Sabiha GÖKÇEN describes her GÖKÇEN status as follows...

My surname has nothing to do with my profession, nor can it be. Because I entered aviation in 1935. However, Great Atatürk gave me this surname a year ago. The surname law was one of the revolutions that Ata cared about. In this respect, the main subject at Atatürk's conversation tables in 1934 was his "surname". Here I will never forget, it was the evening of December 19, 1934. That night it was my turn. Atatürk said: "Well, tell me, Sabiha..." "What's your last name?" Everyone was looking at me. "Whatever you command, sir!" I stammered. I was excited. A thousand things were going through my mind, but I did not dare to say any of them. Atatürk put his hand on his chin and thought for a while after this answer: "I would like to give you the surname Atatürk Daughter, but..."said. But this did not bring the end of the "time". He took a pen and paper and wrote: 

Sabiha Gokcen

S. GÖKÇEN

K. ATATURK

19.12.1934

Congratulations!

Source: Sabiha Gökçen, Atatürk'le Bir Ömür, Oktay Verel, 2. Basım, Altın Kitaplar, ISBN:975-405-511-4. Sayfa:76-77