Georgian Nobility in the Russian Empire

With the annexation of the Kingdom of Georgia in 1801, Emperor Paul I Petrovich recognized the following families of the former Kingdom of Georgia as princes of the Russian Empire. Many of these former Georgian Thavadebi (princes) remained in Georgia and ignored Russian styles and usage, but many moved to Russia intermarrying with other important noble families of the Russian Empire, creating a rich and interconnected Russo-Georgian nobility. The following are the names of Georgian princes whose titles were confirmed for use in Russia in 1801. The Russian Nobility Association in America welcomes anyone of Georgian descent who may prove that their family was listed in the Books of the Nobility of the Russian Imperial Senate between 1801 and 1917:

Abamelek
Abashidze
Abkhazi
Agiashvili
Akhvlediani
Amatuni
Amilakhvari
Amirejibi
Anchabadze
Andronikashvili
Apakidze
Arghutashvili (Mkhargrdzeli-Argutashvili, Argutinsky-Dolgorukov)
Asatiani
Asikhmovanov (Osikhmovani)
Avalishvili
Babadishvili
Bagrationi-Davitishvili
Bagration-Mukhraneli
Baratashvili
Bebutov (Bebutashvili)
Begtabegishvili
Chaabalyrkhva
Chavchavadze
Cherkezishvili
Chichua
Chijavadze
Chikovani
Chkheidze
Chkhotua
Cholokashvili
Dadiani
Dadishkeliani
Davidov-Bagration
Dgebuadze
Diasamidze
Dziapsh-Ipa (Zepishvili)
Emukhvari
Eristavi of Aragvi
Eristavi of Guria
Eristavi of Ksani
Eristavi of Racha
Gardapkhadze
Gelovani
Gobitashvili
Goshadze
Gruzinsky
Gugunava
Guramishvili
Gurgenidze
Gurieli
Gurji-Revazishvili
Iaralishvili
Iashvili
Inal-Ipa (Inalishvili)
Iotamishvili
Jaiani
Jambakuriani
Jambakur-Orbeliani
Jandieri
Japaridze
Jaqeli
Javakhishvili
Jorjadze
Kavkasidze
Kashibadze
Kherkheulidze
Khidirbegishvili
Khimshiashvili
Khojaminasishvili
Kobulashvili
Kochakidze
Lionidze
Lortkipanidze
Machabeli
Machutadze
Magalashvili
Makashvili
Maksimenishvili
Manvelishvili
Marshania
Melikishvili
Mikadze
Mikeladze
Mkhargrdzeli
Mkheidze
Mkhetsia
Nakashidze
Nizharadze
Orbeliani
Pagava
Palavandishvili
Pavlenishvili
Pkheidze
Qaralashvili
Qipiani
Ratishvili
Robitashvili
Rusishvili
Saakadze
Saginashvili
Sologashvili
Shalikashvili
Sharvashidze (Shervashidze)
Shelia
Sidamon-Eristavi (Sidamonidze, Sidomonishvili)
Sologashvili
Sumbatashvili
Taktakishvili
Tarkhnishvili (Tarkhan-Mouravi)
Tavdgiridze
Tsereteli
Tsitsishvili
Tsulukidze
Tumanishvili
Turkestanishvili
Tusishvili
Vachnadze
Vakhvakhishvili
Vezirishvili
Zurabishvili

GEORGIAN NOBILITY BEFORE ANNEXATION:

Georgian geographer, historian and cartographer Vakhushti Batonishvili near the year 1745 completed his unique work, which he titled: “Description of the Georgian Kingdom”. The work comprised the unique facts about history of Georgia and geography from old times to the middle of XVIII century. This work provides us with one of the few relatively complete modern works on the very ancient nobility of the Kingdoms of Georgia.

Before its annexation by the Russian Empire in 1801, when a certain number of Georgian Princely families’ titles were confirmed for use within the Russian Empire, the Georgian nobility was divided into two distinct orders: the heads of clans, feudal in nature were called Thavadebi (princes), and the lower order of feudal noblility, which were known as Aznauri (lesser or petty nobility).

The Royal Court and the nobility of the Kingdom of Georgia was organized with a very specific order of precedence, based on military organization. The armyw as divided into “banners” (Drosha), each under the command of one of the Grandees of the First Class.

These Grandees were sovereign princes, each in their own domain, but owing complete allegiance to the King. Until the annexation by Russia, the order of precedence was as follows:

