Why do married women take their husband’s last name?
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Western families are defined by the paternal line, so by tradition the family lineage is defined primarily from the male line. So the males family name usually takes precedence.
Male children were also the inheritors, being the ones to take over the family lands, businesses, and holdings.
This could be considered a hold over from a time when Women and Children were considered the property of the husband in the eyes of the law. Many Conservative Religious countries still enforce this kind of thinking.
But the Romans too were Paternal and much of Western culture is still heavily influenced by the Romans.
Particularly in the ruling classes Marriage was often more a political tool than for love. Daughters of high ranking officials, nobleman, and kings would be married off to create alliances because you are more likely to be loyal to a King when he’s family.
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