

The term royal bloodline has different meanings depending on the context. Formally, it refers to a direct male-line descendant of a monarch. On the other hand, the broader meaning encompasses anyone with an ancestor that comes from their line.
If you’re intrigued by the possibility of a hidden crown lurking in your family tree, let’s explore the likelihood of such a discovery and equip you with the steps and resources to investigate.
» Uncover a connection to a royal bloodline with a family history search
Difference between royalty and nobility
Not everyone will discover a royal connection in their family tree. They may instead find their ancestor belonged to the nobility, a term that overlaps with but isn’t interchangeable with “royal bloodline.”
Both phrases refer to people of high-ranking social class in a country that has had some form of monarchical government. But, a royal bloodline is the ruling family led by kings and queens, while nobility may involve dukes and barons who serve them.
History has myriad examples of this relationship. Plantagenet kings established families like the Dukes of Lancaster and York. These nobles were crucial in starting the War of the Roses, a series of conflicts in which each family vied for control of the English throne.
While the British Royal Family is a well-known example, there are instances where power dynamics differ. In Feudal Japan, the shoguns — military leaders — held more authority than emperors. Nonetheless, they kept them as figureheads for religious purposes.
» Find out how the 30 Years War changed European demographics
Uncovering a royal bloodline in your family tree
1. Find your starting point
The first step in searching for royal connections in your family tree is to identify your starting point. Ask yourself: which of my lines has the potential to intersect with a royal or even noble?
Once you’ve chosen one to begin with, verify each generation between you and your furthest confirmed ancestor along the line. You should gather any existing information you can find on each person, like birth certificates, census records, or marriage licenses.
Now, with a solid foundation built, revisit your starting point. This time, delve deeper into the life of your furthest confirmed ancestor. Gather as much data as possible about them, including details about their siblings. They may be a clue that solidifies the connection.
» Discover how you relate to your most recent ancestor
2. Gather historical records
As you trace your royal ancestor’s history, gather relevant historical records. The type of document you’ll need depends on the period. In the U.S., census records, marriage licenses, and birth and death certificates have been common resources for the past 150 years or so. For earlier periods, look for wills and baptismal and military records.
» Learn how to research military records
3. Research heraldry
After delving into historical records, it’s time to explore another valuable source of information. Heraldry and coats of arms are unique identifiers of royal families and individuals, each with different colors, symbols, and designs.
These clues tell us much about the status, alliances, and achievements of their owners. That’s why you should research their meaning, specifically their period and country of origin. Knowing them helps you interpret relevant clues you may find.
But even with your newfound knowledge, you might get stuck. That’s when you should consider joining genealogical societies or forums dedicated to researching royal bloodlines. Consulting with experts in the field can also be valuable. Whatever your choice, prepare a list of questions you want answered before reaching out to reduce back-and-forth communication.
Keep a research journal or organized notes to document your findings. Remember, you’re likely building a case based on multiple pieces of evidence.
» Join the MyHeritage wiki forum and connect with other researchers
4. Look into marriage records
Many people forget to check marriage records when researching royalty in their family tree. In the past, matrimony was a tool for gaining political or financial power.
Royals often married strategically into other families for financial or political gain. These outsiders brought in through marriage had their surnames passed down through male lines. Over generations, these descendants might lose track of their royal connection.
Another possibility is that a royal ancestor — prince or princess — had an extramarital affair, passing down royal lineage to your otherwise ordinary family line.
Whatever the case is, you might be able to find a connection to a royal bloodline by verifying indirect evidence. To do that, carefully cross-reference historical records, family heraldry, and marriage patterns. Online platforms like MyHeritage can be an excellent resource for it.
How to supplement your research with DNA testing
1. Understand the different DNA tests
Analyzing, isolating, and tracing DNA can confirm or deny connections you make with traditional research methods. It may also point your research in the right direction.
To use it, you first need to understand the primary testing methods:
- Y-DNA: This approach is one of the two used to trace distant genetic relationships. It traces the Y chromosome (paternal lineage) back through the male line.
- Autosomal DNA: With this method, you can trace more recent paternal and maternal relationships. It’s useful for finding distant cousins who share your interest in family history and origins, but it’s not going to help prove your connection to a royal ancestor.
» Learn how MyHeritage helped uncover Helen Mirren’s link to Golda Meir
2. Choose your test and wait for results
You need to choose where you’ll do the test. An online platform like MyHeritage can send you a DNA test kit that you can use to collect, analyze, and store the sample from the comfort of your home.
Once you’ve bought it, select the tests you want to do, send us your sample, and wait for the results. After about three to four weeks, you’ll get an abundance of information to help you solidify your connection, or at least point you where you need to look.
3. Compare the results
Once you have your DNA test results, compare them to those of known royal descendants. You may find connections when you cross-reference your Y-DNA or haplogroup segments with theirs. If you do find potential matches, remember that the work isn’t over. DNA tells you the research is worth doing, but you must still do it.
Return to traditional research and flesh out the leads by ensuring you have solid documentation connecting each generation as you move further back in time. When you get back as far as you can, remember to use every record at your disposal to examine the evidence from a variety of angles.
» Learn more about first cousins once removed
Why you shouldn’t overly rely on DNA results
King Richard III was found under a parking lot in Leicester, England, in September 2012. The site turned out to be the former site of the church at Greyfriars. Researchers used mtDNA to trace the three known descendants of Richard’s sister, Anne of York, one of whom was Prince Philip.
The king’s DNA identification had some problems. The Y-DNA didn’t match living relatives as expected. To explain this, experts suggested that someone in the family tree wasn’t the real father of their child. Plus, the people tested weren’t direct descendants of Richard III but rather distant relatives who should have shared his segments.
» Find out more about paternity tests
Despite the issue, experts still believe they found Richard III. Why? Because they didn’t just use DNA. They also looked at:
- Where the bones were found
- How old the bones were
- What the skeleton looked like
- Battle injuries on the bones
- Old written records
So, even though the DNA result was confusing, all the other evidence pointed to these as Richard III’s remains. The problem illustrates why you should always supplement your traditional research methods with genetic testing.
» Learn to interpret DNA matches
Tracing royal bloodlines: Challenges
The further back you go in history, the more difficult it is to find reliable records to verify connecting generations. But, tracing royal ancestors comes with additional challenges. The closer you come to a match, the greater the chance that you might find your access restricted to archives, which could provide your next best clue.
An excellent way to make the most of your royal connections is to reach out to others who have the same interests. Find forums, genealogical societies, and other communities that can provide insight into interpreting every aspect of your research.
You can also consult or hire an expert to help you. In addition to their extensive experience, they may know how to access resources that might otherwise be restricted to you.
Beyond king and kin: Building a strong family tree
Unraveling your ancestry can be a fascinating process, whether it traces back to a king or a cobbler. This exploration can lead to unexpected discoveries about the lives and stories of those who came before you.
Unfortunately, the desire to find royal ancestry has led some genealogists to fabricate lineages or rely on untrustworthy sources. This isn’t a new phenomenon, and it highlights the importance of careful investigation and meticulous documentation for each generation in your family tree.
To help you with your research, MyHeritage can give you access to numerous historical documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, which have been scanned and indexed for easier searching. With reliable primary sources, you can verify information and trace your lineage through generations.