Noble surnames of Russia. List of Russian Noble Surnames

Since ancient times, the surname could change a person's life, she carried in herself the whole history of the family and gave many privileges. People spent a lot of energy and finances on having a good title, and sometimes sacrificed their lives for this. For a common citizen of Tsarist Russia it was almost impossible to get on the list of nobles.

Types of titles

Titles in tsarist Russia were many, each of them had its own history and carried its own possibilities. All noble families followed the family tree and very carefully selected couples for their families. The marriage of two noble families was, rather, a calculated calculation, rather than a love relationship. Russian noble families kept together and did not allow members of their families without a title.

Among such genera could be:

1. Princes.
2. Counts.
3. Barons.
4. Kings.
5. Dukes.
6. Awnings.

Each of these genera had its own history and led its own family tree. Categorically forbidden nobleman to create a family with a commoner. Thus, it was almost impossible for an ordinary ordinary resident of Tsarist Russia to become a nobleman, except for very great achievements before the country.

Princes Rurikovichi

Princes - one of the highest noble titles. Members of such a family have always had many lands, finances and slaves. It was a great honor for a representative of the family to be at court and to help the ruler. Having shown himself, a member of the princely family could become a trusted special ruler. Famous noble families of Russia in most cases had a princely title. But the titles could be divided according to the methods of obtaining them.

One of the most famous princely surnames of Russia was the Rurikovichi. List of noble families begins with it. Rurikovichi - natives of Ukraine and descendants of the Grand Duke of Great Russia Igor. The roots of many European rulers come from the Rurik dynasty. This is a strong dynasty, which brought to the world many famous rulers who for a long time were in power throughout Europe. But a number of historical events that occurred in those times, divided the family into many branches. Russian noble families such as Potocki, Peremyshlsky, Chernigov, Ryazan, Galicia, Smolensk, Yaroslavl, Rostov, Belozersk, Suzdal, Smolensk, Moscow, Tver, Starodub belong to the Rurikovich family.

Other princely titles

In addition to the descendants of the Rurikovich family, the noble families of Russia can be such as the Otyayevs. This clan got its title due to the good warrior Khvostov, who had the nickname Otyai in the army, and is from the year 1549.

Offrosmovs are an example of strong will and a great desire to achieve the goal. The founder of the clan was a strong and courageous warrior.

Pogozhevy came from Lithuania. Obtaining the princely title of the founder of the family helped oratory and the ability to conduct military negotiations.

The list of noble families also includes Pozharsky, Polevye, Pronchishchev, Protopopov, Tolstoy, Uvarov.

Graphic titles

But surnames of noble origin are not only princes. Also, a high title and authority at the court had count's dynasties. This title was also considered very high and gave a lot of authority.

Get the title of the Count - it was a great achievement for any member of the royal society. This title in the first place gave the opportunity to have power and to be closer to the ruling dynasty. Noble surnames of Russia in the most part consist of graphs. The easiest way to achieve this title was in conducting successful military operations.

One such name is Sheremetyev. This is a family of Counts, which exists in our time. Army General Boris Sheremetyev received this title for his achievements in conducting military operations and serving the royal family.

Ivan Golovkin - the ancestor of another family name of noble origin. According to many sources, it is the Count of the Roman Empire, which appeared in Russia after the wedding of his only daughter. One of the few count families, which ended on a single representative of the dynasty.

Minich's noble family had many branches, and the main reason for this was in a large number of women of this genus. In the marriage of a woman, Milich took a double surname and mixed titles.

Many count's titles were given to the court during the reign of Catherine Petrovna. She was a very generous queen and awarded titles to many of her commanders. Thanks to her in the list of nobles appeared such names as: Efimovsky, Gendrikov, Chernyshev, Razumovsky, Ushakov and many others.

Barons at Court

Famous noble families also had many bearers of baron's titles. Among them there are clan families and granted barons. To get this, like all the other titles, it was possible with good service to the royal family. And, of course, the easiest and most effective way was to conduct military operations for the homeland.

This title was very popular in the Middle Ages. The generic title could be received by rich families who sponsored the royal family. This title appeared in the fifteenth century in Germany and, like everything new, gained great popularity. The royal family practically sold it to all rich families who had the opportunity to help and sponsor all the royal undertakings.

To approach the rich genera, Peter the First introduced a new title - the baron. One of the first owners of this title was the banker de Smith. Thanks to the banking and trade business, this family earned its finances and was elevated by Peter to the rank of barons.

Russian noble family with the title of baron also replenished with the surname Friedricks. Like De Smith, Yuri Fridriks was a good banker, who lived and worked for a long time at the royal court. Born in a titled family, Yuri, also received the title under Tsarist Russia.

In addition, there were a number of names with the title of Baron, information about which was stored in military documents. These are warriors who earned their titles by actively participating in military operations. Thus, the noble family of Russia was enlarged by such members as Baron Plotto, Baron von Rummel, Baron von Malam, Baron Ustinov and the family of the brothers Baron Schmidt. Most of them came from European countries and came to Russia for work.

Royal families

But not only titled families are on the list of noble families. Russian noble families for many years headed the royal families.

One of the most ancient royal families of Russia was the Godunovs. This is the royal family, which for many years was in power. The first of this family was the tsarina Godunova, who formally ruled the country for only a few days. She refused the throne, and decided to spend her life in a monastery.

The next, no less famous surname of the royal Russian family is the Shuiskys. This dynasty spent a little time in power, but was included in the list of noble families of Russia.

The great queen of Skavronska, better known as Catherine the First, also became the founder of the royal family dynasty. Do not forget about such a royal dynasty as Biron.

Dukes at Court

The noble families of Russia also have the title of Dukes. Get the title of the Duke was not so easy. In general, these families were very rich and ancient families of tsarist Russia.

The owner of the title of duke in Russia was the family of Chertozhansky. The genus existed for many centuries and was engaged in agriculture. It was a very rich family, which had many lands.

Duke of Nesvizh - the founder of the eponymous city of Nesvizh. There are many versions of the origin of this family. The Duke was a great connoisseur of art. Its castles were the most remarkable and beautiful buildings of that time. Owning large lands, the duke had the opportunity to help tsarist Russia.

Menshikov is another of the famous ducal family names in Russia. Menshikov was not just a duke, he was a famous military leader, army general and governor of Petersburg. His title received for the achievement and service of the royal crown.

Marquis title

The title of the Marquis in tsarist Russia was mainly received by wealthy families of foreign origin. It was an opportunity to add foreign capital to the country. One of the most famous names was Traversi. This is an ancient French family, whose representatives were at the royal court.

Among the Italian marquises was the genus of Paululci. After receiving the title of Marquise, the family remained in the territory of Russia. Another Italian family received the title of Marquis at the royal court of Russia - Albizzi. This is one of the richest Tuscan genera. They earned all their incomes on entrepreneurial activity in the manufacture of fabrics.

Value and title privileges

For the courtiers, the title had many opportunities and wealth. When the title was received, it often brought with it generous gifts from the crown. Often such gifts were lands and riches. Such gifts the royal family gave for special achievements.

For wealthy families who earned their wealth on the generous Russian land, it was very important to have a good title, for this they funded the tsar's undertakings than bought their family a high title and good attitude. In addition, only titled families could be close to the royal family and participate in the government of the country.