Royal Family Last Names: A Comprehensive List

Are you curious about the last names of royal families around the world? From the well-known Windsors to lesser-known European dynasties, royal last names hold centuries of history and tradition. This comprehensive list explores the origins and meanings of numerous royal family last names, offering a fascinating glimpse into the heritage of some of the world's most influential families.
1. **Windsor:** Meaning "winding river" or "winding valley," this name is a reference to Windsor Castle, a royal residence in Berkshire, England. The name was adopted in 1917 by King George V, replacing the German surname Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in the wake of World War I.

2. **Mountbatten:** Derived from the German "Battenberg," which translates to "bat mountain," this surname was adopted by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was born into the Battenberg family. He changed his family name to Mountbatten in 1947, upon his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.

3. **Bourbon:** This surname, derived from the French word for "berry," traces its origins to the ancient House of Bourbon, a noble family in the Auvergne region of France. The Bourbons ruled France for centuries, including during the reign of Louis XIV and Louis XVI.

4. **Habsburg:** This name, originating from the Habsburg region in Switzerland, became synonymous with the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire. The Habsburgs were one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, ruling for centuries and leaving an indelible mark on history.

5. **Romanov:** This surname, meaning "from Rome," is associated with the last ruling dynasty of Russia. The Romanovs ruled Russia for over 300 years, from 1613 to 1917, until the Russian Revolution.

6. **Hohenzollern:** This name, meaning "high castle," refers to the powerful dynasty that ruled Brandenburg, Prussia, and later, Germany. The Hohenzollerns played a significant role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.

7. **Orange-Nassau:** This name combines the House of Orange, originating from the Principality of Orange in southeastern France, and the House of Nassau, a noble family from the region of Nassau in Germany. The House of Orange-Nassau is the royal family of the Netherlands.

8. **Bernadotte:** This surname, of uncertain origin, is associated with the current royal family of Sweden. Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a French soldier who rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars, was adopted as crown prince of Sweden in 1810 and became King Charles XIV John.

9. **Guelph:** This name, derived from the German word for "wolf," refers to a powerful dynasty that ruled numerous territories in Europe. The Guelphs were closely associated with the Welf dynasty in Germany, and their influence extended to Italy and England.

10. **Braganza:** This surname, of uncertain origin, is associated with the royal family of Portugal. The House of Braganza ruled Portugal for nearly 600 years, from 1640 to 1910, and left a lasting impact on the country's history and culture.

11. **Orléans:** This name, derived from the city of Orléans in France, is associated with a cadet branch of the House of Bourbon. The Orléans branch ruled France briefly during the regency of Louis XIII and again during the French Revolution.

12. **Saxe-Coburg and Gotha:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Coburg" and "Gotha," refers to a royal family that held significant influence in Europe. The Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family produced rulers for several countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, and Romania.

13. **Thurn und Taxis:** This name, a combination of two German words meaning "tower" and "tax," refers to a family that rose to prominence in the Holy Roman Empire as postal administrators. The Thurn und Taxis family held a unique position in Europe, controlling a vast network of postal services for centuries.

14. **Wittelsbach:** This name, of uncertain origin, is associated with a dynasty that ruled several regions in Germany, including Bavaria and the Palatinate. The Wittelsbachs were one of the most powerful families in the Holy Roman Empire, and their influence extended across Europe.

15. **Bonaparte:** This surname, of Italian origin, refers to the family that produced Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned French emperor who revolutionized Europe in the early 19th century. The Bonapartes also played significant roles in the history of France, Italy, and other countries.

16. **Hamilton:** This surname, of Scottish origin, is associated with the Duke of Hamilton, a title that has been held by various families throughout history. The Duke of Hamilton has long been a prominent figure in Scottish nobility, with the title dating back to the 15th century.

17. **Holstein-Gottorp:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Holstein" and "Gottorp," refers to a royal family that ruled Denmark and Russia. The Holstein-Gottorp family produced rulers for both countries, including Peter III of Russia, the husband of Empress Catherine the Great.

18. **Zähringen:** This name, derived from the German word for "deer," refers to a noble family that played a significant role in the development of southwestern Germany. The Zähringen family founded numerous cities and towns, including Bern, Fribourg, and Baden-Baden.

