British Royals: Last Names and Their Meanings

Are you curious about the last names of British royalty? While the current royal family is known as Windsor, there's a rich history of names used by those who have ruled Britain. This page delves into the various surnames associated with British monarchs and their descendants, offering detailed explanations of their origins and significance.
1. **Windsor:** Derived from Windsor Castle, a royal residence built in the 11th century. It signifies a connection to this iconic location and the power it represents.
2. **Mountbatten:** A Germanized version of the surname "Battenberg," which means "bat mountain." This name reflects the family's origins in the Battenberg region of Germany.
3. **Saxony-Coburg and Gotha:** This name signifies the family's connection to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a German principality. It reflects their lineage and European heritage.
4. **Hanover:** This name indicates the lineage of British monarchs from the House of Hanover, a German royal dynasty. It highlights their German ancestry and connection to the electorate of Hanover.
5. **Stuart:** Originating from the Stewart clan in Scotland, this name holds deep historical significance. It signifies their Scottish ancestry and the legacy of the Stuart monarchy.
6. **Tudor:** Derived from the Welsh word "tudur," meaning "descendant," this name reflects the lineage of the Tudor dynasty. It signifies their Welsh origins and their rise to power in England.
7. **York:** Connected to the city of York in England, this name represents a royal branch of the Plantagenet dynasty. It signifies their ties to this historically significant city and their claim to the English throne.
8. **Lancaster:** Derived from the city of Lancaster in England, this name denotes another branch of the Plantagenet dynasty. It represents their connection to this city and their involvement in the Wars of the Roses.
9. **Plantagenet:** Meaning "planta genista," referring to a type of broom plant, this name was adopted by the royal family. It signifies their claim to the throne and their historical importance.
10. **Norman:** Derived from the region of Normandy in France, this name represents the Norman conquest of England. It signifies the impact of Norman influence on British history and culture.
11. **Wessex:** Named after the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, this name holds significant historical weight. It represents the lineage of Alfred the Great and other early kings of England.
12. **Mercia:** Derived from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, this name signifies a powerful dynasty in early England. It represents their territorial dominance and cultural influence.
13. **Northumbria:** Named after the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, this name highlights a significant kingdom in early England. It represents their geographical significance and their role in shaping English history.
14. **Kent:** Named after the county of Kent in England, this name holds regional significance. It represents the lineage of various Anglo-Saxon kings and their connection to this area.
15. **Essex:** Derived from the county of Essex in England, this name denotes a significant kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England. It represents their historical importance and their role in shaping early English history.
16. **Sussex:** Named after the county of Sussex in England, this name holds regional significance. It represents the lineage of various Anglo-Saxon kings and their connection to this area.
17. **East Anglia:** Named after the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia, this name signifies a powerful kingdom in early England. It represents their territorial dominance and cultural influence.
18. **Jutish:** Derived from the Jutes, a Germanic tribe, this name reflects the lineage of early Anglo-Saxon kings. It signifies their ancestry and their role in the settlement of England.
19. **Saxon:** Derived from the Saxons, a Germanic tribe, this name represents the lineage of early Anglo-Saxon kings. It signifies their ancestry and their role in shaping English history.
20. **Angles:** Derived from the Angles, a Germanic tribe, this name signifies the lineage of early Anglo-Saxon kings. It represents their ancestry and their role in the settlement of England.
21. **Briton:** Derived from the indigenous inhabitants of Britain, this name signifies the Celtic heritage of the British Isles. It represents their ancient ancestry and their connection to the land.
22. **Celt:** Derived from the Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, this name signifies their cultural heritage. It represents their widespread influence and their contributions to European history.
23. **Scots:** Derived from the Scots, an ancient Gaelic-speaking people, this name signifies their connection to Scotland. It represents their cultural heritage and their role in shaping Scottish history.
24. **Gaelic:** Derived from the Gaelic language, this name signifies the linguistic heritage of the Scots and Irish. It represents their cultural identity and their connection to ancient traditions.
25. **Pictish:** Derived from the Picts, an ancient people of northern Britain, this name signifies their historical significance. It represents their distinct culture and their role in shaping Scottish history.
26. **Roman:** Derived from the Romans, an ancient civilization, this name reflects the Roman conquest of Britain. It signifies their influence on British culture and their impact on the development of the country.
27. **Iberian:** Derived from the Iberian Peninsula, this name signifies the ancestry of some British monarchs. It represents their connection to Spain and Portugal and their cultural influence.
28. **Bourbon:** A French royal family, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
29. **Valois:** Another French royal family, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
30. **Capet:** A French royal dynasty, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
31. **Angevin:** Derived from the Angevin Empire, this name signifies the lineage of some British monarchs. It represents their connection to France and their influence on British history.
32. **D'Anjou:** A French royal family, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
33. **Artois:** A French royal family, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
34. **Provence:** Derived from the region of Provence in France, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their cultural influence.
35. **Aquitaine:** Derived from the region of Aquitaine in France, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
36. **Gascony:** Derived from the region of Gascony in France, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
37. **Champagne:** Derived from the region of Champagne in France, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their influence on British history.
38. **Brittany:** Derived from the region of Brittany in France, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to France and their cultural influence.
39. **Flanders:** Derived from the region of Flanders in Belgium, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to the region and their cultural influence.
40. **Holland:** Derived from the region of Holland in the Netherlands, this name reflects the lineage of some British monarchs. It signifies their connection to the Netherlands and their cultural influence.