100 Royal Last Names and Their Meanings. Collins (English and Irish origin) means "son of Colin" or "darling". The habitational surname referred to people who lived near a ford. The Gille family is descendants of the Gille dynasty of Norway, which was powerful around the 12th century. American actor Adam Lamberg and Finnish actress Karin Lamberg-Skog are popular bearers of this surname. Chalon in French means blanket. The family was founded by Robert, the Bruce, who was a high-ranking knight during the rule of William I in the 13th century AD. The peerage comprises five ranks, which are, in descending order, duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. Contarini is derived from the Italian word conti meaning companion. Notable people with the surname include: Alfred Noble (engineer) (1844-1914), American civil engineer Sir Andrew Noble, 1st Baronet (1831-1915), Scottish physicist [1] The Gravenreuth was a German nobility who ruled Grafenreuth around 1180. Althans are a German nobility that hails from the Bavaria region. Bradley Cooper, the world-renowned actor, is a bearer of this last name. What are the rarest surnames in the UK? It refers to Briton or Foreigner literally meaning Welshman. 14. The dynasty was founded by Estrid Svendsdatter. Shaw is a topographical last name and refers to Someone who lived by a thicket or a copse. The family was well represented from the 1300s to the 1800s in Croatian nobility. The dissolution of the dynasty happened around 1125, but the Salian blood exists to date. The Supplinburger rose to their full prominence in the 1200s when many family members occupied positions equivalent to Dukes and Counts. The original bearer of the surname was a pilgrim who carried palm branches back from the Holy Land. A famous surname among English folks, the origin of Wood dates back to pre 7th Century Old English period. Moravia or de Moravia is a family of a long line of Italian nobility. Wilkinson refers to the Son of Wilkin. Anderson is known to be one of the most common surnames in Sweden. The Banfi manor and the Banfi castle are popular tourist attractions of the region. The patronymic surname derived from Morris and refers to Son of Morris. They built the famous Castle of Arco around the 14th century. This occupational surname is also native to Belgian and Dutch Limburg. The Nostitz family has occupied the status of nobility for nearly a millennia in Saxony, Germany. The Sinzendorf family formed part of the prestigious high nobility families in the Kingdom of Austria. Owen (Welsh and Celtic Origin), meaning, 'noble', is suitable for all kinds of British surnames. This long list of English or British surnames will acquaint you with the most popular ones. Surnames help you distinguish yourself and your clan from the rest. Random Names Graham Barnet Khalid Bashir Mohammad Bhatti John Blanchard Lily Bowler Janet Cocklin Louise Cooper Gaye Dickinson David Dowling Kelvin Drake Mike East Fraser Elder Pauline Elkington Iris Evans Emma Field Chris Gaffey Jacqueline Gregory Ann Harding Cyril Holmes David Howlett Paul Hutton Sharon Jones Nicholas Kennedy Scott Lemon Descendants of the Mattei family continue to live in Rome and Florence. Founded by John Howard in the late 1400s, the Howard family went on to become a powerful English family. It is a variant of Murchadh, Murphey, or MacMurphy. Famous last name bearer: actress Lily Collins. Common British Last Names. Simpson is a patronymic Anglo-Scottish surname and is derived from the words Symson, Simme or Simon that refer to Son of Simon. Allen This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitution for professional health services. They have ruled over the second millennia now, with the House being founded around the 1020s. Taczanowski was a prominent and old family that enjoyed this power. It means a Rock. Though it has an English origin, it is derived from the Greek or Latin name Hillary, which means Who lives on a hill. This surname is of Irish origin and belongs to the Isle of Wight, near Hampshire, England. For example, the Windsors, the British royal family and reigning monarchs in the UK, are well-known globally . Although the Normans, or Norsemen, had only been settled in northern France for about two generations, they retained little of their original language and the naming pattern was altered. Shikha is a writer-turned-associate editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. They have occupied the rank of Baronetage in the British aristocracy. It is derived from Adam, which means a Man in Hebrew. Garfield, (English Origin) An English surname which is thought to be habitational. Originated in Scotland, Gray is nicknamed for people having grey hair. Palaiologos were a Greek family who occupied nobility in the Byzantine Empire of the 1400s. The Lombard bloodline lived on through the Norman Empire in later times. Phillips is derived from Philein, which refers to A lover for horses. People with the surname Palaiologos can