Turkish and Ottoman Nobility and Royalty

The Turkish Nobility was a very powerful, ancient and international social
class that helped the sultans rule the Ottoman Empire for nearly five
centuries, from 1453 till 1918.

Origins of the Turkish Nobility and Royalty

The legendary origin of the dynastic royal family of Turkey, the Osmanlis,
goes back to one of grandsons of Noah, named Oghuz, originator of the Oghuz
tribe in Central Asia. The first Turkish monarch was Osman I Han Gazi, of
the Kayi kinfolk, in the Oghuz clan, in the late 13th century. His heirs
were able to transform their lands into a prevailing multinational empire,
climaxing in Constantinople’s downfall in 1453 and the subsequent
annexation of the Byzantine Empire. Afterwards, the Turkish sultans
occupied Egypt, Syria, the Balkans, and parts of Hungary. They also
subjugated Crimea, Mecca and reigned over Algiers and Baghdad. They even
surrounded Vienna, without success, in 1529 and 1683. Decay started in the
17th and 18th centuries when joint European forces took over large
territories in the Hapsburg and Russian empires. In the 19th century,
Greece, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Northern Africa were able to secure
their independence or to seek protection from European powers. The last
step was the separation of most of the Arab lands as a result of World War
I. The sultanate was abolished in 1922 by the current Republic of Turkey.

Complete Honours, Titles and Styles of the Sultan of Turkey

His Imperial Majesty, Head of the Dynasty, Sovereign of The Osman Family,
Sultan es Selatin (Sultan of Sultans), Khakhan (Khan of the Khans), Caliph
of the Faithful, Servant of the Cities of Mecca, Medina and Kouds
(Jerusalem), Padishas of The Three Cities of Istanbul (Constantinople),
Edirne (Andrinople) and Bursa (Brousse), and of the Cities of Châm
(Damascus) and Misr (Egypt), of all Azerbaijan, of Maegris (in Ethiopia),
of Barkah, of Kairouan, of Alep, of Iraq, of Arabia and of Ajim, of Basra,
of El Hasa, of Dilen, of Raka, of Mosul, of Parthia, of Diyarbakir, of
Cilicia, of the Vilayets of Erzurum, of Sivas, of Adana, of Karaman, of
Van, of Barbaria, of Habech (Abyssinia), of Tunisia, of Tyrabolos
(Tripoli), of Châm (Damascus), of Kybris (Cyprus), of Rhodes, of Candia, of
the Vilayet of Morea (Peloponnese), of Ak Deniz (Marmara Sea), of Kara
Deniz (Black Sea), of Anatolia, of Rumelia (the European part of the
Empire), of Bagdad, of Kurdistan, of Greece, of Turkestan, of Tartary, of
Circassia, of the two regions of Kabarda, of Gorjestan, of the plain of
Kypshak, of the whole country of the Tartars, of Kefa and of all the
neighbouring countries, of Bosnia and dependencies, of the City of
Belgrade, of the Vilayet of Serf (Serbia), with all the castles and cities,
of all the Arnaut Vilayet (Albania), of all Iflak and Bogdania, as well as
all the dependencies and borders, and many others countries and cities.

APPENDIX OF TURKISH AND OTTOMAN TITLES OF NOBILITY

Aga
: Commander, post-title given to senior officers of the Army and of the
Imperial Household

Bey
: 200 years ago, equivalent to Lord: today, equivalent to Mr

Bey Efendi, Bey Effendi
: post-title of the Damad, husband of daughters of HIM (hereafter Bey
Efendi)

Beylerbey:
literally, Lord of Lords, title given to the ruler of a great province

Beyzade:
son of a Bey

Damad:
literally son in law, title of the son in law of HIM, or of the Head of the
Imperial Family, if married during the latters’ reign (in modern Turk,
Damat)

Efendi, Effendi
: literally master, owner, post-title in the Imperial Family and for
dignitaries (hereafter Efendi)

Emir ül Muminin
: Commander of the Faithful

Gözde:
literally, noticed (by the eye of the Emperor). Refers to ladies of the
Harem who were not official wives (Kadin Efendi) or official regular
favourites (Ikbal, Ikhal Efendi)

Hâdim ül Haremeyn ish Sherifeyn
: Protector of the Two Holy Cities (Mecca and Medina), a title awarded to
Selim I by the Sherif of Mecca

Hân:
post-qualification, literally sovereign, ruler, translated sometimes as His
Imperial Majesty (HIM)

Hanim:
200 years ago, equivalent to Lady, a qualification given originally in the
16th century to Pcesses from the Byzantium Empire and from Kingdoms in
Anatolia who did marry the Sultan, to make a distinction between them and
the slave wives of the Sultan. The word Hanim comes from Hatun (or Khatun)
that is still translated in modern Turkish as Mrs.

