Xiphilinus

Xiphilinus was a Byzantine family name. The family was from Trebizond and was considered of lowly origin. In the 11th and 12th centuries members were found mainly in the church and the bureaucracy in Constantinople and Thessaloniki. They were intellectuals rather than soldiers. They declined in importance after the sack of Constantinople in 1204.
Known Xiphilini include:

Bardas Xiphilinos, strategetes of Thessaloniki
John Xiphilinos, judge, became Patriarch John VIII of Constantinople
Michael Xiphilinos, brother of John VIII
Constantine Xiphilinos, droungarios tes viglas
John Xiphilinos the Younger, epitomator of Cassius Dio
John Xiphilinos, vestarches
Nicholas Xiphilinos, protovestes
Niketas Xiphilinos, apographeus of Boleron
Euthymios Xiphilinos, monk and copyist
Niketas Xiphilinos, judge and quaestor
Donatos Xiphilinos, judge
George Xiphilinos, became Patriarch George II of Constantinople
Theodore Xiphilinos, chartophylax of the Great Church in exile

John VIII was probably a brother of Bardas. He was born in Trebizond and his rise to the patriarchate helped establish the family in Constantinople. Constantine and John VIII were friends of Michael Psellos. John VIII and his nephew, John the Younger, both left writings.