deed poll

American  

[pohl] / poʊl /

noun

Law.

deeds poll plural

1. a deed signed and executed only by the grantor.

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deed poll British  

noun

1. law a deed made by one party only, esp one by which a person changes his name

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• deeds poll
  plural

Etymology

Origin of deed poll

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

An inquest into Mr Lawrence's death, which opened at Wakefield Coroner's Court on Monday, was told the suspect was born Owen Lawrence Eames, before changing his name by deed poll.

From BBC • May 12, 2025

Anyone who has visited Fratton Park over the last 30-odd years is likely to have seen and heard John Anthony Portsmouth Football Club Westwood, who changed his name by deed poll in 1989.

From The Guardian • Mar. 13, 2019

Ms Ziuzina, who lives in Marbella and has changed her name by deed poll to Julianna Moore, was not in court in London.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2017

Mr Fishfinger, a rival candidate who changed his name by deed poll, stood directly behind Farron and pulled faces during his speech.

From Time • Jun. 9, 2017

I'd have to change my name by deed poll, but Dad’d never let me.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell