Names on documents - which way round?

[brenta]

Is there a set way to read names on documents in terms of which names come first? I know usually the surname is first but then if there are a number of names which one is usually the first name? I keep coming across a lot of my family using what I would think is a middle name rather than the first name listed. Is this usual? Just wondered if I'm reading them right.

[Italysearcher]

In my experience the order of names does not indicate which name was used in daily life. In many families all girls were given the name Maria, first second or last, but obviously they used one of the other names or the combination. i.e. Marianna, or Anna Maria