Ty Pennington changed his name because he adopted the surname of his stepfather, Nick Pennington, after his mother remarried.
Understanding Ty Pennington's Birth Name
Ty Pennington was born Gary Tygert Burton Jr. He received this name from his biological father.
The Family Background Leading to the Name Change
His parents separated when he was three years old. Following the separation, his mother, Yvonne Vickery, remarried Nick Pennington. Interestingly, Nick Pennington was a bass player who had been in his biological father's band. It was through this remarriage that the surname "Pennington" became associated with him, ultimately leading to him being known as Ty Pennington.
This common practice of adopting a stepfather's surname often signifies a new family unit or a closer bond with the stepparent.