be found in Greece, and members claim a direct connection to the Palaiologos of lore. In medieval Croatia, nobilities formed the Patriciate. Originated during the Medieval English era, Scott refers to people who belonged to Scotland. It is speculated that they arrived at the Venetian lagoon after eluding the invasion of Attila in northern Italy. This surname is widespread in Europe, but is most prevalent in Italy. They rose to prominence during the war of Wilhelminar under the leadership of brothers William and Engelschalk. Holstein in Saxon means forest dwellers. The Orseolo family produced three Doges and many other high-ranking administrative officers. The founder of the Kantakouzenos line was John Kantakouzenos. However, their Baronetcy ranks have become obsolete officially in the early 19th century. It means Powerful or Brave. The family was first recorded in the early 1200s, and members of the family have occupied positions of Barons and ambassadors. They have also ruled many other countries and territories, including Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, and Sweden , apart from Oldenburg. It belongs to both Old Welsh and Medieval English origins and is derived from the pre 7th Century term Llwyd meaning Grey. Hall is a variation of Heall, Halle or Holl and is derived from a spacious part of the residence. The last male descendant of the noble family had passed away in 1952. It is an occupational name that refers to a wine steward or the chief servant of a medieval household. It is a variation of Edwardes and Edwardson and originated from Olde English pre 7th Century. This is another occupational surname, which originated from the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. That makes it the 338th most common surname overall. Watts is a short form of Walter meaning Ruler or Warrior and is an Anglo-Scottish surname. The following generations used Artois as their last names. Booth is the last name most popular in Northern England and Scandinavia. Kelly (Irish origin) means "bright headed or troublesome". Derived from Alan this last name was first used somewhere in the 6th Century. Chapman (German Origin), meaning, 'to barter, bargain, or deal'. The word of Thomas is derived from the Aramaic word that means Twins. Nonetheless, they are considered noble and compared among one of the royals. Most famous among them was Antonio Pignatelli, who became Pope in 1691. Arco is a habitation name in Italian and is originally derived from the arc meaning bow. The word Rhys means Enthusiasm in Welsh. The surname Grimani from old Germanic translates to helmet or shield. It is derived from the Latin term Johannes or Yohanan, meaning Jehovah has favored. Alpin in Gaelic stands for white and has been used to refer to mountain folks. It is another very popular surname choice in British lands. It is an Old English occupational last name, which refers to the Keeper of the park. Subsequent immigrants were Katerina Nova, who moved to Chicago in 1866, and Domingo Nova Fernandez, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1873. Doukas family descendants are still found in many parts of Greece till present times. Morgan has Celtic roots and belongs to Britons of Wales. One of the most famous last names in British history, Russell was brought into the country by Normans. The name House of Bjrn Ironside comes from the founder of the dynasty Bjrn Ironside who is seen as a legendary and heroic figure. It is an occupational last name originated during Olde English pre 7th Century period, and refers to Hunta or Huntian, meaning Hunter. The Hesse family descended from the powerful House of Brabant and occupied high ranks in the monarchy of Germany, Sweden, and Finland. Members of this royal family are also spread across Germany and Austria through marriage alliances. Royal family last names are easily recognizable, and they often have a well-documented history and lineage. After the Norman conquest of 1066, this last name migrated to England. Nassau is situated on the German-Dutch Orange Route and has solid ancient and social connections to local Luxembourg and historical connections to the Netherlands. Alesha Dixon, an English singer and TV personality, is a famous bearer of this name. The House of Hohenstaufen, also known as Stauffer, occupied an important position in the Holy Roman Empire from 1100 to the 1300s. Saunders is derived from Saunder or Alexander. Actress Emilia Fox is a noteworthy bearer of this last name. Arlay in French roughly translates to meadow. The Stanley family is an ancient English family with close ties with the famous Audley family, and later descendants refer to thems as Stanley-Audley. The descendants of Lothbrok are found in Scandinavian and Icelandic regions. Astleys are a noble family from England. In the 1600s, the family position was elevated to High Counts. Turner is a surname of English and Scottish origins and refers to Maker of objects from wood or metal. Adams/Adamson Meaning: