 The Palaiologoi's many marriages with prominent Byzantine families was reflected in their choice of surnames, with earlier members of the imperial dynasty using the surnames of several of the previous ruling dynasties to reinforce their legitimacy.For instance, Michael VIII Palaiologos's full name was "Michael Komnenos Doukas Angelos Palaiologos".Michael Palaiologos, born in 1223, was the son of Andronikos Palaiologos, "megas domestikos" in the Empire of Nicaea.