After the rule of Alexandru I Aldea (ended in 1436), the house was split by the conflict between the Dănești and the Drăculești, both of which claimed legitimacy.

[2] The origin of the family is highly disputed, with theories suggesting either a Vlach,[3][4][5][6][7][8] or Romanianized Cuman[9][10][11] background.

[12] The name Basarab is of Cuman or Pecheneg Turkic origin and most likely meant "conquering or reigning father"; Bas was the present participle of the verb "to rule", while the second part is believed to derive from the honorary title -aba "father", recognizable in many Cuman names, such as Terteroba, Arslanapa, and Ursoba.

[12][2] Basarab's baptismal name was most likely "Ioan" or "Ivanco", as noted in the preface to the Dušan Code and other Serbian and Bulgarian documents.

[3][4][5][6][7] The following genealogical tree is a simplified version, meant to show the ruling princes, their documented brothers and sisters, and the spouses/extramarital liaisons of those who had ruling heirs, following the conventions: The Basarab name is the origin of several place names, including the region of Bessarabia (today part of Moldova and Ukraine) and a few towns, such as Basarabi in Romania, Basarabeasca in the Republic of Moldova, and Basarbovo in Bulgaria.