Myths and Tales form Greece and Romania May 2012 | Page 107

Historically, the name "Dracula" is the given name of Vlad Ṭepeș'
family, a name derived from a secret fraternal order of knights called
the Order of the Dragon, founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg (king of
Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Holy Roman Emperor) to uphold
Christianity and defend the Empire against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad II
Dracul, father of Vlad III, was admitted to the order around 1431
because of his bravery in fighting the Turks and was dubbed Dracul
(Dragon) thus his son became Dracula (son of the dragon). From 1431
onward, Vlad II wore the emblem of the order and later, as ruler of
Wallachia, his coinage bore the dragon symbol.