My first name (Martin) is my maternal grandmother's last name. I respect it, and actually like it in writing, but I am thinking of going by my middle name, which is my father's name, when I get into the business world.
Any other Martin's out there have problems introducing themselves in a way that doesn't make you sound like you're saying 'Mark'?
I'm very proud of my last name, which is VERY uncommon (like...less than 1000 ppl in the US), but only six letters, distinctly American, and easily pronounceable.
One other note: On my father's side, the first born girls, going back for many generations, would alternate the names Mary Virginia and Virginia Mary.