Python: converting names to surname, firstname format.

we want to convert names like

Jose P. Rizal to Rizal, Jose P.
Jose P. Rizal Jr. to Rizal Jr.,   Jose P.
Ma. Jose P. Rizal III to Rizal III, Ma. Jose P.

Here is Python code to perform the conversion. I am wondering if one can write a more elegant version, where by elegant, it does the conversion in a faster, shorter way!

"""
file     lastfirstname.py
author   Ernesto P. Adorio, PhD.
desc     Converts name to last name, first name format.
version  0.0.1 july 27, 2011
"""

def makestr(sarray, lastindex):
    """
   
    """
    output = ""
    for s in sarray[:lastindex]:
       output += (" " + s )
    return output

def surnamefirstname(name):
    """
    Translates a name in firstname surname to
          surname, firstname format.
    Complications arise because surname can include "Jr." or romanized numbers "III"
    """
    parts = name.split()
    n = len(parts)
    if n == 2:
       # easiest case
       return parts[1] + ", " + parts[0]
    elif n > 2:
       if parts[-1].lower() in ["jr.", "jr"]:
          return parts[-2] +" Jr.," + makestr(parts, -2)
       elif parts[-1].lower() in ["ii", "iii", "iv", "v"]:
          return parts[-2] + " " +parts[-1].upper()+ ","  + makestr(parts, -2)
       else:
          return parts[-1] + "," + makestr(parts, -1)
 
print surnamefirstname("Ma. Jose P. Rizal III")

 
       

Post you own better version in the comments. We shall learn together to improve our Python skills.