Mavrokordatos family


The House of Mavrokordatos, variously also Mavrocordato, Mavrocordatos, Mavrocordat, Mavrogordato or Maurogordato, is the name of a family of Phanariot Greeks originally from Chios, in which a branch rose to a princely rank and was distinguished in the history of the Ottoman Empire, Wallachia, Moldavia, and modern Greece.

History

The family was founded by the merchant Nikolaos Mavrokordatos from the island of Chios. They rose through the ranks of the Nobility of Chios and were given the title of Count of the [Holy Roman Empire] by Leopold I, [Holy Roman Emperor], in 1699. Later they became Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia. In 1875 the Mavrocordatoi were also recognized as List of [Russian princely families|Princes of the Russian Empire] by Alexander [II of Russia|Emperor Alexander II of Russia].

Notable members