Mavromichalis

The Mavromichalis (Greek: Μαυρομιχάλης) family is a prominent clan from Mani Peninsula, which played a major role in modern Greek history.

According to the Maniot tradition, confirmed by the May 31, 1870 epitaph of Anastasios-Petros Mavromichalis (which may be found in the Metropolis of Athens), the first members of the clan were refugees from the community of Kardias in Eastern Thrace who escaping from the Turkish attacks in 1452, resettled in Western Mani.

The name "Mavromichalis" is said to derive from an orphan male youngster named Michalis, since all orphan youngsters were called "mavros" which means "black" because of using dark clothes for mourning, so from this "mavro" Michalis future generations bore the name of "Mavromichalis" which simply means "Black Michael" but signifying "Michael the orphan".

Initially they established in Alica, but due to blood feuds and conflicts they moved to Tsimova in the eastern part of the Messenian Gulf and from there to their final destination in the seaside village of Limeni where they made their stronghold. After fortifying the village they took advantage of the port taxations during the Venetian domination which eventually arranged their land's virtual autocephaly.

The first renowned Mavromichalis leader is the 18th. descendant of the orphan boy, who was named Georgios Mavromichalis and was the hegemon of a rebellion that took place in the Peloponnesus sponsored by Count Orlov during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. Together with his sons Ilias-Pierros Mavromichalis and Ioannis "Skylogiannis" Mavromichalis he guided the warlike Maniots to events of glory defeating the Turks and Albanian allies.

...
Wikipedia