User blog comment:Crazywarfire/My Dishonored Theories/Explanations./@comment-84.140.58.19-20130809203417/@comment-4357842-20130809215758

I'm pretty sure that the Dishonored Universe has some screwy conditions for marriage. Let's also note how this is a theory not a cannon explanation. Emily's biological father is dead in that theory. I'm not saying she kept her maiden name after marriage but I'm saying she reverted back to it after the theorized husband theoretically died.

Also, while the game may appear to be set in the 19th centry, it doesn't mean that the game is exactly the same as the 19th centry. In the Dishonored Universe, they could have a lot of traditions and customs that are vastly different than ours. A great example is the Fugue Feast.