deed poll

American  

[pohl] / poʊl /

noun

Law.

plural

deeds poll

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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Etymology

Origin of deed poll

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

In a bid to help promote the fishing industry he even briefly changed his name by deed poll to Austin Haddock in 2002.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2021

Mr Mitchell was a colourful figure in the North East Lincolnshire port, even temporariliy changing his name by deed poll to Austin Haddock in 2002 in a bid to promote the fishing industry.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2021

Kaiser changed it by deed poll years ago, borrowing inspiration from Keyser Söze, the character in the film The Usual Suspects who has a double life.

From The Guardian • Jun. 28, 2018

A smiley care worker from Liverpool, Benson recently changed his middle name by deed poll to I Love Spam.

From The Guardian • Jul. 22, 2017

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

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell