My question is about counting the six-month period for a 90-day Schengen area visit:
Visit May 15 - June 5, 2014 (20 days) under name X
Visit Aug 28 - Sept 25, 2014 (29 days) under name X
Nov 11 marks end of 180 day period
Change name
Visit Dec 10, 2014 - Mar 10, 2015 (90 days) under new name, Y
Can I return in May?
If the first period ends Nov 11 and the new period starts Nov 12, then the next 180-day period would end May 11.
Am I eligible to return on May 12?
If my name change starts the count anew, I cannot return until mid-June. I should add I didn't intend to stay 90 days over the winter. I am traveling with two dogs and the temperatures in NY, USA were too cold safely to fly (not that it matters to Immigration).