Demidov

Genealogy

Demidov (Demidoff):  ДEMИДОB

The Demidov family rose to fame and fortune through its involvement with mineralogy. By the 18th century it has become one of the wealthiest families in the Russian Empire which led to the granting of the rank of nobility to Nikita Demidov by Peter I on 21 September 1720 for his" faithful service and especially in his diligent zeal in the production of copper an iron works^."1 To confirm the rank of nobility, his sons, Akinfy, Grigori and Nikita were granted a diploma on March 24, 1726.

When Paul I came to create the Russian Grand Priory in 1799, he made  Nikolai Nikitich, grandson of Akinfy Nikitich, one of the first Family Commanders. Nikolai's direct line came to an end with Elim Pavlovich, Prince of San Donato (1868-1943). Elim was survived for a few months by his brother, Anatoly Pavlovich, who died without male heirs. In his will dated 5 January 1942, Elim by-passed his brother Anatoly and left his Italian title of Prince of San Donato to Alexander Pavlovich Demidov (left) subject to approval by the King of Italy, which however was not granted.

No hard evidence exists so far on precisely how the title of Hereditary Commander passed from Elim to Pavel Alexandrovich.

The facts we do have are the following:

1. Paul Alexandrovich appears on the 1913/14 edition of the Almanach de St Petersburg as commandant héréditaire de l'Ordre de Malte (p.178).

2. He attended the meeting of Hereditary Commanders held in Paris in June 1928.

3. His son Paul Pavlovich (right) was confirmed as Hereditary Commander on 14 April 1958 by the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich in his role of Protector of the Union des Descendants des Commandeurs Héréditaire et Chevaliers du Grand Prieuré Russe.

One theory is that a close relationship existed between the two cousins which is suggested by the will. The fact that the Hereditary Commandership is not mentioned in the will could indicate that Elim had already passed on the title to Paul in his lifetime, possibly with imperial sanction as the 1913/14 Almanach appears to confirm.

The present Hereditary Commander, Alexander Pavlovich Demidov resides in France. 

Notes:

1. Mandrich, Donald R. & Placek, Joseph A.: Russian Heraldry and Nobility, p.249

Sources:

Ferrand, Jacques: Les Familles Princières de l'Ancien Empire de Russie Recueil Généalogique, 2ème édition [Paris 1998]

Mandrich, Donald R. & Placek, Joseph A.: Russian Heraldry and Nobility [Dramco Publishers, Boynton Beach, Florida 1992]

Marek, Miroslav: GENEALOGY.EU   - http://genealogy.euweb.cz/

Rietstap, J.B.: ARMORIAL GÉNÉRAL [2éme ed., G.B van Goor Zonen, Gouda 1884]

Shamà, Davide  and Dominici Battelli, Andrea: GENEALOGIE DELLE DINASTIE ITALIANE - http://www.sardimpex.com

Theroff, Paul: An Online Gotha

Tissot-Demidoff, Alexandre: Demidoff family Documents