Royal Names
Particular families might be descended from a royal figure, either the monarch or a member of his or her family. Such families might carry a name taken from that particular royal ancestor, or they might be described by a prefix such as Fitzroy, Fitzherbert, etc. In Celtic culture, all children were legitimate, but in an increasingly Christian culture, only those born in wedlock were considered legitimate. However, when tracing royal descent, both legitimate and illegitimate lines must be considered.
