In recent weeks, genealogical research has captured widespread attention, particularly after a viral list of 35 surnames revealed potential familial links to the British Royal Family. That revelation sparked curiosity across the internet, prompting thousands to explore their own ancestral backgrounds in search of connections to historic figures, famous artists, renowned scientists—or even world leaders.
But one potential discovery might come as a surprise: a familial tie to Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States. Whether admired for his bold approach to leadership or scrutinized for his polarizing policies and historic criminal conviction while in office, Trump remains a dominant figure on the global stage. Now, researchers suggest that if your last name falls within a specific lineage, you might just share more than political opinions with the former president—you might share blood.
Two surnames in particular—Drumpf and MacLeod—have been identified as ancestral names connected directly to Trump’s heritage, providing a fascinating glimpse into his European roots.
The Drumpf Line: From Bavaria to the Bronx
The surname Drumpf may sound unfamiliar, but it holds deep historical ties to the Trump family. Dating back to the 16th century, Drumpf has long been a common surname in Germany. It was the name used by Trump’s paternal ancestors, including his grandfather, Friedrich Drumpf, who was born in 1869 in the village of Kallstadt, then part of the Kingdom of Bavaria.
At just 16 years old, Friedrich left Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1885. Like many ambitious immigrants of his time, he sought fortune and opportunity in the expanding American frontier. After spending time in Seattle, he ventured to the Yukon during the Gold Rush, where he built his wealth by operating a hotel, restaurant, and brothel catering to miners.
Eventually, Friedrich Drumpf anglicized his surname to Frederick Trump, likely to better assimilate into American society. He settled down and passed on the family name to his son, Fred Trump, a successful property developer in New York. Fred would later become the father of Donald Trump.
Despite the name change, the legacy of the Drumpf family remains deeply embedded in Trump’s paternal lineage, offering a direct connection for anyone with the surname or family ties to it. It’s a detail that may surprise some, particularly given Trump’s outspoken stance on immigration and national identity throughout his political career.
The MacLeod Connection: A Scottish Heritage
Trump’s maternal roots paint an equally compelling picture, this time stretching across the Atlantic to the rugged coastlines of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in 1912 in the small village of Tong, located on the Isle of Lewis. In 1930, at just 18 years old, she left Scotland for New York in search of a new life.
Initially working as a domestic servant, Mary Anne later met and married Fred Trump, integrating her Scottish heritage into one of New York’s most prominent real estate families. Despite Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric on immigration, his own family history includes a narrative familiar to millions of Americans: one of transatlantic migration and the pursuit of opportunity.
The surname MacLeod, or its variants such as McLeod, M’Leod, McCloud, and Macleod, remains one of the most recognizable names in Scotland to this day. Genealogical experts believe that many individuals bearing these names may share common ancestry with Mary Anne and, by extension, the Trump family.
Interestingly, Trump has openly embraced this aspect of his heritage. He owns several golf resorts across Scotland, including the famed Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire—business ventures that reflect both personal and familial ties to the region.
A Presidential Legacy Hidden in Your Name?
For those with either the Drumpf or MacLeod surname—or variants thereof—it may be worth delving deeper into your family tree. While the odds of uncovering a direct link to Donald Trump are slim for most, the possibility isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem. Thanks to digital records and ancestry databases, uncovering such connections is more accessible than ever.
What’s more, this revelation adds an ironic twist to Trump’s personal narrative. Despite his nationalist messaging and strong views on immigration policy, his own lineage is steeped in the very traditions of migration and reinvention that have defined the American experience for centuries.
So if your surname is Drumpf, MacLeod, or a similar variation, you might not just be another curious observer of the Trump era—you could be part of the story.