19. **Bavaria:** This name, derived from the Latin word for "Bavaria," refers to a duchy and later kingdom in Germany. The Bavarian dynasty was one of the most powerful in Germany, and its influence extended across Europe.

20. **Württemberg:** This name, of Germanic origin, refers to a duchy and later kingdom in southwestern Germany. The Württemberg family was a prominent force in the Holy Roman Empire, and its influence extended to neighboring countries.

21. **Mecklenburg:** This name, derived from the German word for "Mecklenburg," refers to a duchy and later Grand Duchy in northeastern Germany. The Mecklenburg family was a significant power in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

22. **Brandenburg:** This name, derived from the German word for "Brandenburg," refers to a region in eastern Germany. The Brandenburg family, which ruled the Margraviate of Brandenburg for centuries, eventually became the royal family of Prussia.

23. **Württemberg-Hohenzollern:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Württemberg" and "Hohenzollern," refers to a branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Württemberg.

24. **Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Schleswig," "Holstein," "Sonderburg," and "Glücksburg," refers to a complex royal family that held ties to Denmark, Greece, and Norway. The Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg family produced monarchs for all three countries, including Christian IX of Denmark, the father of King George I of Greece.

25. **Oldenburg:** This name, derived from the German word for "Oldenburg," refers to a duchy in northwestern Germany. The Oldenburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Europe.

26. **Thuringia:** This name, derived from the German word for "Thuringia," refers to a region in central Germany. The Thuringian dynasty was a significant force in the region, and its influence extended across Germany.

27. **Nassau:** This name, of German origin, refers to a region in western Germany. The House of Nassau was a powerful dynasty that ruled numerous territories in Germany and the Netherlands.

28. **Hanover:** This name, derived from the German word for "Hanover," refers to a region in Germany. The Hanover dynasty ruled Great Britain and Ireland for over a century, from 1714 to 1901.

29. **Brunswick:** This name, derived from the German word for "Brunswick," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Brunswick family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

30. **Palatinate:** This name, derived from the Latin word for "palace," refers to a region in Germany. The Palatinate family was a significant force in the Holy Roman Empire, and its influence extended across Europe.

31. **Luxemburg:** This name, derived from the German word for "Luxembourg," refers to a grand duchy in Western Europe. The Luxembourg family is one of the oldest royal families in Europe, and its influence extends to numerous countries.

32. **Lippe:** This name, of German origin, refers to a principality in Germany. The Lippe family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

33. **Reuss:** This name, of German origin, refers to a princely family that ruled various territories in Germany. The Reuss family was a significant force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

34. **Schaumburg-Lippe:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Schaumburg" and "Lippe," refers to a principality in Germany. The Schaumburg-Lippe family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

35. **Waldeck:** This name, of German origin, refers to a principality in Germany. The Waldeck family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

36. **Anhalt:** This name, of German origin, refers to a principality and later duchy in Germany. The Anhalt family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

37. **Württemberg-Teck:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Württemberg" and "Teck," refers to a branch of the Württemberg family that ruled the Duchy of Teck.

38. **Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon," "Weimar," and "Eisenach," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

39. **Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon," "Coburg," and "Saalfeld," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

40. **Saxe-Meiningen:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Meiningen," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Meiningen family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

41. **Saxe-Altenburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Altenburg," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Altenburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

42. **Saxe-Hildburghausen:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Hildburghausen," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Hildburghausen family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

43. **Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon," "Gotha," and "Altenburg," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

44. **Saxe-Lauenburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Lauenburg," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Lauenburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

45. **Saxe-Eilenburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Eilenburg," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Eilenburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

46. **Saxe-Eisenach:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Eisenach," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Eisenach family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

47. **Saxe-Weimar:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Weimar," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Weimar family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

48. **Saxe-Coburg:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Coburg," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Coburg family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

49. **Saxe-Saalfeld:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Saalfeld," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Saalfeld family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.

50. **Saxe-Hildburghausen:** This name, a combination of the German words for "Saxon" and "Hildburghausen," refers to a duchy in Germany. The Saxe-Hildburghausen family was a prominent force in the region, and its influence extended to other parts of Germany.