List of Georgian Nobles
Ancient noble houses
These noble houses of Georgia date back centuries, with many granted titles under the sovereign authority of the Bagrationi dynasty, while others rose to prominence as regional rulers or military leaders. Some governed autonomous principalities, while others served in high-ranking positions within the kingdom, shaping Georgia’s political and cultural legacy.
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Abamelik | A noble family of Armenian origin, integrated into Georgian aristocracy. |
| Abashidze | Prominent political and military figures; produced several rulers of Imereti. |
| Agiashvili | Notable noble house with historical significance in Georgian society. |
| Akhvlediani | Distinguished family known for their contributions to Georgian culture. |
| Amatuni | Of Armenian origin, recognized within the Georgian nobility. |
| Amilakhvari | Influential military leaders; served as commanders in various Georgian kingdoms. |
| Amirejibi | Esteemed family with notable contributions to Georgian literature and arts. |
| Anchabadze | One of the oldest noble families; historically ruled parts of Abkhazia. |
| Andronikashvili | Descendants of Byzantine origin; held significant positions in Georgian history. |
| Apakidze | Noble family known for their service in the military and ecclesiastical sectors. |
| Arghutashvili (Mkhargrdzeli-Argutashvili, Argutinsky-Dolgorukov) | Family of Armenian descent; integrated into Georgian and later Russian nobility. |
| Asatiani | Notable for their roles in Georgian intellectual and cultural life. |
| Asikhmovanov (Osikhmovani) | Recognized noble family with historical significance. |
| Avalishvili | Prominent in political and diplomatic spheres; contributed to Georgian literature. |
| Babadishvili | Noble family with historical roots in Georgian aristocracy. |
| Bagrationi-Davitishvili | Branch of the royal Bagrationi dynasty; influential in Georgian history. |
| Bagration-Mukhraneli | Royal house; Premier noble family; Princes of the blood; a branch of the Bagrationi dynasty from Mukhrani. |
| Baratashvili | Renowned for their literary contributions; notably poet Nikoloz Baratashvili. |
| Bebutov (Bebutashvili) | Family of Armenian origin; served in military roles within Georgia and Russia. |
| Begtabegishvili | Noble family with a history of military service. |
| Bejanidze | Recognized noble house within Georgian aristocracy. |
| Beriashvili | Notable family with historical significance. |
| Chavchavadze | Influential in cultural and political spheres; produced poets and public figures. |
| Cherkezishvili | Noble family with historical roots in Georgian society. |
| Chichua | Recognized for their contributions to Georgian culture. |
| Chijavadze | Notable noble house with historical significance. |
| Chikovani | Ruled the Principality of Mingrelia; later known as the Dadiani family. |
| Chkheidze | Prominent in political and military arenas; notable figure: Noe Chkheidze. |
| Chkhotua | Distinguished family within Georgian nobility. |
| Cholokashvili | Known for their resistance against foreign domination; Kakutsa Cholokashvili was a notable member. |
| Charkviani | Influential in political and cultural spheres; Candide Charkviani was a prominent Soviet-era politician. |
| Chkhetiani | Notable noble family with historical ties to Georgian aristocracy. |
| Dadeshkeliani | Ruled the Principality of Svaneti; one of the last independent rulers before Russian annexation. |
| Dadiani | Powerful ruling family of Mingrelia; exercised near-sovereign control over the region. |
| Eristavi | An ancient noble title meaning “Duke”; various branches held regional authority. |
| Gurieli | Ruling dynasty of Guria; governed as semi-independent princes. |
| Javakhishvili | Produced historians, intellectuals, and statesmen; significant in Georgian cultural history. |
| Orbeliani | A distinguished noble family; known for its scholars, poets, and military leaders. |
| Shervashidze (Chachba) | Rulers of Abkhazia; alternated between Ottoman, Persian, and Russian influence. |
| Tsereteli | One of the most prominent noble families; influential in politics and the arts. |
Titles recognized or granted under Russian protection
During the Russian Empire’s rule over Georgia in the 19th century, several Georgian noble families were officially recognized and integrated into the Russian nobility. These families were often granted titles such as knyaz (prince) or had their existing noble statuses confirmed by imperial decrees. Below is a list of notable Georgian noble houses acknowledged during this period:
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Abashidze | Originally a prominent Georgian noble family, their princely status was confirmed by the Russian Empire on September 20, 1825. |
| Amilakhvari | An influential family known for military leadership; recognized as princes in the Russian nobility. |
| Andronikashvili | Of royal descent, this family was integrated into the Russian noble estate with the princely title. |
| Arghutashvili | Acknowledged as nobles by Russian authorities in the 1840s. |
| Baratashvili | A distinguished family in Georgian history, their noble status was acknowledged by Russian authorities. |
