TheHouse of Japaridze (Georgian:ჯაფარიძე) is an ancientGeorgian noble family, originated in theDuchy of Racha, known from c. 1400.[1]
A family legend recorded byPrinceIoann of Georgia in his genealogical treatise holds it that the Japaridze family descended from theMongol ("Chingisid") officer inRacha called Japhar whose scions later converted toGeorgian Orthodox Christianity and wereennobled by theKings of Georgia. They possibly held theDuchy of Racha between the dispossession of theHouse of Kakhaberidze and the establishment of the Charelidze family. The Japaridze family formed several lines: a princely one in theKingdom of Imereti, and a petite noble branches in the kingdoms ofKartli,Kakheti, andImereti.[2]
Under theRussian rule, afterannexation of Georgia, the family was incorporated into theRussian nobility and in 1850 received the hereditary title ofKnyaz in theRussian Empire.[3][4] The title can be inherited only by the legitimate male-line descendants. That means that legitimate male members of the family were entitled to the rank of knyaz, while legitimate female born members were also entitled to the rank ofknyaginya, but without the right to transmit their title to their offspring when they get married.
Current descendants of the family live in Estonia.
 | This article about a member of the Georgian nobility is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |