Folkung

right|thumb|Approximate borders of Sweden in the 12th century before the incorporation of Finland during the 13th century. Blue and yellow represents the [[Geats (from Götaland) and Suiones (from Svealand) tribes; their previous unification marks the consolidation of Sweden (in one commonly held view).]] In modern Swedish, Folkung has two meanings, which appear to be opposites: The medieval "House of Bjälbo" in Sweden, which produced several Swedish statesmen and kings. A group of people (singular Folkunge, plural Folkungar), who were at times in political opposition to the same House of Bjälbo. This "political party" fought for the ancient right of free men to elect the kings in Sweden.

Until the 17th century, Folkunge was used only with the second meaning. However, many of these political opponents were also said to have been descendants of Jarl Folke the Fat (from the House of Bjälbo), who lived before the family became royal. Hence, in the 17th century, the whole family, then already extinct and without any established name, became known as the House of Folkung (Folkungaätten in Swedish).