Clan Rising
York's medieval gate and market, reconstructed as they stood in 1480

Family History

Every surname keeps a record. Find yours.

The meaning of your family name, the region it rose from, the motto your ancestors swore and the people who carried it — 497 families documented, with more of Europe to come.

Start with your family name

Or explore England · Ireland · Scotland · Wales · the full catalogue.

The record

Five doors into your family’s past.

The AtlasEvery surname, mappedTrace any family name to the region it rose from — nation by nation, tile by tile.Open the atlas →
Regency London beneath St Paul's, reconstructed as it stood in 1818Step Into HistoryWalk your ancestors' streetsPhotoreal 360° walks through the towns, castles and ships your family knew — from 1511 Edinburgh to HMS Victory.Start exploring →
A highland castle on its loch as the boats draw inStoriesThe legends the names still carryMassacres, escapes, coronations and betrayals — the documented stories behind the surnames.Read the stories →
A king and queen holding court at the castle gateChampionsThe greatest bearers of each nameKings, inventors, rebels and writers — the people who carried your surname furthest.Meet the champions →
A walled city sprawling beneath its castle rockRankingsThe most powerful clans, rankedEditorial power rankings of sustained political, military and economic power, nation by nation.See the leaderboards →
Banners flying over a hillside fortressThe CatalogueAll 497 families, A to ZThe full record — every documented surname, its motto, its region and its stories.Browse the catalogue →

Is your name missing?

Tell us your family name

Join the founding roll and we'll let you know the moment your surname's record goes live — and you'll have a hand in the shape the clan takes.

Up to two. Pick from the catalogue, type a surname we don't have yet, or choose "I'd rather not say".

I'm interested in