In 1817, the 5th Duke obtained permission to assume and bear the surname of Churchill in addition to his surname of Spencer, to perpetuate the name of his illustrious great-great-grandfather. At the same time, he received Royal Licence to quarter the coat of arms of Churchill with his paternal arms of Spencer.Paul Courtenay, The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill. (accessed 20 July 2013). The double-barrelled surname of "Spencer-Churchill" has been used by family members since 1817, although some members have preferred to style themselves simply as "Churchill".
In 1817, the 5th Duke obtained permission to assume and bear the surname of Churchill in addition to his surname of Spencer, to perpetuate the name of his illustrious great-great-grandfather. At the same time, he received Royal Licence to quarter the coat of arms of Churchill with his paternal arms of Spencer.Paul Courtenay, The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill. (accessed 20 July 2013). The double-barrelled surname of "Spencer-Churchill" has been used by family members since 1817, although some members have preferred to style themselves simply as "Churchill".