People have long been fascinated with royalty and most people understand that last names are very important. Royal last names can inspire a magnificent fantasy world and help you pay homage to some unique noble names.
They're also easily recognized and often have a well-documented history and lineage. So if you're interested in history, it's a great idea to explore royal surnames as a way to discover facts about the past.
More than just fascinating titles, royal last names hold a wealth of history and tradition. From England's monarchy to royal families around the world, these surnames tell stories that span centuries.
In this list of royal last names, you'll find connections to intriguing past events and glimpses into the lives of those who have shaped history. So, explore this list to get a unique perspective on the world's cultural heritage through powerful names.
Famous Last Names Of Royalty
From the famed Mountbatten-Windsor name to other regal monikers across the globe, royal family names have a way of capturing imaginations and making headlines. Want to know more about these illustrious titles or find inspiration for your next creative project?
This list of famous royal last names is your golden ticket to exploring the captivating world of crowns, castles, and centuries-old traditions.
1. Bergoglio (Roman origin) - Pope Francis who rules the Vatican City, was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
2. Cambridge (British origin) - Prince William's children use the last name Cambridge for school purposes.
3. Edward (British origin) - Prince Albert Edward (Edward VII) was born at Buckingham Palace on November 9, 1841. He was Prince Albert and Queen Victoria's eldest son and second child.
4. Markle (American origin) - Meghan Markle is now the Duchess of Sussex, but she was first a popular actress.
5. Maxwell (British origin) - Peter Trevor Maxwell is the Baron of England.
6. Middleton (British origin) - Kate Middleton is now the Duchess of Cambridge.
7. Mountbatten (Grecian origin) - The last name used for a British dynasty, starting with Louis Mountbatten, the Earl of Burma.
8. Mountbatten-Windsor (British origin) - The family name used by some of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth's royal family. This is the last name of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son, Archie.
9. Philopator (Egyptian origin) - This was the surname of Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt.
10. Spencer (British origin) - This was Princess Diana's last name before she married into the British royal family.
11. Wales (British origin) - Prince Harry and Prince William used Wales as their surname for school purposes when growing up.
12. Windsor (British origin) - Prince William, Queen Elizabeth, and more use just this portion of the name.
Last Names From Royal Family Trees From Around The World
There are many unique royal family names around the world that might not be as commonly recognized as the British royal family name, Mountbatten-Windsor, but they are equally significant. This includes royal names from different regions, and these distinctive surnames are great for learning about their origins and the histories they represent.
13. Agnes (British origin) - Mary of Teck was named Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes of Teck.
14. Albert (British origin) - George V was named George Frederick Ernest Albert. George V was married to Mary of Teck.
15. Al-Hussein (Jordan origin) - After King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.
16. Al Maktoum (Arabian origin) - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum rules Dubai.
17. Al Said (Arabian origin) - After Qaboos bin Said al Said, Sultan of Oman.
18. Al Saud (Arabian origin) - This royal family house rules over Saudi Arabia.
19. Al Thani (Arabian origin) - The Al Thani House has featured many rulers, the latest being Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, who is known for his role in the country's oil sales.
20. Arbuthnot (English origin) - Myrtle Olive Felix Arbuthnot was a Baroness of Wharton.
21. Bernadotte (European origin) - This royal house surname included Kings of Sweden and Norway. It ended in 1889.
22. Bolkiah (Asian origin) - Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah rules Brunei.
23. Courtenay (English origin) - Edward Courtenay was the first Earl of Devon, and more earls followed in his family line.
24. Coventry (British origin) - George William Coventry was the thirteenth Earl of the area.
25. Glucksburg (Grecian origin) - Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark, who married Queen Elizabeth II, was a member of this house.
26. Grecia (Spanish origin) - Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos de Borbón y Grecia is the king of Spain.
27. Grimaldi (Monaco origin) - Caroline Louise Marquerite Grimaldi, Princess of Hanover, is also the daughter of an actress-turned-princess, Grace Kelly (or Grace of Monaco).
28. Guillaume (Monaco origin) - After Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
29. Gusic (European origin) - Gusic is a Croatian noble family that was part of the ruling monarchy in 11th century Croatia.
