- published: 12 May 2009
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House of Branković (Serbian pronunciation: [brǎːnkɔv̞itɕ]) or Brankovići was a noble Serbian medieval dynasty. The family descent via female line through marriage from the Royal House of Nemanjić. The families rise to prominence during the time of disintegration of Serbian Empire under the last ruler of House of Nemanjić. The original family domains were centred around Kosovo region, one of the heartlands of medieval Serbian state. Later members of the house extended their rule over all remaining independent regions of Serbia making them the last souvenir rulers of medieval Serbian state. The dynasty ruling over Despotate of Serbia from 1427 to 1459.
Members of this house intermarried with other noble houses from neighbouring countries including Austrian and Hungarian nobility, and providing at least one wife to Ottoman Sultan.
The surname Branković survives today in Serbia, and bearers of this surname can still claim some relation to the noble house with a certain degree of certainty. Especially those living in regions of northern Kosovo.