Intermediate/Advanced Article
“Deed Polls vs Poll Deeds”
I recently worked with a tour group visiting our collection researching their British and Irish ancestry.
On multiple occasions they discovered situations that involved the historical terms deed poll and poll
deeds. They vaguely remembered hearing the terms over the years but had no recollection of the
implications. From a genealogical perspective, here is a brief overview of both terms.
The definition of a “deed poll” is a legal document signed by only one person or several people with a
common interest, to declare their intention or create an obligation. It’s historical origin dates back to
the 16th century and became the standard way to change one's name in the UK in the 20th century.
The etymology definition of the term “poll” refers to the straight-cut edge of the parchment. This
straight edge visually differentiated it from an indenture, which was a deed signed by multiple parties.
It’s original purpose was primarily for what was commonly associated with changing one's name.
The definition of a “poll deed” is essentially the same concept as the deed poll, with the earliest known
usage appearing in the early 1500s. It was the earlier form of the term, with deed poll emerging later to
describe this specific type of single-party document. Like the deed poll, it is a deed executed by only
one party, distinguishing it from an indenture. From a genealogical research perspective both of these
terms are most likely to appear in historical records for the countries listed below with legal systems
influenced by English common law.
- United Kingdom: Deed Polls are commonly used for name changes in England, Wales, and
Northern Ireland. Many records are held in The National Archives at Kew and other government
repositories. While not required in Scotland for name changes, the term is still understood. - Ireland: Similar to the UK, Ireland uses deed polls for name changes, which can be enrolled in
court to make them part of a public record. Ireland uses a deed poll for a change of name," which can be found through the Central Office of the Four Courts in Dublin. - Hong Kong: A deed poll may be used for name changes, though it must be signed in the
presence of a solicitor. It was also used to partition land. - Singapore: Deed polls are used for name changes.
- Australia: This country formerly used the deed poll system for name changes until November 1,
2000, when it was replaced by a different form. You may find older records if your ancestors were
living there before that date.
For successful genealogical research involving name changes you must remember there were enrolled deed polls and non-enrolled deed polls. Enrolled deed polls are where name changes are registered with the public courts, making it a matter of public record. Only a minority of deed polls
were "enrolled," or placed on public record, so the relevant document may not exist. Non-enrolled deed polls were signed with witnesses, that proves the name change. It's still a valid document, though it's not recorded in the public record in the same way as an enrolled deed poll. Sources for locating this information include the following options.
- Official records: In the UK, enrolled deed poll records dating back to 1851 can be found at The
National Archives. - Newspaper announcements: It was common for people who changed their name to publish an
announcement in a local or national newspaper, such as The London Times. - Indexes: W. P. Phillimore and Edward Alex Fry compiled An Index to Changes of Name for UK
and Ireland 1760–1901, which is a helpful resource. - Family records: The person's family might have kept the document. Unfortunately, without a
public enrollment or a family copy, the records can be very difficult to trace. - Relinquishing holy orders: In some jurisdictions, such as England and Wales, it can be used by
clergy of the Church of England to give up their holy orders.
When searching for records, keep the following criteria in mind. The most common genealogical use of a deed poll is to record a name change, including a surname, first name, or middle name. While the
legal term is deed poll, it may appear in genealogical records under other names, such as deed of
change of name. As stated previously, not all deed polls were recorded in a public registry. Some older
records from the UK were "enrolled," meaning they were registered and added to public records.
Unenrolled deed polls would have remained in the family's private possession. Records for enrolled deed polls can be found at national archives, such as The National Archives in the UK. For genealogists, the most prominent advantage of using deed polls is helping resolve a brick wall or clarify an ancestor's identity, especially if their name unexpectedly changes between records.
Some of the most prominent advantages include the following.
- Identifies name changes: A deed poll can explain why a person's name may appear differently in later records, helping to track the correct individual. This is especially valuable in historical
research where census records may be incomplete or missing. - Adds family details: The document may contain details about the name change, which can offer
clues about an ancestor's life events, such as a marriage, a wish to identify with a different culture, or a simple preference for a different name. - Establishes identity: For people who changed their name without the benefit of a marriage
certificate, the deed poll provides the necessary documentary evidence to update records. - Locates family witnesses: Historically, deed polls were often signed and witnessed by family
members. If an ancestor is listed as a witness, it can help confirm family relationships that might
not be recorded elsewhere.
The genealogical research benefits of using poll deeds includes the following.
- Verifies a name change: A poll deed for a name change (also known as a deed of change of
name) explicitly documents when and why a person officially abandoned their old name in favor
of a new one. This is critical for connecting an individual's identity across different records that
may use different names. - Links family members: If the name change involves a family unit, the deed can provide evidence of those relationships. For example, a parent might apply for a poll deed to change a child's name, which can help confirm the parental relationship.
- Aids in cross-referencing records: Poll deeds can help reconcile an ancestor's name in other
genealogical records, such as birth, marriage, death, or naturalization certificates. This is
especially useful for ancestors who changed their name to sound more "American" or who
reverted to a maiden name after a divorce. - Locates and tracks ancestors: For genealogists, finding an enrolled poll deed places an
ancestor in a specific location at a particular time. This data point helps to track their movements
and residency, which can guide further research.
Locating poll deeds can sometimes be challenging. While most were not officially enrolled, some
individuals chose to make them public record.
- National Archives (UK): The National Archives holds records for enrolled poll deeds for changes
of name made before 2003 in England and Wales. Name indexes are held on-site at Kew. - FamilySearch Catalog: For other parts of the world, and especially for older records, the
FamilySearch catalog can help locate microfilm copies of historical deed books from courthouse - County courthouse records: Some may be recorded in county deed books alongside other land records. Checking these records can be valuable for jurisdictions where an ancestor may have lived.
- Legal resources websites: For modern changes of name, online legal resources and
government websites may contain registries or guidance on how to search for registered deed
polls.
For more information on this topic, please visit the following sources.
Moore, Susan T. Tracing Your Ancestors Through the Equity Courts: A Guide for Family & Local Historians. 2017.Genealogy (ENG) 929.3 Moore
Bryan L. Mulcahy
Reference-Genealogy Librarian
Fort Myers Regional Library
bmulcahy@leegov.com10/21/2025