Queen Elizabeth's Last Name: A Detailed Explanation

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, was known by the surname Windsor. While her family's lineage stretches back centuries, the adoption of the Windsor name in 1917 marked a significant shift for the royal family. This article delves into the origins and meanings of the Windsor surname, exploring its significance in the context of Queen Elizabeth's life and legacy.
1. **Windsor:** A surname of English origin, derived from the town of Windsor in Berkshire, England. The name itself means "winding stream" or "winding river," referring to the River Thames that flows through the town. The name Windsor is associated with the Windsor Castle, a royal residence that has been used by monarchs for centuries.
2. **Mountbatten:** A surname of German origin, adopted by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, after his father's family name. The name is derived from the German words "Mount" and "Batten," which may mean "mountain" and "batten" or "plank." It's often associated with the German aristocracy and royalty.
3. **Bowes-Lyon:** A Scottish surname of noble lineage, adopted by Queen Elizabeth's mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The name is derived from the family's seat at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. The name is associated with the Lyon family, who held the title of Lord Lyon King of Arms, the chief heraldic officer of Scotland.
4. **Saxe-Coburg and Gotha:** A German surname, derived from the duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Germany. This surname was adopted by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, and his family. It's associated with the German aristocracy and royalty, and signifies the influence of German culture on the British royal family.
5. **Tudor:** A Welsh surname, derived from the Welsh words "tud" and "dyr," which mean "house" and "door." The surname was adopted by King Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, in the late 15th century. The name is associated with the Tudor period in English history, a time of significant change and progress.
6. **Plantagenet:** A surname of French origin, derived from the French word "planta genista," which means "broom plant." The surname was adopted by King Henry II, founder of the Plantagenet dynasty, in the 12th century. The name is associated with the Plantagenet era in English history, a time of great power and influence for the English monarchy.
7. **York:** A surname of English origin, derived from the city of York in Yorkshire, England. The name is associated with the House of York, one of the two major houses that fought during the Wars of the Roses.
8. **Lancaster:** A surname of English origin, derived from the city of Lancaster in Lancashire, England. The name is associated with the House of Lancaster, one of the two major houses that fought during the Wars of the Roses.
9. **Stuart:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the region of Stewarton in Ayrshire, Scotland. The name is associated with the Stuart dynasty, who ruled Scotland and then England in the 17th and 18th centuries.
10. **Wessex:** A surname of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, which existed from the 5th to 10th centuries. The name is associated with the Saxon era in English history, a time of significant cultural and political change.
11. **Hanover:** A surname of German origin, derived from the city of Hanover in Lower Saxony, Germany. The name is associated with the Hanoverian dynasty, who ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1714 to 1901.
12. **Orange:** A surname of Dutch origin, derived from the city of Orange in the south of France. The name is associated with the House of Orange-Nassau, a royal family of the Netherlands.
13. **Nassau:** A surname of German origin, derived from the county of Nassau in Germany. The name is associated with the House of Orange-Nassau, a royal family of the Netherlands.
14. **Valois:** A surname of French origin, derived from the valley of the Oise River in France. The name is associated with the Valois dynasty, who ruled France from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
15. **Bourbon:** A surname of French origin, derived from the town of Bourbon-Lancy in France. The name is associated with the Bourbon dynasty, who ruled France from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
16. **Capet:** A surname of French origin, derived from the town of Capet in France. The name is associated with the Capetian dynasty, who ruled France from the 10th to the 14th centuries.
17. **Mercia:** A surname of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, which existed from the 7th to the 9th centuries. The name is associated with the Saxon era in English history, a time of significant cultural and political change.
18. **Northumbria:** A surname of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, which existed from the 7th to the 10th centuries. The name is associated with the Saxon era in English history, a time of significant cultural and political change.
19. **Kent:** A surname of English origin, derived from the county of Kent in southeast England. The name is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Kent, which existed from the 5th to the 9th centuries.
20. **Essex:** A surname of English origin, derived from the county of Essex in southeast England. The name is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex, which existed from the 6th to the 9th centuries.
21. **Sussex:** A surname of English origin, derived from the county of Sussex in southeast England. The name is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Sussex, which existed from the 5th to the 9th centuries.
22. **Norfolk:** A surname of English origin, derived from the county of Norfolk in east England. The name is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia, which existed from the 6th to the 9th centuries.
23. **Suffolk:** A surname of English origin, derived from the county of Suffolk in east England. The name is associated with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia, which existed from the 6th to the 9th centuries.
24. **Anglesey:** A surname of Welsh origin, derived from the island of Anglesey in Wales. The name is associated with the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes that invaded Britain in the 5th century.
25. **Gwynedd:** A surname of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd in Wales. The name is associated with the Welsh princes who ruled Gwynedd from the 5th to the 13th centuries.
26. **Powys:** A surname of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient kingdom of Powys in Wales. The name is associated with the Welsh princes who ruled Powys from the 5th to the 13th centuries.
27. **Devereux:** A surname of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the French words "de" and "vieux," which mean "of" and "old." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
28. **FitzGerald:** A surname of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the French words "fils" and "Gerald," which mean "son" and "Gerald." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
29. **Fitzwilliam:** A surname of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the French words "fils" and "William," which mean "son" and "William." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
30. **Howard:** A surname of English origin, derived from the French word "houard," which means "keeper of the woods." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
31. **Spencer:** A surname of English origin, derived from the French word "despensier," which means "steward." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
32. **Cavendish:** A surname of English origin, derived from the French word "cavendise," which means "hollow." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
33. **Cecil:** A surname of English origin, derived from the French word "secile," which means "blind." The name is associated with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
34. **Hamilton:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the town of Hamilton in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name is associated with the Hamilton family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
35. **Douglas:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Douglas Valley in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name is associated with the Douglas family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
36. **Campbell:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "cam," which means "crooked." The name is associated with the Campbell family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
37. **MacDonald:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" and "donnchadh," which mean "son" and "dark brown." The name is associated with the MacDonald family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
38. **MacKenzie:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" and "coinneach," which mean "son" and "handsome." The name is associated with the MacKenzie family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
39. **Murray:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "muire," which means "sea." The name is associated with the Murray family, who were one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
40. **Stewart:** A surname of Scottish origin, derived from the region of Stewarton in Ayrshire, Scotland. The name is associated with the Stuart dynasty, who ruled Scotland and then England in the 17th and 18th centuries.