The Kingdom of Croatia was formed by 12 noble tribes including Gusics. Direct descendants of the Gusics carry the family surname till the present times. The name is said to be derived from the Croatian word for goose.
30. Kelly (American origin) - Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III and became Princess of Monaco.
31. Kenworthy (British origin) - Joseph Montague Kenworthy was the 10th Baron of Strabolgi, also known as Lord Strabolgi.
32. Lumley (British origin) - After Richard Lumley, an Earl of Scarborough.
33. Mahlangu (South African origin) - Zena Mahlangu is the wife of Mswati III, King of Swaziland.
34. Maria (Belgian origin) - Philipp Leopold Ludwig Maria was the King of the Belgians.
35. Monzepat (European origin) - After the former Prince Consort of Denmark.
36. Nahyan (Arabian origin) - The surname of the House of El Nahyan, which rules over the United Arab Emirates.
37. Pema (Asian origin) - Jetsun Pema is the Queen of Bhutan.
38. Seeiso (South African origin) - After David Mohato Bereng Seeiso, or Letsie III, King of Lesotho.
39. Sinclair (Scottish origin) - Henry Sinclair is the Earl of Orkney.
40. Tupou (Oceanian origin) - This house surname was created by three others and started in 1845 with King George Tupou I.
41. Wangchuck (Asian origin) - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is known as the Dragon King of Bhutan.
Ancient Royal Family Names
These ancient surnames, often encountered in history class, still hold relevance today. They provide insight into historical cultures and dynasties. This list of royal family last names from ancient times offers a look into the traditions and legacies of kingdoms past. It's a way to connect with history and learn about the names that once symbolized power and prestige.
42. Abdulaziz (Turkish origin) - A sultan of Ottoman.
43. Aethelwulf (English origin) - King of Wessex.
44. Alpin (Scottish origin) - A royal surname for Scottish rulers.
45. Anhalt-Zerbst (Polish origin) -Catherine the Great was born with the name Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst.
46. Astley (English origin) - After Sir William Astley.
47. Augustus (English origin) - Prince Edward Augustus was the Duke of Kent.
48. Balliol (Scottish origin) - King John Balliol Barclay also known as John de Balliol (before 1208 – October 25, 1268) was an English nobleman, belonging to the House of Balliol. Balliol College, in Oxford, is named after him. Balliol is a royal house name with claims to Scotland's throne.
49. Berengaria of Navarre (English origin) - She was Queen Consort of England.
50. Bruce (Scottish origin) - Clan Bruce was a house from Scotland that produced two kings.
51. Byron (English origin) - The Byron surname represented a house of barons.
52. Canmore (Scottish origin) - Malcolm III was King of Scots.
53. Canute (English origin) - Canute the Great was a King of England.
54. Capell (English origin) - William Anne Capell was the 4th Earl of Essex.
55. Capet (French origin) - The House of Capet was the ruling family of France. The Capets ruled France from 987 to 1328, and Charles IV was the last official King. Capet in Old French means captain or head.
56. Charlemagne (Roman origin) - King of the Franks.
57. Clifford (British origin) - The surname of a British noble family.
58. Conrad (German origin) - Conrad III of Germany was the son of a Duke.
59. Cromwell (English origin) - Oliver Cromwell led his army against King Charles in the English Civil War.
60. De Leon (English origin) - Richard I of England from 1189 to 1199 was known as Richard the Lionheart.
61. Dunkeld (Scottish origin) - This royal last name was meant for Scottish kings.
62. Egbert (English origin) - Former King of Wessex.
63. Eleanor (French origin) - Eleanor of Aquitaine was a Queen Consort of France.
64. Germanicus (Roman origin) - Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus later came to be known as Caligula. He ruled as a Roman emperor between AD 37 and AD 41.
65. Godwinson (English origin) - Harold Godwinson was the successor to William the Conqueror.
66. Herbert (Welsh origin) - Represents a noble royal surname, starting with Baron Herbert of Raglan.
67. Hohenstaufen (Roman origin) - The House of Hohenstaufen, also known as Stauffer, occupied an important position in the Holy Roman Empire from 1100 to the 1300s. The most prominent among the Stauffer families to rise to power is King Frederick in 1155 and Henry VI in 1191.
