Donald Trump’s Genealogy from Modern Times to AntiquityDocumented Lineage to Medieval Royalty

Donald John Trump (born 1946) was born in Queens, New York, the son of real-estate developer Frederick “Fred” Christ Trump (1905–1999) and Mary Anne MacLeod (1912–2000)​

Mary Anne MacLeod’s great-grandmother Isabella Munro (b. *c.*1660) was the daughter of Rev. Hugh Munro of Durness (1608–1698) and Hon. Anna Mackay​

Multiple lines of evidence confirm Trump’s medieval royal ancestry. For example, a study by an Icelandic genealogist traced Trump’s lineage to King Christian I of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (1426–1481) and his daughter Margaret of Denmark​

Building on the well-substantiated medieval genealogy, some researchers have attempted to extend Donald Trump’s lineage even further—into antiquity. These speculative genealogies connect medieval European royal lines to classical antiquity by way of noble intermarriages and ancient family claims. One such reconstruction links Trump’s Scottish ancestral line back to the late Roman Empire​

It is important to note that these connections to antiquity are largely speculative and rely on legend, inference, and the medieval penchant for crafting ancestral links to antiquity. Medieval chroniclers often claimed that noble houses descended from Trojan War heroes or Roman leaders as a way to legitimize their status. Likewise, the above-described lineage—from Rome to the Franks to Britain—should be viewed as a conjectural narrative rather than proven fact. Nonetheless, the inclusion of classical figures like Marcus Aurelius and Arrius Piso in Trump’s extended family tree is a fascinating illustration of the idea of translatio imperii, the transfer of empire, in genealogical form. It symbolically connects the 45th U.S. President to the rulers of Rome, the kings of medieval Europe, and the mythic founders of European civilization. As one commentator puts it, “Arrius Calpurnius Piso, a major figure in ancient history, was an ancestor of Donald J. Trump”​

Beyond the literal bloodlines, Donald Trump’s connection to historical lineage can be explored through symbols and motifs. Throughout history, ruling dynasties and empires have shared common heraldic symbols and insignia that project authority. A prime example is the eagle, long a symbol of imperial power. The eagle was the iconic standard of ancient Rome, representing Jupiter’s bird and the might of the legions​

Trump has embraced and manipulated such symbolism in his own branding and political imagery. Notably, Trump adopted a coat of arms featuring an eagle for his personal and business use. When he acquired a Scottish golf resort, he effectively appropriated the previous owner’s heraldic arms, replacing the original Latin motto “Integritas” with his family name “Trump,” and prominently using a double-headed eagle in the design​

Trump’s political themes and leadership style have frequently invited comparison with historical figures known by the moniker “the Great.” While the circumstances differ vastly, there are intriguing parallels in how these leaders project strength, invoke greatness, and engage with their legacies:

• Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) – Trump himself has expressed admiration for Alexander of Macedon. He even named the most expensive suite in one of his hotels the “Alexander the Great Suite.” When asked why, Trump answered, “Because he’s the best, and it’s the best”​

• Frederick the Great (1712–1786) – The Prussian king Frederick II earned the epithet “the Great” by transforming Prussia into a major European power through military victories, state reforms, and a carefully crafted image as an enlightened absolutist. Trump’s leadership style shares some