Theotokis family


The Theotokis family, in Italian and older English literature Theotochi or Teotochi, is a Greek aristocratic family from Corfu.

History

The family are an old landowning family in Corfu, Greece, several members of which have been prominent politicians. They originally hailed from Constantinople, whence they fled following its fall to the Ottomans, eventually settling in Corfu. The painter El Greco was descended from a branch of the same family that fled to Crete. The Corfiote branch was ennobled by the Republic of Venice and was entered in the Libro d'Oro; they used to be commonly referred to as Counts, but their titles lapsed when the Ionian Islands became part of the Kingdom of Greece, which did not recognise noble titles.
As the family prospered, nicknames were devised to distinguish between the various male-line Theotokis. The Greek genealogist distinguished the following branches:
  • The Calocardarei or Spilia, from a quarter of the city of Corfu where they resided. Its members bore the title of count.
  • The Stathachi or del Santo, due to the proximity of their residence to the church of Corfu's patron, Saint Spyridon. Its members bore the title of baron.
  • The Sclebuni
  • The Zammarco, from Saint Mark, the patron of Venice.
  • The D'Aviazzo or Politikoí, who became a distinguished political dynasty in Greece.
  • The Andrucelli. Its members bore the title of count.

Notable members

''Calocardarei'' branch

This branch received the title of count in the primogeniture by Charles III Ferdinand, Duke of Mantua. On 10 October 1796, the Doge of Venice, Ludovico Manin extended the title to all members of the family.
  • Alexander Theotokis, soldier, fought in the Siege of Corfu (1537), taken captive by the Ottomans until ransomed in 1573, later provedditore in Venetian service.
  • Nicholas Theotokis, son of George, nephew of the above, Venetian governor of Parga in 1591
  • Nicholas Theotokis, son of Mark, grandson of the above, as reward for his service during the War of Candia, in 1699 his descendants received the title of count.
  • Count George Theotokis, soldier and statesman, son of the above, fought at the Siege of Corfu (1716) with his brothers Mark and Giambattista.
  • Count Nicholas-Alvise Theotokis, son of the above, ambassador to Venice from 1746
  • Count Spyridon Georgios Theotokis, son of the above, president of the Ionian Senate and head of state of the Septinsular Republic with the title of Prince
  • * Countess Isabella Teotochi Albrizzi, daughter of Anthony, niece of the above, writer and art lover, held a notable literary salon at Venice
  • * Count Alvise Theotokis, brother of the previous
  • ** Count Mark-Alvise Theotokis, son of Spyridon, grandson of the above, historian and director of the Senate archives at Corfu
  • ***, son of the above, writer of the Heptanese School.
  • *** Dimitrios Theotokis, brother of the above, officer, fought in the Asia Minor Campaign as commander of the Independent Division.
  • *** Spyridon Theotokis, brother of the above, historian, director of the Senate archives at Corfu and of the Archives of Venice

''Stathachi'' branch

This branch received the title of baron in primogeniture by Napoleon I on 7 February 1812

''D'Aviazzo'' branch