[ELI5]: Why do people sometimes refer to a husbands wife as, “Mrs. (Husband’s name) Smith?” Like the husbands first name but just Mrs. at the start? Wouldn’t it be easier to just say her name?

Question

[ELI5]: Why do people sometimes refer to a husbands wife as, “Mrs. (Husband’s name) Smith?” Like the husbands first name but just Mrs. at the start? Wouldn’t it be easier to just say her name?

In: Other

Answer 1

Traditionally, a man’s estate would be more significant than a single woman’s, so her change from a mistress to a mastress would represent a socio-economic promotion dependent on her marriage. Miss Jane Doe has a different presumed wealth and social position than Mrs. John Smith.