Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—M

Married Women

take their husband's surname. This was a Roman custom. Thus Julia, Octavia, etc., married to Pompey, Cicero, etc., would be called Julia of Pompey, Octavia of Cicero. Our married women are named in the same way, omitting “of.”

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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Marriages of Men of Genius
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