Brad Pitt's children Zahara and Maddox have each taken formal legal steps to remove their father's surname from their names by publishing court notices announcing their petitions for a legal name change.

According to the published notices, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt is seeking to become Zahara Marley Jolie, while Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt is requesting to become Maddox Chivan Jolie.The notices invite any objections to be presented at scheduled court hearings in September.

Zahara had already begun publicly using the surname Jolie when she introduced herself at a Spelman College sorority event several years earlier, indicating that the legal process formalises a change she had already adopted socially.

Reports also note that other members of the family, including Shiloh and Vivienne, have previously stopped publicly using Pitt as part of their names, although it remains unclear whether Pax has done the same.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, once known as one of Hollywood's highest-profile couples, separated in 2016 following an alleged altercation aboard a private aircraft.

Jolie accused Pitt of abusive behaviour during the incident, allegations that Pitt has consistently denied beyond acknowledging responsibility for some aspects of the dispute.

Since their separation, the former couple have remained involved in lengthy legal proceedings concerning child custody and shared business interests, including their French winery.

The latest legal filings by Zahara and Maddox represent another significant development in the family's ongoing public separation from Pitt's surname.