If the name is capitalized, for example, should it be McDONALD or MCDONALD?
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McDonald is already capitalized. You’re talking about something else.– tchrist ♦Jul 17, 2013 at 16:00
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3Using a lowercase letter in a capitalized name is illegal in seventeen states already.– John LawlerJul 17, 2013 at 16:16
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-1 Surnames aren't usually capitalised, so the answer to this question is probably going to depend on why it is capitalised in the first place.– toryanJul 17, 2013 at 17:48
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@toryan NB: “Capitalized” means that the first letter is in uppercase. It is not the same as writing something in all capitals.– tchrist ♦Jul 17, 2013 at 18:36
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@tchrist Fair enough, although I meant all caps in the same way as the question.– toryanJul 17, 2013 at 18:57
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1 Answer
This is a matter of personal preference and/or a style guide, but here's what I recall from one usage authority (The Right Word at the Right Time, published by the Reader's Digest).
Smith > SMITH
La Salle > LA SALLE
LaSalle > LaSALLE
la Salle > LA SALLE
Macdonald > MACDONALD
MacDonald > MacDONALD
McDonald > McDONALD
