You might be related to the Royal Family if you have one of these surnames
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A growing number of people are uncovering royal links through DNA testing, and these 35 surnames are strongly tied to historic dynasties
DNA testing kits are cheaper than ever, and they’re giving people a fascinating window in to their family history - and every now and again they throw up some incredible surprises.
A remarkable number of people have delved in to their family history to find they have links to royalty - from sharing distant lines with kings and queens, to unknown relations to ancient nobility - it’s easy to find out once you have a DNA kit, but sometimes just a surname can give you a hint to what you might uncover.
You might have seen an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? in which EastEnders star Danny Dyer found out he was directly descended from King Edward III and Richard III. He’s not alone either. Thousands of people could have a bit of Royal blood in them somewhere.
If your family name is on the list below, you need to take a DNA test - because there’s a good chance your family tree might lead to something very interesting. And, even if you’re not part of the Royal family, you could end up discovering relatives you never know you had.
Find out how easy and cheap it is to explore your roots with MyHeritage DNA by clicking here.
Scroll through this list of 35 surnames – all of them linked to royal or noble dynasties in the UK and Europe. Then check your family history… You might be a king or queen in the making.
1. Windsor
The name of the current Royal Family. If it runs in your family, you could be closer to the throne than you think.
2. Tudor
Henry VIII’s lot. You know, the one with six wives. Still turning up in Welsh and English family trees.
3. Stuart
Scottish royals who ruled both sides of the border. Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie were Stuarts.
4. Plantagenet
The OG royal dynasty. Gave us Richard the Lionheart, Edward III and more.
5. Capet
Medieval kings of France. Their descendants spread far and wide after the Norman invasion.
6. Bourbon
Another French powerhouse, also ruled Spain. Think Versailles, power, and scandal.
7. Habsburg
Massive European dynasty – rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and half of Europe at one point.
8. Hanover
Imported royals who ran Britain from George I through to Queen Victoria.
9. Valois
French royalty from the 14th to 16th centuries – if you’re part French, it’s one to look out for.
10. Lancaster
Famous in the Wars of the Roses. Henry IV, Henry V… a blood-soaked dynasty.
11. York
The other side of the Roses war. Richard III’s crew – he’s the one they found under a car park.
12. Bruce
Scottish legend Robert the Bruce defeated the English at Bannockburn. Enough said.
13. de Valois
Elite French nobility, closely tied to the royal succession.
14. de Medici
Italian rulers and Renaissance icons. If this is in your tree, you’ve got flair in your blood.
15. Savoy
Royalty from parts of Italy and France. Played a big role in European power games.
16. Orange-Nassau
The Dutch royal family. William of Orange became a British king.
17. Oldenburg
The ruling house of Denmark and Norway – and cousins of many other royals.
18. Glucksburg
A branch of Oldenburg. Modern royalty in Scandinavia comes from here.
19. Romanov
Russia’s last imperial dynasty. The Tsars – opulence, tragedy and all.
20. Baskerville
Not just a Sherlock Holmes mystery. A real English noble family, originally Norman.
21. Darcy
Medieval aristocrats in England and Ireland. Think land, power, and influence.
22. Neville
Key players in the Wars of the Roses. A family of kingmakers.
Search your name and start your family tree today with MyHeritage. Click here to get started.
23. Percy
Northern aristocrats with castles to prove it. Big names in English history.
24. Astley
Midlands landowners with links to the peerage.
25. Capell
Earls of Essex. Major players in the English Civil War.
26. Howard
Dukes of Norfolk. One of England’s most powerful noble families.
27. Seymour
Jane Seymour’s family – yes, the wife Henry VIII actually liked.
28. Grey
Lady Jane Grey was queen for nine days. It counts.
29. FitzAlan
Former Earls of Arundel. Medieval movers and shakers.
30. Courtenay
Tied to both English and French royalty. A Crusader-era power family.
31. Manners
Dukes of Rutland. Still a big deal in aristocratic circles.
32. Russell
Dukes of Bedford. Politicians, landowners, royal allies.
33. Cavendish
Founders of Chatsworth House and the Dukes of Devonshire.
34. Talbot
Earls of Shrewsbury. A stronghold name in English nobility.
35. Spencer
Princess Diana’s family name. And through her, connected to William and Harry.
If your surname’s on this list – or even in your wider family – it’s well worth digging deeper. You could be sitting on a royal story just waiting to be uncovered.
Start your royal search with MyHeritage DNA today
Your royal family tree might only be a few clicks away. With MyHeritage DNA, it’s free and easy to get started – just enter a few names and watch your tree grow. From birth records and marriage certificates to DNA connections and old family photos, they’ll help you uncover generations of your history.
You can even take a MyHeritage DNA test to uncover your origins across more than 2,100 global regions – and maybe even find distant cousins you never knew you had.
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