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From shame to pride: A surname's journey
Dr. Andy Mycock has spent 58 years dodging laughter over his last name. Now, he's learning to reclaim it-one joke at a time.
A name that followed him everywhere
Born and raised in Buxton, Derbyshire, Mycock never questioned his surname-until he left home. In his hometown, the name was common, tied to a 19th-century farmer and publican, Solomon Mycock, whose legacy includes a local temple. But university in Salford changed everything.
"On my first day, I noticed people laughing when I enrolled, picked up my student ID, or opened a bank account," Mycock said. "I realized my name would make me the punchline in every room."
The daily toll of a 'funny' name
Simple tasks-calling a bank, collecting a parcel, or filling out online forms-became minefields. Some platforms even blocked searches for his surname. "You're always waiting for the raised eyebrow, the suppressed laugh," he said. "You can never relax."
His mother, Patricia, divorced his father partly to shed the name. His sisters changed theirs at 16. "I thought about it too," Mycock admitted, "but I stayed with it."
A turning point: Humor as armor
After 25 years with his partner, Jennie, who never saw his name as an issue, Mycock began reframing his experiences. "She noticed how it affected me," he said. "Why would anyone choose to endure that?"
He started using humor as a shield, even turning his surname into a comedy show. Last year, he performed at the Buxton Festival Fringe, drawing an audience of fellow Mycocks. "Getting to the joke first became my coping mechanism," he said.
Reclaiming the narrative
Mycock now sees his surname as an icebreaker. "People remember me in ways they might not if I were Andrew Smith," he said. "It's a way to stand out."
But he warns against unchecked laughter. "There's an emotional cost. Always ask if the person is okay with it-or laugh later, not in their face."
What's next
Mycock will share his story in Andy Mycock: Named, Unashamed, airing on BBC Radio 4 at 19:15 on Sunday, April 19. He's also returning to the Buxton Festival Fringe this summer with a new show.
"My surname is amusing, so enjoy it. But be aware: not everyone is in on the joke."
Andy Mycock
