A Madoff family member wants to change her and her children's last names to save them from the shame of being associated with the biggest swindler of all time.

Stephanie Madoff, married to imprisoned Bernard Madoff's son Mark, has filed legal documents with the New York Supreme Court to make the legal change. She says she and her family have received death threats and need to change their names to protect themselves.

Stephanie wants to change her surname and that of her two young children to Morgan. In court documents, she said she "wishes to avoid additional embarrassment, harassment and endangerment associated with the name 'Madoff.'" According to the documents, 1-year-old Nicholas and 3-year-old Ashley -- Bernie's grandkids -- will keep Madoff as their middle name, but their last name will be changed. She did not give a reason as to why she chose the particular name of Morgan. The documents also state Mark does not oppose the change.

Mark, or any of the other family members, were ever charged with a crime in connection with the huge Ponzi scheme.