British Royal Family Last Name: A Look into History and Lineage

The British Royal Family is one of the most famous and historic families in the world. While they are known for their titles and royal duties, many people are curious about their last name. This article delves into the history of the royal family's surname, exploring its origins and how it has evolved over the centuries. You'll discover the last names used by different branches of the royal family and gain insight into their fascinating lineage.
1. **Windsor:** A surname adopted by King George V in 1917, after the family name "Saxe-Coburg and Gotha" came under scrutiny due to its German origins during World War I. Windsor refers to Windsor Castle, one of the most iconic royal residences.

2. **Mountbatten:** A surname adopted by the British Royal Family in 1947, after the marriage of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Mountbatten is the anglicized version of the German name "Battenberg," the surname of Philip's mother's family.

3. **Saxe-Coburg and Gotha:** The former surname of the British Royal Family, adopted by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, who was from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

4. **Wettin:** The ancestral surname of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family, tracing its origins back to the 10th century in Germany.

5. **Tudor:** The surname of the royal family that reigned in England from 1485 to 1603, established by King Henry VII after the Wars of the Roses.

6. **Plantagenet:** The surname of the royal family that reigned in England from 1154 to 1485, named after the sprig of broom (planta genista) worn by Geoffrey of Anjou.

7. **Norman:** The surname of the royal family that reigned in England from 1066 to 1154, following the Norman Conquest of England.

8. **York:** A branch of the Plantagenet dynasty, known for its involvement in the Wars of the Roses.

9. **Lancaster:** Another branch of the Plantagenet dynasty, competing with York for the English throne in the Wars of the Roses.

10. **Stuart:** The surname of the royal family that reigned in Scotland from 1371 to 1714, later reigning in England from 1603 to 1714.

11. **Hanover:** The surname of the royal family that reigned in Great Britain from 1714 to 1901, originating from the Electorate of Hanover in Germany.

12. **Brunswick-Lüneburg:** The ancestral surname of the Hanoverian dynasty, tracing its origins to the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Germany.

13. **Guelph:** The ancestral surname of the Hanoverian dynasty, originating from the Guelph dynasty of Italy.

14. **Orange-Nassau:** The surname of the Dutch Royal Family, closely related to the British Royal Family through the marriage of Princess Anne to Prince Willem Alexander of Orange.

15. **Bernadotte:** The surname of the Swedish Royal Family, established in 1818 after the adoption of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a French Marshal, as Crown Prince of Sweden.

16. **Bourbon:** The surname of the French Royal Family, one of the most influential royal dynasties in Europe.

17. **Valois:** The surname of the French Royal Family that reigned from 1328 to 1589, succeeding the Capetian dynasty.

18. **Capetian:** The surname of the French Royal Family that reigned from 987 to 1328, laying the foundation for the modern French monarchy.

19. **Habsburg:** The surname of the Holy Roman Emperors and Kings of Bohemia, Austria, Spain, and Hungary, ruling over vast territories in Europe.

20. **Holstein-Gottorp:** A branch of the Oldenburg dynasty, associated with the House of Schleswig-Holstein, holding significant power in Northern Europe.

21. **Oldenburg:** A dynasty of German rulers, with roots in the Duchy of Oldenburg, holding sway over various regions of Germany and Scandinavia.

22. **Romanov:** The surname of the Russian Imperial Family, ruling Russia from 1613 to 1917, known for its autocratic rule and its tragic end.

23. **Rurik:** The founder of the first dynasty of rulers of Kievan Rus', a powerful and influential dynasty in Eastern Europe.

24. **Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg:** A branch of the Oldenburg dynasty, closely related to the British Royal Family through Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

25. **Schleswig-Holstein:** A duchy in northern Germany, associated with the House of Oldenburg and various other branches of the royal families of Europe.

26. **Thurn und Taxis:** A German noble family, historically associated with the postal service, known for their extensive holdings and prominent role in European history.

27. **Hohenzollern:** A German noble family, known for its role as Kings of Prussia, German Emperors, and rulers of various other regions.

28. **Wittelsbach:** A German noble family, holding significant power in Bavaria, known for its long lineage and influence in European affairs.

29. **Lorraine:** A duchy in eastern France, associated with various noble families, including the House of Lorraine-Guise, known for their role in French history.

30. **Orleans:** A branch of the French Royal Family, associated with the House of Bourbon, known for its role in French politics and its turbulent history.

31. **Parma:** A duchy in northern Italy, associated with the House of Bourbon-Parma, known for its role in Italian history.

32. **Savoy:** A noble family of northern Italy, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and later, the Kingdom of Italy.

33. **Bonaparte:** A Corsican family, known for its rise to power in France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, the first Emperor of France.

34. **D'Este:** An Italian noble family, known for its role as rulers of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio Emilia, holding significant power in northern Italy.

35. **Medici:** A Florentine family, known for its role as rulers of Florence, patrons of the arts, and influential figures in Renaissance Italy.

36. **Sforza:** A Milanese family, known for its role as rulers of Milan, patrons of the arts, and influential figures in Renaissance Italy.

37. **Este:** A noble Italian family, known for its role as rulers of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio Emilia, holding significant power in northern Italy.

38. **Gonzaga:** A noble Italian family, known for its role as rulers of Mantua, known for their patronage of the arts and their involvement in European politics.

39. **Visconti:** A Milanese family, known for its role as rulers of Milan, influential figures in Renaissance Italy, and patrons of the arts.

40. **Borgia:** A Spanish family, known for its role as rulers of the Duchy of Valencia, and its involvement in the politics and religious intrigues of Renaissance Italy.

41. **Angoulême:** A French noble family, known for its role in French history, associated with the House of Valois, and the House of Bourbon.

42. **Guise:** A French noble family, known for its role in French history, associated with the House of Lorraine, and known for its involvement in the French Wars of Religion.

43. **Condé:** A French noble family, associated with the House of Bourbon, known for its role in French politics and its involvement in the French Wars of Religion.

44. **Montmorency:** A French noble family, known for its role in French history, associated with the House of Capet, and known for its involvement in the Hundred Years' War.

45. **Vendôme:** A French noble family, associated with the House of Bourbon, known for its role in French politics and its involvement in the French Wars of Religion.

46. **Aragon:** A Spanish royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Aragon, and its involvement in the Reconquista, the expulsion of the Moors from Spain.

47. **Castile:** A Spanish royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Castile, and its involvement in the Reconquista, the expulsion of the Moors from Spain.

48. **Navarre:** A Spanish royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Navarre, and its involvement in the Reconquista, the expulsion of the Moors from Spain.

49. **Portugal:** A Portuguese royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Portugal, and its involvement in the Age of Discovery, the exploration of the world by European powers.

50. **Braganza:** A Portuguese royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Portugal, and its involvement in the Age of Discovery, the exploration of the world by European powers.

51. **Habsburg-Lorraine:** A dynasty of European monarchs, a fusion of the Habsburg and Lorraine families, known for its extensive holdings and influence in European affairs.

52. **Bavaria:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and its involvement in German unification.

53. **Württemberg:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Württemberg, and its involvement in German unification.

54. **Saxony:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Kingdom of Saxony, and its involvement in German unification.

55. **Mecklenburg-Schwerin:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and its involvement in German unification.

56. **Baden:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Grand Duchy of Baden, and its involvement in German unification.

57. **Hesse-Darmstadt:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Grand Duchy of Hesse, and its involvement in German unification.

58. **Nassau:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Duchy of Nassau, and its involvement in German unification.

59. **Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, and its involvement in German unification.

60. **Reuss:** A German royal family, known for its role as rulers of the Principalities of Reuss, and its involvement in German unification.