If my last name is Bruce does that mean im a descendant of Robert the Bruce?

The surname Bruce predates Robert the Bruce since the earliest Bruces in Scotland arrived shortly after the Norman Conquest--the family name itself comes from Old French and means "brushwood" or "thicket". Robert the Bruce had only one legitimate son, David II, who left behind no heirs. His daughter by his first marriage, married Walter Stewart. Her son, Robert II, succeeded David II, and his descendants became the Stewart (or Stuart) kings of Scotland and later England.

Robert the Bruce, however, sired three illegitimate sons whom he acknowledged: Sir Robert, Walter, and Niall. Even so, you would probably first need to prove a connection to Andrew Bruce, the 37 Earl of Elgin and Kincardine and Laird of the Bruce clan, in order to establish any claim of direct descent from Robert the Bruce if you can't also claim descent directly through the House of Stuart, which is probably easier to trace. Please note that claims of Scottish medieval ancestry are almost impossible to prove unless traced through rare documentation.

Perhaps 200 million people could claim descent from Robert the Bruce if they chose to trace their lineage, according to various authorities. After all, he sired 12 illegitimate children. I'd estimate that most of Scotland (about 5 million people) and most of the Scottish diaspora can claim such ancestry.

Meaning Of The Name Bruce

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RE:

If my last name is Bruce does that mean im a descendant of Robert the Bruce?

Robert Bruce is one of the most well known and probably the greatest Scottish Kings

No, not necessarily.

I'm a Bruce (that's what the B stands for) but my Dad traced our family history back to the mid 1800s where the family name was actually changed for political reasons- before that the surname Bruce wasn't even in our family. So we're not descended from Robert or Robbie the Bruce after all.

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Well it looks like a couple of idiots gave Evelyn thumbs down. However, she is probably the most scholarly person on this board regarding Scottish history and genealogy. Take her answer seriously.

Although it is possible, it's certainly doesn't mean you definatly are a descendant of his!

The only way you can find out for sure is if you trace your family tree!

My surname is Savage, but it doesn't mean I'm related to Lily!! Try not to be so Naive!

you are so silly! maybe you are a descendant of robert bruce!

Why not look up you're genealogy? I found out that my last name is actually royalty from this crazy lady in the Swarovoski store in Rockefeller.

You could be. Is your family background Scottish?