Did you know there was actually a time when people only went by their first names? Surnames, or last names, developed throughout history because people needed a way to distinguish themselves, and their families, from one another. Today, surnames are one tool used to connect people to their ancestors and family history.

The British royal family’s last name was officially adopted in 1917, and the history behind royal surnames and their origins is intricate and complex. Gaining a deeper understanding of royal names and their origins can provide you with tools to piece together your own family history, especially if you share a surname with them.

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The History Behind Royal Surnames 

Prior to 1917, British royal family members did not use surnames. Instead, they were addressed by their first names, followed by the names of their royal houses and or dynasties, such as Edward IV and the Yorkists. However, people often assume that the royal house and dynasty names were the surnames of the royal family members, but this was not the case. Some examples of these royal houses and dynasties include:

• Saxe-Coburg-Gotha: The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was a British dynasty that came to be when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, son of Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. King George V replaced this royal house name with the surname Windsor in 1917.
• House of Tudor: The House of Tudor ruled over England from 1485 to 1603. Henry VII reigned from 1485 to 1509, and he was responsible for ending the War(s) of the Roses—a series of battles between the Houses of York and Lancaster that occurred between 1455 and 1485. Both houses were competing for the throne of England. 

The Royal Family Last Name: The Adoption of the Windsor Surname

In 1910, George V, son of Edward VII, succeeded to the royal throne. At the time, the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was the family name of Edward VII’s father, Prince Albert. This changed in 1917, when the Windsor name was adopted as both the Royal house name and British royal family last name. The reason behind the name change was due to a strong anti-German sentiment throughout England during the First World War.

During this time, German air raids on Britain were increasing, with one bombing of a London school resulting in the deaths of 18 children. The planes used to carry out the bombings were called Gotha bombers. While there was no relation between the bombers and the royal family, the similarities in the names resulted in the name change to Windsor in July 1917. 

Royal Family First Names

Royals must follow specific traditions and rules when naming their children. Babies born into the royal family are usually given at least three first names at birth, and the names honor past generations. The full name of Queen Elizabeth ll was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, and King Charles’ full name is Charles Phillip Arthur George.

The next generation of royal children born to Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are Prince George Alexander Louis, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and Prince Louis Arthur Charles. 

Prince George is named after his great-great-grandfather King George VI, and Princess Charlotte is named after King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, and her middle names honor Queen Elizabeth and her grandmother, Princess Diana. Prince Louis takes his name from Louis Mountbatten, the grand-uncle of Prince William. Louis’ third name honors his grandfather, King Charles. 

Elizabeth is a personal name with its earliest origins in Medieval Europe. Elizabeth is the name of John the Baptist’s mother, and its Hebrew translation is “my God is my oath.”

George is a first name taken from the word “georgios,” which means “rustic” and “farmer.” Saint George was a figure in the Christian church who was believed to be martyred in AD 303. 

Louis is a personal name that combines the words “hlog” and “wig” and translates to “fame” and “war.” Louis IX was a French king who reigned from 1214-1270. St. Louis, Missouri is also named after Louis IX.

Popular and Common Aristocratic Surnames

Some of the most popular and common royal surnames include Appleton, Barclay, and Charlemagne. These aristocratic surnames are commonly used throughout the world today, and they all have their own unique origins and meanings. 

• Appleton: Appleton is a common Old English habitational surname taken from the word “aeppeltun,” which translates to “orchard” or “apple enclosure.” During the Middle Ages, apples were considered an essential survival food throughout the cold winters. Samuel Appleton was born in Somerset, England in 1586 to Master Thomas Appleton Jentellman. Samuel and his wife Judith Everard were descendants of William the Conqueror and Louis V.
• Barclay: Barclay is an English habitational name taken from the place names “Berkley” and “Berkely.” Barclay translates loosely to “woodland clearing.” Towie Barclay Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland was one of several castles belonging to Clan Barclay, a Scottish clan. Descendents of Clan Barclay include Walter de Berkely, Chamberlain of Scotland, and Sir David Barclay.
• Charlemagne: Charlemagne has origins in France and St. Lucia, and it’s taken directly from the Roman Emperor Charlemagne. The medieval emperor ruled over many areas of Western Europe between 768 and 814. He was crowned King of Franks in 771. The surname is a combination of the first name “Charles” and the word “magne,” which translates to “great.” 

Exploring Royal Lineage and Discovering the History of Your Own Last Name

Exploring the lineage of royal families of the past can provide insight into their heritage, culture, and the impact that each generation left on the world. 

You can also explore your own surname and connections to royalty by searching the vast collection of public records, photographs, and documents on Ancestry®. Learn about your own family story by starting your free trial* of Ancestry today. 

*A free trial of World Explorer or All Access may be required for international record collections.