Last Name of the Royal Family: A Comprehensive Guide

Discovering the last names of royal families across the globe can be a fascinating journey into history and lineage. This exploration unveils a diverse tapestry of names, each carrying unique meanings and reflecting the rich cultural heritage of their respective nations. From the well-known Windsors to lesser-known royal families, this guide provides an exhaustive list of last names, their origins, and the stories behind them.
1. **Windsor:** Meaning "winding river," a reference to Windsor Castle, the royal residence in Berkshire, England.
2. **Mountbatten:** Derived from the German "Battenberg," meaning "bat mountain."
3. **Bourbon:** Originating from the French town of Bourbon-l'Archambault, it signifies "strong fort."
4. **Habsburg:** From the German "Habichtsburg," meaning "hawk's castle."
5. **Romanov:** A family name of Russian origin, its meaning is uncertain but may relate to "Roman," suggesting a connection to the Roman Empire.
6. **Holstein-Gottorp:** A branch of the Danish royal family, combining the German words "Holstein" (referring to a region in northern Germany) and "Gottorp" (a castle in Schleswig-Holstein).
7. **Bernadotte:** A Swedish surname with uncertain origins, possibly related to the French word "bernadette," meaning "bear."
8. **Orange-Nassau:** A Dutch royal family name, blending the names of the regions of Orange (in France) and Nassau (in Germany).
9. **Braganza:** A Portuguese surname, its etymology is linked to the Portuguese town of Bragança.
10. **Orléans:** A French name originating from the city of Orléans, known for its strategic location and historical significance.
11. **Saxe-Coburg and Gotha:** A German ducal family, combining the regions of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
12. **Thurn and Taxis:** A German noble family with a complex history, combining the names of two prominent branches, Thurn and Taxis.
13. **Lichtenstein:** A German family name, referring to the Principality of Liechtenstein in the Alps.
14. **Württemberg:** A German ducal family, deriving its name from the region of Württemberg in southwest Germany.
15. **Hohenzollern:** A prominent German noble family, its name means "high castle" in German.
16. **Glyksburg:** A Danish family name, its origin is traced back to the castle of Glücksburg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
17. **Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg:** A complex name combining various regions and branches of the Danish royal family.
18. **Hannover:** A German family name, deriving its name from the city of Hanover, known for its historical significance.
19. **Wittelsbach:** A Bavarian family name, its meaning is uncertain but may relate to a type of "white beech" tree.
20. **Hesse-Kassel:** A German princely family, combining the names of two regions, Hesse and Kassel.
21. **Baden:** A German family name, referring to the region of Baden in southwestern Germany.
22. **Anhalt:** A German ducal family, deriving its name from the region of Anhalt in central Germany.
23. **Mecklenburg:** A German ducal family, its name is linked to the region of Mecklenburg in northern Germany.
24. **Oldenburg:** A German family name, originating from the city of Oldenburg, known for its historic significance.
25. **Brunswick-Lüneburg:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Brunswick and Lüneburg.
26. **Lippe:** A German family name, deriving its name from the region of Lippe in North Rhine-Westphalia.
27. **Schaumburg-Lippe:** A German princely family, combining the names of two regions, Schaumburg and Lippe.
28. **Waldeck-Pyrmont:** A German princely family, combining the names of two regions, Waldeck and Pyrmont.
29. **Reuss:** A German family name, with uncertain origins but possibly related to the German word "raus" (meaning "out").
30. **Schwarzburg:** A German princely family, its name means "black castle" in German.
31. **Hohenlohe:** A German princely family, its name means "high meadow" in German.
32. **Württemberg-Teck:** A German princely family, combining the names of two regions, Württemberg and Teck.
33. **Saxe-Weimar:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Weimar.
34. **Saxe-Altenburg:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Altenburg.
35. **Saxe-Meiningen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Meiningen.
36. **Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Coburg, and Saalfeld.
37. **Saxe-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Hildburghausen.
38. **Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Gotha, and Altenburg.
39. **Saxe-Lauenburg:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Lauenburg.
40. **Saxe-Eisenach:** A German ducal family, combining the names of two regions, Saxe and Eisenach.
41. **Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Weimar, and Eisenach.
42. **Saxe-Hildburghausen-Coburg-Saalfeld:** A German ducal family, combining the names of four regions, Saxe, Hildburghausen, Coburg, and Saalfeld.
43. **Saxe-Meiningen-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Meiningen, and Hildburghausen.
44. **Saxe-Gotha-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Gotha, and Hildburghausen.
45. **Saxe-Lauenburg-Ratzeburg:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Lauenburg, and Ratzeburg.
46. **Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of four regions, Saxe, Coburg, Gotha, and Hildburghausen.
47. **Saxe-Lauenburg-Ratzeburg-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of four regions, Saxe, Lauenburg, Ratzeburg, and Hildburghausen.
48. **Saxe-Eisenach-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of three regions, Saxe, Eisenach, and Hildburghausen.
49. **Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of four regions, Saxe, Weimar, Eisenach, and Hildburghausen.
50. **Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg-Hildburghausen:** A German ducal family, combining the names of four regions, Saxe, Gotha, Altenburg, and Hildburghausen.