Branković (Serbian pronunciation: [brǎːnkɔv̞itɕ], Serbian: Бранковићи/Brankovići) was a Serbian medieval noble family and dynasty. According to genealogies created in the first half of the 15th century, the family descend via female line through marriage from the Nemanjić dynasty. The family rose to prominence during the fall of the Serbian Empire. The original family domains were centred on Kosovo. Later family members extended their rule over all remaining unconquered regions of Serbia making them the last sovereign rulers of medieval Serbian state. The dynasty ruled the Serbian Despotate from 1427 to 1459, and their descendants continued to claim the throne of Serbia well into the 16th century, having entered the ranks of the Hungarian aristocracy.