• 1) H.M. The Most High King.
• 2) Princes of the Blood (batonishvili).
• 3) Great Officers of State:
  • a) Patriarch-Catholicos.
  • b) Chief Secretary (Mtsignobarth-Ukhutsesi).
  • c) Lord High Steward (Mandaturth-Ukhutsesi).
  • d) Lord High Constable (Amir-Spasalari).
  • e) Lord High Treasurer (Medchurchleth-Ukhutsesi).
  • f) Lord Great Chamberlain (Msakhurth-Ukhutsesi).
  • g) Grand Armourer (Meahjret-Ukhutsesi).
• 4) Grandees of the first class (Sul-didibuli-tavadi) of the Kingdom of Kartli, commanders of banners (drosha):
  • a) Prince of Mukhrani (Mukhrani-batoni), head of the house of Bagrationi-Mukhrani.
  • b) Duke of Aragvi (Aragvi-eristavi), head of the house of Sidamoni, until annexation in 1743-see below.
  • c) Duke of Ksani (Ksani-eristavi).
  • d) the Amir-Akhori, Prince of Samilakhoro, head of the house of Zedginidze.
  • e) Prince of Sabaratiano, head of the house of Orbeliani (Orbeliani-tavadi).
  • f) Prince of Satsitsiano, head of the house of Tsitsishvili (Panaskerteli) (Tsitsishvili-tavadi).
  • g) the Malik of Somkheti (Somkheti-meliki).
• 5) Grandees of the first class of the Kingdom of Kakheti:
  • a) Prince of Sacholokao, head of the house of Irubakidze Cholokashvili (Cholokashvili-tavadi). Copyright ©Christopher Buyers
  • b) Prince of Sandroniko, head of the house of Andronikashvili (Andronikashvili-tavadi), descendants of the Emperors of Trebizond.
  • c) Prince of Sabashidzo, head of the Kakhetian branch of the Abashidze (Abashidze-tavadi).
• 6) Grandees of the second class (mtavari) of the Kingdom of Kartli:
  • Grandees under the Prince of Mukhrani:
    • i) head of the Kartlian branch of the Abashidze family.
    • ii) head of the house of Yothamishvili.
    • iii) Prince of Sapalavando, head of the house of Palavandishvili.
    • iv) Prince of Sachkheidze, head of the house of Chkheidze.
    • v) Prince of Sakerkeulidzo, head of the house of Kerkeulidze.
    • vi) head of the house of Taktakishvili.
    • vii) head of the house of Bebutashvili.
  • b) Grandees under the Prince of Sabaratiano:
    • i) the Malik of Lori, head of the house of Melikishvili.
    • ii) head of the Kartlian branch of the house of Avalishvili.
    • iii) head of the house of Iaralishvili.
    • iv) head of the house of Begtabegishvili.
    • v) head of the house of Gurjirevazishvili.
    • vi) head of the house of Dolenjishvili.
    • vii) head of the house of Vazirishvili.
  • c) Grandees under the Duke of Ksani:
    • i) Prince of Zemo Sabaratiano, head of the house of Baratishvili.
    • ii) Prince of Samachablo, head of the house of Machabeli.
    • iii) Prince of Sadiasamidzo, head of the house of Diasmidze.
    • iv) Prince of Sasolaghashvilo, head of the house of Solaghashvili.
    • v) Prince of Sargutashvilo, head of the house of Argutashvili.
    • vi) Prince of Sasumagishvilo, head of the house of Surmagishvili. Copyright ©Christopher Buyers
  • d) Grandees under the Amir-Akhor:
    • i) Prince of Sadavitishvilo, head of the house of Davitishvili (Bagratide collaterals).
    • ii) Prince of Sajavakho, head of the house of Javakishvili.
    • iii) head of the house of Pawlenishvili.
    • iv) head of the house of Kadir Beg (Kadirbegishvili).
    • v) Prince of Satumanishvilo, head of the house of Tumanishvili.
    • vi) Prince of Saratishvilo, head of the house of Ratishvili.
    • vii) Prince of Samaghaladzo/Samaghalashvilo, head of the house of Maghaladze/Maghalashvili.
  • e) Grandees under the Prince of Satsitsiano:
    • i) head of the house of Abashishvili.
    • ii) the Tarkhan-Muravi (the Grand Muravi), head of the house of Saakadze.
    • iii) head of the house of Zurabishvili.
    • iv) the Amir-Ejib, Prince of Samirejibo, the head of the house of Kakhaberidze-Chijavadze.
    • v) Prince of Sashalikashvilo, head of the house of Shalikashvili.
    • vi) Prince of Sacharvchavadzo, head of the house of Charvachidze. Copyright ©Christopher Buyers
• 7) Grandees of the second class (mtavari) of the Kingdom of Kakheti:
  • a) Grandees under the Prince of Sacholokao:
    • i) Prince of Sajorjadzo, head of the house of Jorjadze.
    • ii) Prince of Samaqao, head of the house of Maqashvili.
    • iii) head of the house of Sidamoni, after annexation of Aragvi in 1743.
    • iv) head of the house of Kutzishvili.
    • v) head of the house of Gurginidze.
    • vi) head of the house of Sahinashvili.
    • vii) head of the house of Kimshiashvili.
  • b) Grandees under the Prince of Sandroniko:
    • i) Prince of Savajnadzo, head of the house of Vajanadze.
    • ii) Prince of Saruzishvilo, head of the house of Ruzishvili.
    • iii) the Cherkez-batoni, head of the house of Cherkezi.
    • iv) Prince of Saguramo, head of the house of Guramishvili.
    • v) Prince of Sakvabulidzo, head of the house of Kvabulidze (Kobulashvili).
    • vi) Prince Abkhazi, head of the Kakhetian branch of the Shervashidze family.
    • vii) head of the house of Robita.
  • c) Grandees under the Prince of Sabashidzo.
    • i) Princes of Sachavchavadzo, head of the house of Chavchavadze. Copyright ©Christopher Buyers
    • ii) Prince of Savakvako, head of the house of Vakvakashvili.
    • iii) head of the house of Jandieri.
    • iv) head of the Kakhetian branch of the house of Avalishvili.
    • v) head of the house of Karalashvili.
    • vi) head of the house of Babadibishvili.
    • vii) head of the house of Lionidze.
• 8) Junior members (tavadishvili) of the families of the grandees of the first class (Sul-didibuli-tavadi).
• 9) Bishops of the Georgan Orthodox Church.
• 10) Grandees of the third class (tavadi).
• 11) Junior members (mtavarishvili) of the families of the princes of the second class (mtavari).
• 12) Archimandrites of the Georgan Orthodox Church.
• 13) Untitled nobility:
  • a) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the King.
  • b) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Patriarch-Catholicos.
  • c) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Eristav of Ksani.
  • d) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Zemo Sabaratiano.
  • e) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Samachablo.
  • f) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Sadiasamidzo. Copyright ©Christopher Buyers
  • g) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Satsitsiano.
  • h) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Tarkhan-Muravi.
  • i) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Amir-Ejibi.
  • j) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Amir-Akhori.
  • k) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni of Samthavro, Samreclo and Sakothakheo.
  • l) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Sadavitishvilo.
  • m) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Prince of Sajavakho.
  • n) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Pawlenishvili.
  • o) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Kadirbegishvili.
  • p) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Mukhrani-batoni.
  • q) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Abashidze.
  • r) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Princes of Sapalavando.
  • s) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Princes of Sachkheidzo.
  • t) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Princes of Sakerkeulidzo.
  • u) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Taktakishvili.
  • v) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Jambakurian-Orbeliani.
  • w) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Malik of Somkethi.
  • x) Heads of the Aznauri-did-didni families dependent on the Avalishvili.
  • y) Junior members of the Aznauri-did-didni families of Kakheti.
  • z) Abbots of the Georgan Orthodox Church.
  • aa) Junior members of the families of the Aznauri-did-didni.
  • bb) Heads of the merchant guilds.
  • cc) Aznauri mtsireni.
  • dd) Junior members of the merchant guilds.

