Like the French royal Capetian dynasty, the Elder Babenbergs likely descended from the Robertians. The earliest known Babenberg, Count Poppo I of Grapfeld, was first mentioned in 819 as a ruler in the gau of Grabfeld, a historic region in northeastern Franconia bordering on Thuringia. He may have been a descendant of the Robertian Count Cancor of Hesbaye.
Like the French royal Capetian dynasty, the Elder Babenbergs likely descended from the Robertians. The earliest known Babenberg, Count Poppo I of Grapfeld was first mentioned in 819 as a ruler in the gau of Grabfeld a historic region in northeastern Franconia bordering on Thuringia. He may have been a descendant of the Robertian Count Cancor of Hesbaye.