Sharvashidze Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

The Princely Dynasty of the Sharvashidze/Shervashidze family has been a part of the history of Georgia since 1124 C.E. According to one version of our family history, (Based on oral tradition) the Sharvashidze’s were descendants of the Kasranid Dynasty of the Shirvanshahs (Only living descendants of the House of Shirvanshahs) who became the Dukes of Abkhazia under David IV “the builder” of Georgia. For centuries the Sharvashidze/Shervashidze family  guarded and protected the Dukedom of Abkhazia and then in the 16th century the independent Principality of Abkhazia and the Kingdom of Georgia from foreign invaders, however, in 1864 the Russian Empire nullified and canceled the Principality of Abkhazia. Following this nullification, the members of the Sharvashidze/Shervashidze family were awarded titles of  Prince/Knyaz in the Russian Empire but were prohibited from governing and protecting Abkhazia and the Abkhazian people.

Prior to the red revolution, the members of the Sharvashidze/Shervashidze Dynasty had close ties with European Royal Families, specifically those of the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Monaco, and e.t.c. The members of the Sharvashidze Dynasty were often awarded supreme orders from many European nations, and even from those of Asia. A prominent representative of the Sharvashidze Dynasty, George Sharvashidze (Son of Dimitri) maintained close ties with the King of England Edward VII and was an honorable guest on the coronation of King George V. In 1908 George Sharvashidze was awarded the Royal Victorian Order (Big Cross).

Today one of the representatives of the Sharvashidze/Shervashidze Dynasty, Nikoloz (“Nicolas”) Sharvashidze is a prominent student at GZAAT (Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi) and is planning to continue his studies in the United States (Most optimistically at Harvard University, or Yale University). Furthermore, Nikoloz is currently writing a book titled “The Lost Georgians”, a chapter by chapter biography of Georgian Émigrés (Largely unknown or forgotten throughout the world) who played significant roles in world history and the history of Georgia, in order to familiarize everyone with the 2000+ year history of the Kingdom of Colchis, Iberia, Georgia and the Principality of Abkhazia.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) In the azure shield there are two gold helmets in the shape of a headdress, often referred to as “pilos” by ancient Greeks, of which each is accompanied by a gold eight-pointed star (which is the sign of the Dioscuri). The shield is crowned with a noble crowned helmet. The Crest: Three ostrich feathers, medium azure, extreme (bright) gold. Shield holders – two gold griffins of the Byzantine type with scarlet eyes and tongues. Basting: azure with gold. The coat of arms is decorated with a princely mantle and crowned with a princely crown.