Styles of the Ranks:

Great Officers of State and the Grandees of the first class (Sul-didibuli-tavadi):
The Pious Prince of High Rank (given name) (family name)-tavadi, with the style of His Splendour.

Grandees of the second class (mtavari):
The Most Excellent (given name) (family name)-mtavari.

Grandees of the third class (tavadi):
The Brilliant (given name) (family name)-tavadi.

The sons of princes (mtavari and tavadi):
(given name) (family name)-tavadishvili.

Nobles (aznauri):
The Noble (given name) (family name)-aznauri.

Gentlemen:
The Honourable (given name) (family name).

SUGGESTED SITES ON THE GEORGIAN NOBILITY:

The site of Mr. Christopher Buyers is the best of all sites available in English for information on the Georgian Royal Houses, and the Georgian Nobility:

For information on the Bagrationi Dynasty:

http://www.royalark.net/Georgia/georgia.htm

For information on the Nobility of Georgia:

http://www.royalark.net/Georgia/nobility.htm

SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE GEORGIAN NOBILITY

Bagrationi, Vakhushti Description of Kingdom of Georgia, its habits and canons, (აღწერა სამეფოსა საქართველოსა, ზნენი და ჩვეულებანი საქართველოსანი). Moscow, 1745 (cf. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-2/description-of-georgian-kingdom-and-the-geographical-atlas-of-vakhushti-bagrationi/ )

Salia (Kalistrat). Histoire de la nation géorgienne. Paris, 1983. [History of Georgia]

Saposhnikov (Sergei Alekseevich). Shevchenko, Blarambergi i Mavromikhali. Moscow, 1999.

Spisok kniaz’iam i dvorianam Gruzii. [St. Petersburg ?], 1851.

Spisok kniaz’iam i dvorianam Gurii. [St. Petersburg ?], 1851.

Spisok kniaz’iam i dvorianam Imeretii. [St. Petersburg ?], 1851.

Tchumburidze, Z., Q. Chkhatarashvili, “The noble families of Guria”, Tbilisi 1993;

Tchumburidze, Z., “The noble families of Imerethi”, Tbilisi 1999.

“The nobles of Qarthli-Kakhethi”, Tbilisi 2005; Central State Historic Archive of Georgia, collection 213, v. 1, files 2128, 2128a; collection 214, v. 1, file 3337; Quthaisi Central State Archive, collection 1, file 7784.

Toumanoff (Prince Cyrille). Les dynasties de la Caucasie chrétienne de l’Antiquité jusqu’au XIXe siècle, tables généalogiques et chronoligiques. Rome, 1990.

Toumanoff (Prince Cyrille). Les maisons princières géorgiennes de l’Empire de Russie. Rome, 1983.