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How Did Medieval Dynasties Get Their Names?

What’s in a name? For medieval dynasties, names were not just labels—they were reflections of power, legacy, and identity. But did the rulers of the Carolingians, Hohenstaufen, or Plantagenets call themselves by these names? Surprisingly, many of these dynastic labels were coined much later by historians. Let’s explore how twenty of the most famous ruling families from the Middle Ages got their names.

1. Plantagenet Dynasty

Enamel effigy of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou on his tomb, formerly at Le Mans Cathedral, now in the Museum of Archeology and History in Le Mans.

The Plantagenets, who ruled England from 1154 to 1485, did not adopt this name until the mid-15th century. Richard, Duke of York, took on ‘Plante Genest’ as his family name, referencing a nickname for his sixth great-grandfather, Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. The name likely came from the Latin words for the broom plant, and historians later applied it to all of Geoffrey’s descendants.

2. Yuan Dynasty

A portrait of Khubilai Khanm First Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty

The Yuan Dynasty in China (1271–1368) derives its name from its official title Yuán Cháo (元朝), which means “Great Yuan.” The term “Yuan” was chosen by Kublai Khan, the founder of the dynasty, and it reflects the influence of Confucian cosmology and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. Specifically, the name “Yuan” was inspired by the I Ching (Book of Changes), where it represents the origin or “primordial” – a fitting title for a dynasty that sought to legitimise its rule over a vast and diverse empire.

3. Merovingian Dynasty

A 17th-century depiction of Merovech, by
Nicolas de Larmessin (1632–1694) – Wikimedia Commons

French historians named the Merovingians after Merovech, a semi-legendary figure thought to be the father of Childeric I, a 5th-century Frankish leader. Merovech’s name became synonymous with the dynasty’s identity, but whether he was a real person or a mythical ancestor remains a matter of debate. His supposed connection to sea creatures, possibly through a legend linking him to a sea god, adds a layer of intrigue to the dynasty’s origins.

4. Carolingian Dynasty

Stained glass window depicting Charles Martel at Strasbourg Cathedral. – Photo by Rh67/Wikipedia

This dynasty’s name derives from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, and it highlights the prominence of a key figure within its lineage. Historians disagree on whether it honours Charles Martel, the de facto ruler of the Merovingian era known for his military victories, or his grandson Charlemagne (Charles the Great), whose reign symbolised the height of Carolingian power. Either way, the dynasty’s name underscores the enduring legacy of “Charles” as a symbol of leadership and authority.

5. Capetian Dynasty

The Coronation of Hugh Capet depicted in a medieval manuscript. BnF MS Français 2815, fol. 58v

The Capetians, who ruled France from 987 to 1328, were named after their founder, Hugh Capet. His surname, a nickname meaning “cape,” may have referred to his distinctive clothing or a ceremonial garment associated with his status. At the time, this family was referred to as the “third race” of French kings, succeeding the Merovingians and Carolingians, and their rule laid the foundations for the eventual consolidation of France as a kingdom.

6. Ottoman Dynasty

An Ottoman miniature depicting Osman I, c. 1580 – Wikimedia Commons

This Turkoman dynasty began in 1299 with Osman Ghazi, who led a small tribe in northwestern Anatolia. The name “Ottoman” derives from Osman’s name, rendered as Uthman in Arabic. By the late 14th century, his descendants had expanded their territory significantly, officially naming their empire the Devlet-i ʿAlīye-yi ʿOsmānīye, meaning “Sublime Ottoman State.”

7. Habsburg Dynasty

Habsburg Castle in Switzerland – photo by Freaktalius / Wikimedia Commons

One of the most powerful dynasties of the late medieval and early modern periods, the Habsburgs took their name from Habsburg Castle, which their family constructed in the early 11th century. The name “Habsburg” itself may have originated from the German words habichtsburg, meaning “hawk’s castle,” reflecting the family’s ties to the fortress.

8. Piast Dynasty

A 19th-century litograpgt depicting angels visit the home of Piast the Wheelwright – Wikimedia Commons

The first rulers of Poland were named after Piast the Wheelwright, a legendary figure often considered the dynasty’s founder. His humble profession as a wheelwright became a symbol of the dynasty’s origins, and later generations used his name to assert legitimacy as the leaders of early Poland.

9. Hohenstaufen Dynasty

Hohenstaufen Castle Fresco in Oberhofen Church, Göppingen, c. 1470

This German ruling family took their name from Hohenstaufen Castle, one of their ancestral fortresses in Swabia. The name “Hohenstaufen” combines the German words for “high” (hohen) and the castle’s location, reflecting the fortress’s elevated position and its importance to the family.