Son of Adam. Cole (Medieval English origin) means "coal-black" or "charcoal". Hughes originated in the regions of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Powell refers to Son of Hywel. However, their Baronetcy ranks have become obsolete officially in the early 19th century. This common Scottish surname is derived from a patronymic form of Hendry or Henry. Their power was at its peak during the 900s but dwindled after the 1100s. This last name is of the Welsh origin and is the Anglicized form of the term Hywel or Howell, which means Eminent. In the following infographic, we included a list of royal surnames that are highly known. Donald means World ruler. Burton is a habitational surname, which is a combination of two words. This surname originates from the Old French era wherein Bel means Beautiful or Fair. Constantine Angelos was a prominent member of this clan who claimed high rankings following his marriage to the daughter of the emperor of that time. The title Duke of Nassau is now utilized as the secondary title by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. 21. The Mlinari surname can still be found in many parts of Croatia and is associated with wealth and power. The sons of a Norman named Robert used a modern inheritable surname, FitzGerald, in honour of an earlier relative, named Gerald. The House of Lorraine was founded when they inherited the Duchy of Lorraine in 1473. It is derived from a Gaelic word which means Headland. It refers to someone having a crooked mouth. A notable person having this last name is Owen Wilson. Includes 5 activities aimed at students 11-14 years old (KS3) & 5 activities aimed at students 14-16 year old (GCSE). Members of the family occupied a variety of high posts in Venetian nobility. 22. Clarke is an Anglo Irish surname, which refers to a Clerk. Appleton: A locational name that likely derives from the Old English aeppleton meaning "orchard". If you are curious about the royal surnames from Europe and want to know more about them, your quest stops here. Kantakouzenos, also spelled as Cantacuzenos, is one of the most prominent Greek noble families. It belongs to the Olde English pre 7th Century era. A very noble family name. As of present times, most Moravians are found in the Czech Republic, where they are officially recognized. The Grimani family was one of the main three ruling families in Venice between the 13th and 16th centuries AD. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. This topographic name or a metonymic occupational name belongs to the Middle English period and is referred to as Someone who lived by a Barn or Worked at a barn. It belongs to the early Medieval English era. It will help one be identified as per the family lineage they belong to. It originated during 700 AD in England. Orsini is a family name of Italian genesis. Murphy, meaning Sea warrior, originated in Ireland. It is derived from Elis or Elijah, which means Jehovah is my God. Dawson is of Anglo-Saxon descent that spread to the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. From the 1400s to the 1800s, Moraveias spread out to other parts of Europe, most notably to Germany and Austria. The House of Loredan has been one of the richest and highest nobles in 1100 AD Venice. Scott is derived from the pre 7th Century word Scotti. Abel: A German surname that is likely patronymic and translates as "noble one". The Windsors are the reigning royals of the United Kingdom and probably the most well-known royal house around the world. Johnson: Johnson means 'son of John.'. When we think of Britain, we think of its royalness and unforgettable rulers. The Merovingian surname has been derived from Merovech, who was the King of the Salian Franks. The surname Maxwell was adopted from a location near Melrose, in Roxburghshire, Scotland. 1. Tudor was an old line of nobility in England who ruled England, Wales and Ireland. This surname is a variant of Steward and has a Scottish origin. The name Robin means Fame or Bright. They also had some Doges, a high-ranking official in the erstwhile Kingdom. Jones refers to Son of John and is a popular last name in Wales and South Central England. In Old English, smitan means "to strike.". It is used for someone who worked as a cook, seller of cooked food, or a keeper of an eatery. Philip von Neumann held the position of Baron in Rome in 1830. The name Ernut means diligent and hardworking. Their history traces their early settlement in present-day Slovenia. The family flourished in the 9th to 11th centuries as the Byzantine Empire reached its peak and later dwindled. Many members of the family have risen to the rank of Count, especially in the 1700s. Adams It is derived from Adam, which means a 'Man' in Hebrew. Harvey is derived from the Celtic words that refer to battle, ardent, worthy, or strong. One of the first immigrants of this family was Francisco de Nova, who moved to New Granada in 1567. 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