Anyone with the name Windsor might just be connected to the current Royal Family(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)Many of us have a curiosity about our lineage, family history and potential kin. The days of painstakingly sifting through heritage records and census data are long gone, thanks to numerous online platforms, such as MyHeritage, that make the process simple and accessible.
At present, MyHeritage is offering a 14-day free trial, giving people the opportunity to chart their family tree, uncover new relatives and delve into billions of historical records. They’ve even drawn up a list of 35 surnames that could hint at a Royal connection.
The company suggests that certain surnames have traditionally been associated with nobility and could indicate a Royal ancestry. If users bear one of these 35 surnames, they might be in for a surprise when they explore their family tree.
While having these surnames doesn’t guarantee a link to royalty, it offers a great starting point for those interested in their heritage. To find out more, individuals simply need to visit MyHeritage and begin building their family tree using the platform’s tools.
These allow users to add names, dates, photos and stories to share with potential relatives, before diving into historical archives filled with census data, birth and death certificates, and marriage records. The platform also offers DNA testing services. These provide customers with information about their ethnic heritage and help them connect with family members.
The surname Hanover refers to the royal house that featured Queen Victoria(Image: The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)If this service doesn’t tickle the fancy of genealogy enthusiasts, there are alternative DNA platforms available, including Ancestry. This service offers DNA analysis from £79 and assists in organising and linking customers with their relatives while offering insights into family roots.
There’s also 23andMe, which provides DNA testing featuring ancestry breakdowns, personalised health information and additional services starting from £89.
Here’s the complete list of 35 surnames which could suggest you’re somewhat related to the Royals:
Windsor: The current British royal family’s surname since 1917Tudor: The Welsh dynasty that produced monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth IStuart: A Scottish house that ruled England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th centuriesPlantagenet: A royal house that provided England with monarchs from Henry II to Richard IIICapet: The dynasty that ruled France from 987 to 1328Bourbon: A European royal house that ruled France, Spain, and other territoriesHabsburg: A prominent royal house of Europe, known for ruling the Holy Roman EmpireHanover: The British royal house from George I to Queen VictoriaValois: A cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty that ruled FranceLancaster: A branch of the Plantagenet dynasty, known for its role in the Wars of the RosesYork: Another Plantagenet branch, also central to the Wars of the RosesBruce: A Scottish royal house, with Robert the Bruce being a notable kingde Valois: A French royal house that produced several kingsde Medici: An influential Italian family that produced royalty and popesSavoy: A royal family that once ruled parts of Italy and FranceOrange-Nassau: The Dutch royal familyOldenburg: A European royal house that includes the current Danish royal familyGlucksburg: A branch of the House of Oldenburg, associated with Danish and Norwegian royaltyRomanov: The last imperial dynasty to rule RussiaBaskerville: A noble family name with historical ties to English aristocracyDarcy: A surname associated with medieval nobility and landowners in England and IrelandNeville: A powerful English noble family with significant influence during the medieval periodPercy: An aristocratic English family known for their role in British historyAstley: A noble surname linked to the English peerageCapell: A distinguished English family with historical ties to the aristocracyHoward: A prominent aristocratic family in the UK, holding the title of Dukes of NorfolkSeymour: The family of Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, with ties to the Dukedom of SomersetGrey: Associated with Lady Jane Grey, England’s nine-day queenFitzAlan: A powerful medieval family, former Earls of ArundelCourtenay: A noble family with connections to English and French royaltyManners: The surname of the Dukes of Rutland, a high-ranking noble familyRussell: Connected to the Dukes of Bedford, an influential aristocratic lineageCavendish: The surname of the Dukes of Devonshire, a powerful British noble familyTalbot: A noble family holding the Earldom of ShrewsburySpencer: The family name of Princess Diana, tying it to the modern British royal family
MyHeritage has mapped out the continent’s royal families(Image: MyHeritage)MyHeritage boasts an impressive 4 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot. One customer said the site provided: “Immediate accurate statistics of my immediate family members.”
Another customer observed: “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 third fan gushed: “My family history has expanded and the format is easily understood. Changes are quick and easy. Thank you.”
However, not everyone was convinced, with one user expressing: “I don’t fully understand it. I can’t find a user guide, difficult to navigate, Help Centre does not always understand my problems.”
Yet another amateur genealogist described their experience with the platform as ‘thoroughly enjoyable,’ explaining: “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 testing kits and platform are available through the MyHeritage website. Click here to find out more.