In Germany a married woman had to take the husband's name until 1957. Between 1957 and 1976 she was able to add her surname to the husband's one. So if a Johannes Schmidt and a Michaela Meier married, she could be either Michaela (Meier) Schmidt or Michaela (Meier) Schmidt-Meier. Since March 1991, it is possible that both spouses keep their own surname. They can decide to take either one though. So from then on also Johannes can be a Johannes (Schmidt) Meier. This wasn't possible before.