Hmm... For what it's worth... Emotionally I had stronger ties to my mother's ancestors than my dad's, although I had no problems with my dad himself and in fact am close to him... I don't like the sound of my maiden name... I hated the mess of changing my name, but I detested my married name and emotionally wanted to be unidentified with the marriage... Other options really didn't appeal to me at all. I went back to my maiden name even though I still don't like it much at all and think something else would sould tons more sophisticated and "me."