Originally Posted by
allodial
Very interesting.
I suspect that at least long ago the household was regarded to be a government or a county or a jurisdiction itself. Thusly, only the husband voted since the household made its decision as a group. Just like you might have New York, New York you might have David, Smith or David; Smith. However, on the other hand, apart from the obvious significance of David William, the use of David William Smith, David W. Smith, David Smith or D. Smith or Smith could be utilized to show a diminished status such as that of a soldier in contrast with an office holder or a sovereign or a free man.
These days the term "family name" seems to have loaded meanings. Once when asked what my "family name" was, I brought up the distinction between "family's name" vs 'family name" and asked if they were asking my family's name or my family name, the State actor acquiesced. It was clear that they were not asking me the name of my clan or family but using a loaded legal word "family name". It may be that the term "family name" is a term associated with letters patents, charters, diplomas etc (licenses, permissions, grants).