| Bagrationi | The royal house of Georgia, with various branches such as the premier branch of Bagration-Mukhraneli (currently headed by Prince David of Georgia) who were fully recognized as princes of Georgia by Russian authorities and junior branches such as Bagration-Imeretinsky. |
| Dadiani | Rulers of the Principality of Mingrelia; their titles became ceremonial after Russian annexation. |
| Eristavi | Holding the ancient title of “Duke,” various branches were confirmed in their noble status under Russian rule. |
| Gurieli | Former rulers of Guria, their princely titles were acknowledged by the Russian Empire. |
| Javakhishvili | A family recognized as princes in the Russian Empire, notable for contributions to Georgian culture and politics. |
| Orbeliani | A prominent noble family producing scholars and military leaders; their status was confirmed by Russian authorities. |
| Chkhetidze | An ancient family known from the 10th century; granted the title of knyaz in the Russian Empire in 1850 and 1861. |
| Nizharadze | Recognized as princes in the Russian Empire in 1850 and 1862; historically held significant estates in Imereti. |
| Cherkezishvili | Of Circassian origin, settled in Georgia in the 17th century; confirmed as princes (knyaz) by Russian decrees in 1829 and 1850. |
| Asikhmovanov (Osikhmovani) | Descended from the Georgian noble family Tulashvili; elevated to princely dignity and integrated into Russian nobility. |
Titles granted by the House of Bagrationi (after 1810)
| Current holder | Title | Territorial designation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis Rolando Arévalo y Vergara | Baron | de Arévalo y Orbe | Son of 1st Baron de Arevalo y Orbe, Rolando H. Arévalo and Montalván (m. Marcela Leticia Vergara y Robles, Baroness de A y O) |
| Alfredo Escudero y Díaz-Madroñero | Baron | of Santa Maria | See Duke of San Jorge |
| Francisco Manuel de las Heras y Borrero | Baron | Casa de las Heras | Armorial de la Orden del Aaguila de Georgia; d. 2018. |
| Shiv Shankar Nair | Baron | of Vale | Ambassador. |
| W. Nelson | Baron | of San Florian | |
| Alfonso de Ceballos-Escalera y Gila | Count | of Xila | Marqués de la Floresta (Spain) |
| Brady Brim-DeForest | Count | of Petra | Baron of Balvaird (Scot.) |
| Charles Anthony Gauci | Count | of Gauci | Chief Herald of Malta. Doctorate. |
| Dale John Joseph Leppard | Count | of Iyasu Castle | |
| Pedro L. Spuche y Bellod | Count | de Santa Martina | Marquis de Spuche de Lacy (Spain) |
| Fernando Martinez Larranaga | Count | de Agila | Armorial de la Orden del Aaguila de Georgia |
| Alfredo Escudero y Díaz-Madroñero | Duke | of San Jorge / St. George | Spanish insurance broker and tax advisor. President of Spanish Association of Yacht Captains for the Civil Reserve |
| Claus Zangenberg | Duke | of Gardabani | Also 18th Lord Pittenweem (Scot.) |
| Claudio Chaques S. Ramon | Duke | of Ferris | |
| John Sullivan of Braemar | Duke | of Bolnisi | Also Earl of Breadalbane and Lord of Braemar in the Baronage of Scotland |
| William Francis Charnley | Duke | of Aymer | Lawyer; partner at King & Spalding International LLP); Master (2016 – 2017) of the Drapers’ Company |
| Alfredo Escudero y Díaz-Madroñero | Marquis | of Gori | See Duke of San Jorge |
| Knut Jan Canrobert Hartzell | Marquis | de Kodor | |
| David Grabovac | Prince | Hon. Consul of the Bahamas to Australia | |
| Jose Maria Boluda y Sanambrosio | Viscount | of Sanambrosio | |
| Emanuel Kingsley | Viscount | of Fort George | Current Chief Herald of the Royal House. |
| Don Angelo Musa | Count | de Musa | See Baron of Musa |
| Dario Item | Duke | of St. Rosalie | Earl of Rothes (Scot), Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to Spain, the Principality of Monaco, the Principality of Liechtenstein |
| José María de Montells y Galán | Viscount | Portadei | Title probably Viscount Portadei without preposition. Deceased October 17, 2019. Had issue and current holder is likely Rafael de Montells y Pajares (unconfirmed) |
| Marco Garavaglia | Count | Royal Chancellor Secretary | |
| Nicola Franchini | Count | Royal Sumiller de Corps | |
| Ralf Tiesmeier | Duke | Royal Guardian of the Seal | |
| Charles Edward Francis Drake | Count | Royal rector of Georgia, USA | |
| Yoshihiko Okabe | Baron | Royal rector Japan | |
| Alexander Wolfgang Von Wallinger Zu Schoendorff | Baron | Von Wallinger Zu Schoendorff | Royal rector Bosnia & Herzegovina, Dalmatia, and Slavonia |
| Tonis Breidel Hadjidemetriou | Baron | Royal rector, Greece | |
| D. Salvatore Olivari | Count | de la Moneda | Vice Rector for Italy |
| Arturo Maria Cardelus y Muñoz Seca | Count | de Amaya | Rector for Milan |
| Fabio Maximo-Pironti | Count | de Giraldeli | Rector for Rome and Naples |
| P Schneller | Baron | Royal rector, Liechtenstein | |
| Raquel García de Serdio | Baroness | of Casa de Serdio | Vice Rector for Luxembourg |
| Frank Thomas Merten | Baron | Rector for Catalonia | |
| Mary Loly de Ojeda y Gómez | Baroness | de Casa de las Heras | Vice Rector for Belgium |
| Kimon Andreou | Duke (see notes) | The family prefers the traditional Tavadi title, rather than “Duke” |