HOME > Royal Last Name Origin
Introduction
Royal last names are often associated with power, wealth, and prestige. They are passed down from generation to generation and can trace their origins back to ancient times. In this article, we will explore the history and genealogy of some of the most famous royal last names in the world.
The British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is perhaps the most well-known royal family in the world. Their last name, Windsor, was adopted in 1917 by King George V. Prior to this, the family's last name was Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, which was a German name. However, due to anti-German sentiment during World War I, the family decided to change their name to something more British-sounding. The name Windsor was chosen after the castle of the same name.
The Spanish Royal Family
The Spanish Royal Family has a long and complicated history. Their last name, Bourbon, can be traced back to the 16th century when the Bourbon dynasty was established in France. The Spanish branch of the family was established in the 18th century when Philip V of Spain, who was a member of the French Bourbon family, became king of Spain. The current king of Spain, Felipe VI, belongs to the Bourbon family.
The Dutch Royal Family
The Dutch Royal Family's last name is Orange-Nassau. The name Orange comes from the principality of Orange in southern France, which was ruled by the House of Orange. The House of Nassau was a German noble family that played an important role in the history of the Netherlands. The two families were united in 1544 when William of Orange-Nassau married Anna of Egmond and Buren. The current king of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, belongs to the House of Orange-Nassau.
The Swedish Royal Family
The Swedish Royal Family's last name is Bernadotte. The family's founder, Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, was a French general who was elected as the crown prince of Sweden in 1810. He later became King Charles XIV John of Sweden. The Bernadotte family has ruled Sweden ever since. The current king of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, belongs to the Bernadotte family.
The Danish Royal Family
The Danish Royal Family's last name is Glücksburg. The family's founder, Christian IX, was elected as the king of Denmark in 1863. He was a member of the House of Glücksburg, which is a German noble family. The Glücksburg family has ruled Denmark ever since. The current queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, belongs to the Glücksburg family.
The Norwegian Royal Family
The Norwegian Royal Family's last name is also Glücksburg. This is because the Norwegian and Danish royal families are closely related. Norway was ruled by Denmark until 1814, and the two countries have had a close relationship ever since. The current king of Norway, Harald V, belongs to the Glücksburg family.
Conclusion
Royal last names are an important part of the history and genealogy of royal families around the world. They can tell us a lot about the origins and connections of these families. While some royal last names have been in use for centuries, others have been adopted more recently. Regardless of their origins, these last names are a symbol of the power and prestige associated with royalty.
