Princely houses of Poland and Lithuania

Therefore, the title of prince either dated to the times before the Union of Lublin, which created the Commonwealth in 1569, or was granted to some nobles (usually magnates) by foreign kings.

Due to the longstanding history of common statehood, some noble families often described as "Polish" actually originated in Grand Duchy of Lithuania and are of Lithuanian or Ruthenian descent.

Their progenitor, the semi-legendary Piast the Wheelwright, son of Chościsko, came from Gniezno.

Princely (grand ducal) roots of this family are older, but only connected with Lithuania.

The dynasty takes its name from Władysław II Jagiełło who was the Grand Duke of Lithuania between 1377–1434 and then alongside his wife queen regnant Jadwiga of Poland (reign 1384–1399) became king of Poland between 1386 and 1434.