E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Married Women
take their husband’s surname. This was a Roman custom. Thus Julia, Octavia, etc., married to Pompey, Cicero, etc., would be called Julia of Pompey, Octavia of Cicero. Our married women are named in the same way, omitting “of.”
