The 35 surnames that could mean you are related to the royal family
Many of us are keen to delve into our family tree, uncovering our roots and potential relatives. The era of laboriously trawling through heritage archives and census data is a thing of the past, thanks to various online platforms like MyHeritage that have made this task straightforward and accessible.
Currently, MyHeritage is offering a 14-day free trial, allowing folks to map out their family tree, discover new kin and explore billions of historical records. They've even compiled a list of 35 surnames that could possibly suggest a connection to royalty.
The firm proposes that certain last names have historically been linked with the aristocracy and could strongly hint at a Royal bloodline.
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If users bear one of these 35 surnames, they might be in for a surprise when they start digging into their family history.
While possessing these surnames doesn't assure a Royal connection, it provides a brilliant starting point for those intrigued by their ancestry, reports the Mirror.
To learn more, individuals simply need to head over to MyHeritage and start constructing their family tree using the platform's tools that enable users to input names, dates, photos and stories to share with potential relatives, before delving into historical archives filled with census data, birth and death certificates, as well as marriage records.
MyHeritage also offers DNA testing services, giving customers insights into their ethnic heritage and linking them up with family members.
For those seeking alternatives, Ancestry is another DNA service on offer, providing genetic analysis from £79 to help users connect with kin and delve into their familial origins.
23andMe is also in the mix, offering DNA tests that include ancestral breakdowns and personalised health insights, with prices starting at £89.
Here's the exhaustive roll call of 35 surnames that might hint at a distant connection to royalty:
Windsor: The current British royal family's surname since 1917. Tudor: The Welsh dynasty that produced monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Stuart: A Scottish house that ruled England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuries. Plantagenet: A royal house that provided England with monarchs from Henry II to Richard III. Capet: The dynasty that ruled France from 987 to 1328. Bourbon: A European royal house that ruled France, Spain, and other territories. Habsburg: A prominent royal house of Europe, known for ruling the Holy Roman Empire. Hanover: The British royal house from George I to Queen Victoria. Valois: A cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty that ruled France. Lancaster: A branch of the Plantagenet dynasty, known for its role in the Wars of the Roses. York: Another Plantagenet branch, also central to the Wars of the Roses. Bruce: A Scottish royal house, with Robert the Bruce being a notable king. de Valois: A French royal house that produced several kings. de Medici: An influential Italian family that produced royalty and popes. Savoy: A royal family that once ruled parts of Italy and France. Orange-Nassau: The Dutch royal family. Oldenburg: A European royal house that includes the current Danish royal family. Glucksburg: A branch of the House of Oldenburg, associated with Danish and Norwegian royalty. Romanov: The last imperial dynasty to rule Russia. Baskerville: A noble family name with historical ties to English aristocracy. Darcy: A surname associated with medieval nobility and landowners in England and Ireland. Neville: A powerful English noble family with significant influence during the medieval period. Percy: An aristocratic English family known for their role in British history. Astley: A noble surname linked to the English peerage. Capell: A distinguished English family with historical ties to the aristocracy. Howard: A prominent aristocratic family in the UK, holding the title of Dukes of Norfolk. Seymour: The family of Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, with ties to the Dukedom of Somerset. Grey: Associated with Lady Jane Grey, England's nine-day queen. FitzAlan: A powerful medieval family, former Earls of Arundel. Courtenay: A noble family with connections to English and French royalty. Manners: The surname of the Dukes of Rutland, a high-ranking noble family. Russell: Connected to the Dukes of Bedford, an influential aristocratic lineage. Cavendish: The surname of the Dukes of Devonshire, a powerful British noble family. Talbot: A noble family holding the Earldom of Shrewsbury. Spencer: The family name of Princess Diana, tying it to the modern British royal family.
MyHeritage has earned a commendable 4-star rating on Trustpilot. A pleased customer shared: "Immediate accurate statistics of my immediate family members."
Another user praised the platform, saying: "Regular updates of discoveries, positive results. This site is not just about the money, it is about genuine results for the family history researcher."
A different user expressed satisfaction with the site's usability: "My family history has expanded and the format is easily understood. Changes are quick and easy. Thank you,".
Yet, the service didn't hit the mark for everyone, as one individual reported: "I don't fully understand it. I can't find a user guide, difficult to navigate, Help Center does not always understand my problems."
Conversely, another budding genealogist recounted their positive experience: "Finding related families and information relating to individuals has been a wonderful experience. MyHeritage has made it even easier to trace ancestors and verify relations."
The DNA tests and platform can be found on the MyHeritage website.
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