Carolingians

or Carlovingians, a royal house of Europe. The name is derived from the Latin word Carolus, or Charles, and may be regarded as based on Charles Martel or on his grandson, Carolus Magnus, better known as Charlemagne. There were several branches. Carolingians ruled in France 752-987; in Italy, 774-961; and in Germany, 752-911. Charlemagne was the greatest of the family. Louis, "the Child," was the last of the German Carolingians. Louis V was the last of the family to sit on the throne of France.