In most western countries it was indeed common for the wife to take OR add her husband's surname (although how it was done differed significantly). However, even in the past traditions differed between countries; for example, in the UK it's normal for women to keep their married name after divorce which would be uncommon or unthinkable in many other 'western' European countries.
In countries that practice 'double surnames' (such as Spain where children get a surname of both of their parents: For example Sofía's surname is: de Borbón y Ortiz because her parents are: Felipe de Borbón y de Grecia and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano); I don't think it ever was the custom for a women to change to her husband's surname; as in that case the whole naming system of having surnames after both parents would be pointless.
But we're getting rather off-topic (although I am always interested in these cultural differences - but I have limited knowledge about the French and Monegasque customs regarding this issue; which would be relevant).