When we think of kings and queens from throughout history, we usually only focus on the first name they went by — but have you ever thought about the royal last names?
Royal family last names are easily recognizable, and they often have a well-documented history and lineage. The general public admires noble families and showers them with admiration and reverence.
Members of royal families are also popular and hold a prominent position worldwide. For example, the Windsors, the British royal family and reigning monarchs in the UK, are well-known globally. Similarly, there are several other noble families in different countries.
In fact, according to a famous author, millions of Americans have family ties to Prince William or Kate Middleton — you could be among them.
Author Charles H. Browning, a member of the American Historical Association, compiled a thorough list of names that trace back to royal families across Europe back in Americans of Royal Descent from records he could locate in the 1800s.
That said, you’ll probably be surprised by the common surnames below that just happen to have royal genes hiding behind them. Take a look to see if you or someone you know could be descended from a royal family!
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Thomas
This common last name is linked to the King of France, Hugh Capet. He was in charge from 987 to 996. One famous descendant of this French monarch was Philip Evan Thomas, who lived in New York City and was born back in 1834.
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Watts
This name is linked to the King of Scotland, Robert II, who was in power from 1371 to 1390. One such descendant of the Watts line was Mary Alexander, who was born in 1749. She was wed to John Watts of New York and proceeded to create a new line of royal blood within the United States.
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Adams
People with this last name could be linked to William the Conqueror, the King of England from 1066 to 1087. One notable descendant of the king was the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, who was born in Massachusetts in 1767.
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Roberts
Edward I was King of England from 1272 to 1307. One descendant of this monarch was born in 1781 and named Elizabeth Evans. She married Cadwalader Roberts and changed her name to this common one.
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Livingston
The King of Scotland, James I, reigned from 1406 to 1437. The name Livingston has been linked to this monarch, and one more modern descendant of this man was Edward Livingston, the former mayor of New York City who was born in 1764.
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Lewis
The King of England, Edmund Ironside, ruled for only a few months from April to November 1016. One famous descendant of this English king was Sarah Claypoole, who was born in 1802 and married William David Lewis.
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Phillips
The King of France from 1027 to 1060 was Henry I. His descendant, Margaret Wendell, was born in 1739 and married William Phillips, creating a new family name linked to the French monarch.
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O’Brien
The High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014 was Brian Boru. One famous descendant of this Irish king was Reverend Matthew Patrick O’Brien from Philadelphia. He was born in 1837.
With this list from AWM, do you know anyone with potential royal family members hiding behind their common last name?
Source: AWM
