Scottish surname change

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Profile	Posted by	Options	Post Date
Member Since: September 2006 Posts: 108 Send Message	Katrinna	Report	31 Mar 2008 14:30
	A few of my scottish ancestors have baffled me. James Shanks was born James Shanks but when he got married in 1861 his name is on the marraige certificate as James Cruickshanks. His dad has even signed the certificate as Alexander Cruickshanks but he too was born a Shanks. Why would they add Cruick? All records going back from there are Shanks. Another of his sons has changed his name to Cruickshanks on his marriage certificate. Anyone have an explanation?
Member Since: November 2002 Posts: 12 949 Send Message	MarionfromScotland	Report	31 Mar 2008 14:34
	Maybe it was easier to say their name was Shanks,as some could not read or write. Marion
Member Since: February 2007 Posts: 555 Send Message	Alistair	Report	31 Mar 2008 15:58
	Shanks is probably a contraction of Cruikshanks (bandy-legged). Alistair