why do spouses take their wifes surname?

[cobber2]

i have two relatives who have taken their wives surname was this widely practiced as one was late 1800s and the other 1920s sure makes it hard when they do this any clues why they did this. cobber2

[Polwarth]

To hide from the law? Their wife was the last of her name? To inherit money? Lots of reasons!

[Celyn]

I'd probably guess the "inherit" money explanation, if, you know,the wife was likely to inherit money but only if she kept her own family name.

I'm not sure that it can make it all that much more difficult for a family researcher than the still more widely practised habit of a woman agreeing to use her husband's name.