message to their parents; They emphasize their unity, distance themselves from family tensions and emphasize that this is their own life.

‘Is the measure good or bad? Keeping family matters private, practicing emotional intelligence, putting ego aside, and trying to resolve problems are good etiquette. ‘There is a risk that public exhibitions will become theatrical and performance.’

Explaining the history of double-barrelled names in Britain, Laura claimed that they were used to bind inheritance and property through marriage rather than as any kind of affectionate gesture.

Ms Windsor, who previously advised Netflix on Regency-era social privileges for hit series Bridgerton, added that traditionally the hyphenated surname signified a single, shared family name and both were ‘equally important’.

“If the last name is not hyphenated, the middle name (which in this case is the spouses’ names) can be considered a middle name, which is often omitted in everyday use,” Laura said.

It’s unclear whether Adam and Brooklyn have officially hyphenated their names.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which were launched by the King and Queen during the official opening ceremony yesterday, Adam was accused by his estranged family of ‘cashing in’ on his wife’s famous family.

The man updated his nickname on Instagram shortly after the couple exchanged wedding vows at Bath Abbey in December.

The 31-year-old Olympian, who hopes to make history at the event with Team Great Britain in July, uses his married name, Adam Ramsay-Peaty, because “the name Ramsay opens doors,” a family source insists.

An insider told the Daily Mail on Thursday: ‘As much as he wants to be Adam Ramsay, he’s not him. He is a Peaty.

‘The Man’ has financial control and is making money off the Ramsay name because it opens doors.

‘It plays a role.’

The swimmer married Gordon’s phenomenon daughter Holly Ramsay, 26, in a high-profile wedding at Bath Abbey in December and banned his mother Caroline and other family members from attending the wedding due to a bitter ongoing row first revealed by this newspaper last autumn.

He has been completely adopted by the world-famous TV chef and his wife Tana and even calls them ‘dad’ and ‘mom’.

A source close to Mark’s ‘devastated’ parents, from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, who have supported him throughout his career, said: ‘The man is ashamed of his roots and upbringing.’

They say he has “changed incredibly” since becoming part of the Ramsay clan, leaving the family “hurt, disappointed, confused and devastated”.

Adam changing his name to Ramsay-Peaty and registering for the Games in Glasgow with his double-barreled surname is the final blow to his estranged loved ones, especially as Ramsay trumps Peaty.

However, the athlete will need to put any personal matters aside for now as Adam hopes to make history by becoming the first British swimmer to win gold medals at four consecutive Commonwealth events.

This will be his first big event since marrying Holly.

He secured his place at the Commonwealth Games after winning the 100m breaststroke at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in April and being publicly praised by his proud wife.

Having made her debut at the event in 2014, she has previously won four Commonwealth gold medals and three silver medals.