68. Ivrea (Spanish origin) - Peter of Castile was the last ruler of this house.
69. Ludwig (European origin) - Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who played a major role in the outbreak of World War I, was the son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria.
70. Jimmu (Japanese origin) - Emperor Jimmu was the first emperor of Japan.
71. Khan (Asian origin) - Genghis Khan was Emperor of the Mongol Empire.
72. Kiev (Ukrainian origin) - Igor of Kiev and Olga of Kiev were rulers of Slavic regions.
73. Makedon (European origin) - This last name is from the Kingdom of Macedonia. It is the surname of Alexander the Great.
74. Matilda (English origin) - Empress Matilda was born to the king of England and Matilda of Scotland.
75. Navarre (French origin) - Joan of Navarre was eventually a Queen Consort of France.
76. Novgorod (Slavic origin) - Oleg of Novgorod ruled the east Slavic region.
77. Nefertiti (Egyptian origin) - Neferneferuaten Nefertiti was married to Akhenaten, a Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty.
78. Neferkheperu (Egyptian origin) - The surname sometimes used for Thutmose, the third Pharaoh during Egypt's 18th dynasty.
79. Pasha al-Mas'ud ibn Agha (Egyptian origin)- The surname of Muhammad Ali of Egypt who ruled parts of Egypt, Sudan, and Arabia at different points in time.
80. Robertson (American origin) - Myles Christopher David Robertson was the 12th Baron of Wharton.
81. Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (German origin) - A German dynasty name.
82. Sviatoslavych (Slavic origin) - He was known as Vladimir the Great, ruler of an East Slavic region.
83. Stewart (Scottish origin) - Robert Stewart took over Scotland after the Bruce clan failed to produce a male heir.
84. Stuart (Scottish origin) - King James of Scotland was named James Charles Stuart.
85. Tudor (English origin) - This royal family's last name was founded by Henry VII and dissolved in 1603.
86. Pavlovich (Russian origin) - Alexander of Russia was Emperor of the country.
87. Vajiralongkorn (Asian origin) - King Maha Vajiralongkorn rules Thailand.
88. Wettin (English origin) - Queen Victoria Wettin was the Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland. She was the last in the line of Hanover. Her office surname was Wettin, though she never used it.
89. York (English origin) - One of the royal last names for English kings
Descendants Of Royalty
Ever wondered how the descendants of ancient royals keep their family legacy alive? Believe it or not, it's all in the name. Royal family members have some interesting traditions when it comes to their last names, especially during big events like marriages.
However, they don’t need to use a surname. Even when signing official documents, they may use their family’s territorial designation instead of their surname. Check out these names that descended from the ancient royals.
90. Blois (French origin) - Stephen of Blois was a great, great, great grandchild of Matilda of Flanders.
91. Bobrinsky (Russian origin) - Catherine the Great's son, a Count.
92. Campbell (Scottish origin) - John Campbell was a Duke of Argyll. He's a descendant of Princess Victoria.
93. Deerhurst (English origin) - Lord Ted Deerhurst was the son of an Earl of Coventry.
94. Gisele of France (French origin) - Daughter of Hugh Capet. She married a Count and had four children with him, furthering Capet's lineage.
95. Kemeys-Tynte (American origin) -Dorothy Elizabeth was a Baroness Wharton, after her father, the eighth Baron.
96. Langley (English origin) - Edmund of Langley was from the House of York.
97. Lascelles (English origin) - Gerald David Lascelles was known as The Honorable. He was Mary of Teck's grandson.
98. Pious (Roman origin) - Louis the Pious ruled the Franks with his father, Charlemagne, for some time.
99. Russell (English origin) - Edward Russell, the 23rd Baron de Clifford, was the child of Sophia Coussmaker, Baroness de Clifford, before him.
100. Suizei (Japanese origin) - The successor of Emperor Jimmu.
The journey through these royal last names has been nothing short of a grand adventure, hasn't it? While reading through this article, you have probably connected with history, culture, and even discovered unique inspirations for various creative projects.
The only downside? There's so much more to learn, and this list merely scratches the surface! If these names have piqued your curiosity, why not continue the exploration on your own?
Check your local library or search online to unearth even more royal gems. After all, every name has a story, and your next discovery could be just a page away!