Hanim Efendi:
post-title of the wives of the sons and male descendants of HIM

Hanim Sultan
: post-title of the daughter of daughters of HIM and of sons and male
descendants of HIM (translated as Pcess)

Haseki Kadin Efendi:
post-title of the mother of HIM’s daughter

Hazretleri:
post-qualification translated as His Highness (HH)

I without dot: rendered as I

Ikbal, Ikhal:
literally fortunate, refers to official favourites of HIM

Ikbal, Ikhal
Efendi: post-title of an official favourite of HIM

Mushir:
Marshall

…li, …lu:
post-name attached to place names, it indicates the town of origin of a
person

Padishah:
Padishah (“pâdshâh” in Persian) is the correct translation for Emperor
(short form of pâdshâh-e ‘âlam, “Emperor of the World”). This title was
next to Shâhanshâh (“King of Kings” or Supreme King) and Shâh-e bozorg
(Great King), traditionally the title of all Persian monarchs since Kyros
II The Great. Later the Moghuls and Ottomans adopted the title of Padishah,
as well, because Persian was the official court language in Dehli and
Istanbul (thanks for this to Amirzadeh Arian Kazem Khan Zarrinkafsch
Zarrinnaal, of the Mirs and Schahzadehgi Zarrinkafsch of Sinneh in Iran)

Pasha:
personal nobility title awarded to high ranking military and civil
dignitaries

Pashazade:
son of a Pasha

Shehzade:
title of sons and male descendants of HIM

Sultan:
post-title of daughters of HIM and of sons and male descendants of HIM

Sultan Han
: HIM The Sultan

Sultanzade: title of sons of daughters of HIM and of daughters of sons and
male descendants of HIM

Vali:
The title Vali is also Persian, meaning “governor-general” of an important
province, comparable with the European margrave. Thus, Vilayat means
“rulership”, “realm” or “province” of this person. In Iran until the 20th
century. The provinces called “Vilayat” only were several of the large main
regions like Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Fars, Eraq, Gilan and Khorasan. Now the
term is in use not for a regional province anymore, but for an
administrative province. Turkey also adopted this administrative system
(thanks to Amirzadeh Arian Kazem Khan Zarrinkafsch Zarrinnaal, of the Mirs
and Schahzadehgi Zarrinkafsch of Sinneh in Iran).

Valide Sultan:
mother of HIM , equivalent to Queen Mother

Veliaht:
Crown Prince (see above, Qualifications and Titles, Heir)

Vezir:
Minister

Vezir I Azam:
Grand Vizir (equivalent to Prime Minister)

THE TURKISH CONCEPT OF PERSONAL NOBILITY

It is difficult to refer to the Nobility of Turkey in the Western European
understanding of the word (ie honorary titles conferred hereditarily) since
most of the titles were personal, according to the function held in the
Empire.

Out of the Imperial Family, the only titles transmitted to the next
generation are the custom to call Shehzade (translated as Pce) the male
descendants of HIM, Sultanzade (translated as Pce) the sons of a Sultan(a),
Pashazade the sons of a Pasha and Beyzade the sons of a Bey.

The nobility titles were based on merit, hence not inherited by their
descendants. The title of Pasha when a military title, as in the Western
world, was not transmitted to descendants. The title of Pasha when a civil
title awarded to high ranking civil servants like ministers, governors,
etc., as in the Western world, was not transmitted to descendants.

This does not mean that these titles were not held within the same family
for several generations, but if so, only on a personal basis.

The qualification of Highness (HH) was awarded to the grandchildren of HIM,
to the Grand Vizier (equivalent today to Prime Minister), the Sheyh ül
Islam (equivalent today to Highest Judge) and the chief of the eunuchs
(Highness until 1909, an office equivalent somewhat today to Minister of
the Palace).

The title of Pasha was awarded to the titulars of the office of Vizier
(equivalent today to Minister), of Mushir (Marshall), of Ferik and of Liva
(Generals) and of Beylerbey (Governor).

The title of Bey was awarded to the son of the Pasha who wore this title
with the title of Pashazade, to the Miralai (Colonel) and to the Kaymakam
(Lt Colonel), as well as to numerous civil servants. The title of

Bey is somewhat equivalent to the title of Lord in the UK, which is not
always transferable.

