The Rurik dynasty was a noble lineage founded by Prince Rurik around the year 862. They were the ruling dynasty of Kievan Rus’, after the conquest of Kiev by Oleg of Novgorod in 882. The empire fell apart in the middle of the 13th century. They also ruled the successors Rus' principalities and Rus' prince republicans.

Grand Duchy of Moscow was the most powerful state after the breakup of Kievan Rus’. Together with the Novgorod Republic, it formed the basis of the modern Russian nation (2022). Ivan III or Ivan the Great reigned as “Prince of all Rus’”. Ivan IV or Ivan the Terrible took the title "Tsar of all Rus’". He turned the empire into the tsardom of Russia. The Rurik dynasty ruled until 1598, after which the House of Romanov succeeded them.

The Romanovichi branch of the dynasty ruled in southern Rus' and part of central Rus'. Roman the Great united these territories. His son was crowned King of Galicia-Volhynia by Pope Innocent IV in 1253. Poland and Lithuania then annexed the principality. The title of prince passed to the ruler of Austria-Hungary. According to Ukrainian historiography, the continued sovereignty of the Rurik dynasty from the 9th to 14th centuries represents part of Ukraine's historical process.

As a ruling dynasty, the Rurik dynasty persisted in some parts of Rus' for a total of 21 generations in the male line, from Rurik (died 879) to Feodor I of Russia (died 1598). A period spanning more than 700 years, they are one of Europe's oldest royal houses.