10. Macedonian Dynasty

Emperor Basil I (867-886) as depicted in the Madrid Skylitzes

The Byzantine Macedonian dynasty (867–1056) was named after its founder, Basil I, also known as Basil the Macedonian. Although the name implies he was from Macedonia, modern historians believe Basil likely had Armenian roots, which makes the choice of name both symbolic and potentially misleading.

11. Rurik Dynasty

Rurik depicted in the Radziwiłł Chronicle

The dynasty of Kievan Rus’ was named after Rurik (Hrøríkʀ in Old Norse), a semi-legendary Varangian chieftain invited to rule Novgorod in 862. His name reflects his Scandinavian heritage, and his descendants would rule parts of Eastern Europe for centuries, cementing his legacy as the dynasty’s founder.

12. Solomonic Dynasty

Contemporary painting of Yekuno Amlak, Geneta Mariam Church (Lalibela) – Wikimedia Commons

Yekuno Amlak, who became emperor of Ethiopia in 1270, claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. This association not only inspired the dynasty’s name but also reinforced its ties to biblical and Christian traditions, enhancing its spiritual and political authority in Ethiopia.

13. Joseon Dynasty

Portrait of Yi Sŏng-gye, later Taejo of Joseon

The Joseon dynasty of Korea began in 1392 with Yi Seong-gye, who renamed his ruling house after an ancient, semi-mythical Korean kingdom known as Gojoseon. The name “Joseon,” meaning “Pristine Morning,” was chosen to evoke a sense of renewal and a connection to Korea’s earliest historical roots.

14. Abbasid Dynasty

as-Saffah’s proclamation as the first Abbasid Caliph, from a 14th-century illustrated manuscript of Balami’s Tarikhnama – Wikimedia Commons

This Islamic dynasty, which ruled from 750 to 1258, derived its name from Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. The Abbasid name emphasised the family’s close connection to the Prophet’s lineage, lending their rule legitimacy in the Islamic world. The dynasty’s choice of name highlighted their position as rightful leaders of the Muslim community, especially after overthrowing the Umayyads.

15. Árpád Dynasty

Árpád depicted in Chronica Hungarorum

The Árpád dynasty was named after Árpád, the leader of the Magyar tribes who settled in Hungary in the late 9th century. Árpád’s leadership during the Magyar migration into the Carpathian Basin made his name synonymous with the early formation of Hungary, and his descendants used this connection to establish their authority over the region for centuries.

16. Bruce Dynasty

The Bruce dynasty in Scotland began with Robert the Bruce, who became king in 1306. The name “Bruce” traces back to a local lord from Brix in Normandy, France. Members of the family migrated to England and later to Scotland in the 12th century, where they rose to prominence and solidified their legacy through Robert’s leadership during Scotland’s Wars of Independence.

17. Almoravid Dynasty

Possible depiction of Abu Bakr ibn Umar (labelled “Rex Bubecar”), in the 1413 portolan chart of Mecia de Viladestes

This North African Berber dynasty (11th–12th centuries) took its name from the Arabic term al-Murābiṭūn, meaning “those who live in a ribat (fortified monastery).” The name reflected their origins as a religious reform movement, with their rule deeply rooted in Islamic principles.

18. Almohad Dynasty

Coin of Almohad Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusef (1163-1184 CE). MoneyMuseum / Wikimedia Commons

Following the Almoravids, the Almohad dynasty (12th–13th centuries) emerged as a rival Berber dynasty in North Africa. Their name, al-Muwaḥḥidūn (“those who proclaim the oneness of God”), symbolised their religious reforms and strict adherence to monotheism.

19. Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty (960–1279) was named after the city of Songzhou, where its founder, Emperor Taizu, began consolidating his rule before unifying China. The name “Song” symbolised the dynasty’s connection to this formative region, tying its identity to the geographical and political foundations of its rise.

20. Valois Dynasty

Effigy of Charles of Valois, Basilica of Saint-Denis – Wikimedia Commons

The Valois dynasty, which ruled France from 1328 to 1589, took its name from the county of Valois. This region was granted to Charles of Valois, the son of King Philip III, whose lineage became the basis for the dynasty’s claim to the French throne. This name only began being used in the early modern period after their rule had ended.

Whether coined by historians or derived from their founders, these dynastic names serve as windows into the history and culture of the medieval world. They reflect the legacies of rulers, their ambitions, and the lasting impact of their families on regions that continue to shape history today