The Constitution of 10/1/1945 prohibits the use of nobility titles in
Turkey

Surnames of the Ottoman and Turkish Nobility and Aristocracy

A: Abaza, Abrahim (Royal Family of Egypt), Abdül Kader, Abul Huda, Adra,
Ahmad Rachid, Aktürel, Alpan, Andelib, Andersson, De Andria, Aribas, Arif
(Pasha), D’Arocada, Asim, Atiye

B: Baba Saoui, Banbury, Baransel, Baris, Barnard, Bau, Baykara, Baykent,
Becan, Beggin, Behcet, Beillet Le Béhérec, El Bekri, Bengü, Benli, Berger,
Bergeron, Berna, de Bertier de Sauvigny (French nobility), Bey, Beykent,
Bingham, Bird, Bitar, Blum, Bogaievsky (Russian nobility), Bory, Bouton,
Braatz, Brankovic (Kings of Serbia), Britt, Bursali

C: Caracciolo (Italian nobility), Cavidan, Cavit (Bey), Cem, Cemil,
Chadiyé, Chafik (Bey), Chardy, Chauvel, Chavanne, Christoforides,
Chubukchu, Ciernoski, Clay, Conopio, de Cornulier Lucinière (French
nobility), Crété

D: Daoud, Daver, Davies, Daws, Demirel, Dervis (Pasha), Destaviz, Deveci,
Dilara, Dilbestan, Dilnigar, Dimitrov, Djem, Dogan, Dömeke, Douglas
(Marquess of Queensberry), Dreyfus, Dummit, Dürrühsehvar

E: Eginli, Eid, Eldem, Elsibai, Enver (Pasha), Ertugrul, Esin (Pashazade),
Ethem (Pasha), Evliyazade, Eyüb (Pasha)

F: Fadl, Fahmy, Fakhreddine, Fakhri, Faour, Fattal, Fazil (Royal Family of
Egypt), Felek, Fenarizade, Fessard, Feuillette, Firtina, Fournier

G: Germann, Germiyanoglu (Pashazade), Ghazi (Bey), Ghiringhelli, Giraudy,
Giraudy Osman, Granzow, Gülnev

H: Habjouga, Hainneville, Hajjar, Hakki (Pasha), Halabi, Halim (Royal
Family of Egypt), Halim Turkhan, Harb, Hashem, Hassan, Hayri, Henry,
Hertog, El Hibri, Hidayet, Hilmi (Royal Family of Egypt), Hoddo, Hodo,
Hüseyin, Hussein (Royal Family of Egypt), Royal Family of Hyderabad

I: Ibrahim (Royal Family of Egypt), Ilhami (Royal Family of Egypt), Imer,
Imrie, Ingiliz, Iotti, Iris, Iskodralizade (Bey), Ismet

J: Jackson, Jarallah, Jarves, Royal Family of Jordan, Jour

K: Kabbara, Kader, Kadir, Kamil, Kapraun, Karacehennem, Karacehennemzade,
Karam, Karime, Karimeh, Kefeli (Crimean nobility), Kenan, Khairy, Khoury,
Kilichlioglu, Killigil (Bey), Kirdar, Korle, Koteiche, Raja Family of
Kotwara, Kowalski, Küchük, Kunter

L-M: Lavigne, Lewis, Maddox, Maillot, Mangos, Martinez, Masri, Mauvezin,
Mayatepek, Mehouas, Mercen, Monla, de Montozon de Leguilhac (French
nobility), Moran, Mosselmans, Münire

N: El Naggar, Naim, Nami (Bey), Nami-Conopio, Nami Osmanoglu, Nami Ragot,
Namouk, Namouk Banbury, Nuri

O: Öcal, Okday (Pasha, Bey), Örfi, Orhan, Osman, Osman (Royal Family of
Egypt), Osmanoglu, Osmansoy, Ossmann, Oytan, Özbas

P: Pahlavi (Imperial Family of Iran), Palay, Pappadopoulos, de la Poer
Horsley-Beresford (Bon Decies), Pope, Posse (Count), Purrett

R: Rachid, Ragab, Ragot, Ramadan (Bey), Raouf (Pasha), Rauf, Rateb, Ratib
(Bey), Reda, Rehm, Rifat (Pasha), Robert, Rodosizade, Rogers-Tillstone,
Rosenberg, Rushdi, Ruyinaz

S: Saad, Saadeddin, Saadeddine, Al Sabah (Royal Family of Kuwait),
Sadikoglu, Sadiye, Saide, Saltik, Sami (Pasha), Samy, Schicho, Schlang,
Schnelle, Schüttfort, Sebai, Seçkin, Seifoulline, Semahat,

Sergy, Sertek, Sezadil, Shafiq (Bey), Shefik, Sherif (Bey), Shevki, Shirin,
Shükrü (Pasha), Sibai, Smaïdi, Sokollu, Sokolluzade, Starosselsky (Georgian
nobility), Stolypine (Russian nobility), Süe, Sutton

T: Tabbikha, Tanyeri, Tarman, Tarzi (Royal Family of Afghanistan),
Tarziter, Tcherkess (Bey), Tengler, Tevfik, Tolestoa, Toptani, Torunoglu,
Toudic, Tschumi, Turan, Turner, Twerskoy

U-W: Ünlüsoy, Uralman, Ürgüp, Westrich, Wolkonsky (Prince)

Y-Z: Yegen, Zaki, Zatigül, Zeinoun, Ziya, Zoghbi, Zogu (Royal Family of
Albania)