My maiden name was my father's last name (of course). But my mother and her parents raised and fed me while my father and his wealthy family did nothing for us. So when I got divorced, I didn't want my ex-husband's name (we didn't have any kids, and it sounds like something naughty). I legally changed my name to my mother's maiden name. She later went back to it also. So my name is like my mother's. I didn't take my 2nd husband's last name. It's 11 letters long and apparently tricky for others. When I spell my son's name, we go back and forth a few times. I'm a geneologist's nightmare! So *I*wouldn't put my maiden name, but I think it's a good idea for heirlooms. Btw, in many countries, the woman doesn't change her name when marrying, so ALL moms have different last names than their kids.