This fascinates me. My great-grandfather's last name in Russia was Bershadsky (I know this because of family stories and a calling card from Russia that I have). After Ellis Island, it was Berg! My grandmother said that her father was always annoyed because he liked his original name. He didn't know that he could have reassumed it until many years later, when he decided that it would be too much of a hassle. I don't remember that an official was specifically blamed, but the name was changed somehow, and he didn't just acquiesce. 
So, what happened??
--Polly Goldberg