Levan Beraia (born September 3, 1960, Senaki, Georgia) is a Georgian agricultural engineer, genealogist, historian of Georgian family names, heraldist, publicist, television presenter, and researcher of historical genealogy. He serves as Head of the Genealogical Research Collegium of the Royal Club of Georgia and is a member of the Collegium of Symbolism and Heraldry of the Royal Club of Georgia.

Early Life and Education

In the early 1960s, his family moved to the historic town of Mtskheta, where he spent his childhood and completed his secondary education. In 1977, he graduated from Mtskheta First Secondary School.

That same year, he began working as a laboratory assistant at the Georgian Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, where he gained his first experience in scientific research and experimental work.

Speleological Research

Beginning in 1980, together with his colleagues David Beraia, Valiko Rukhadze, and Gocha Maghradze, he established a speleological research group dedicated to the exploration and documentation of artificial cave complexes throughout Georgia. The group conducted numerous field expeditions, documenting and studying a considerable number of man-made caves and underground structures.

Academic Qualifications

In 1992, Beraia graduated from the Georgian Agrarian University, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, earning the professional qualification of Agricultural Engineer.

Early Historical Interests

During the early 1980s, he served as an altar server at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Sioni under the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Although his interest in Georgian history and genealogy had begun earlier, his systematic research into the history of Georgian noble families dates back to 1978, when he commenced the study of noble and aristocratic lineages. This field gradually became the principal focus of his scholarly career.

Scientific and Engineering Career

Beginning in 1992, Beraia devoted his professional activity to food technology and industrial innovation.

In the same year, he obtained a Georgian patent entitled "Method for Producing Milk from Soybeans," which became one of the pioneering technological developments in the production of soy-based food products in Georgia.

In 1993, under his supervision, a large-scale public presentation and tasting event introduced approximately forty different soy-based food products, demonstrating innovative applications of soybean processing technology.

Between 1994 and 1997, together with his colleagues, he developed and patented eight technological inventions in the food industry. These inventions were registered by the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti) and subsequently introduced into industrial production.

Among these innovations were technologies for the manufacture of:

Entrepreneurial Activity

In 1996, together with his associates, he co-founded Agroconsortium Tserovani Ltd., where he served as Deputy Director.

The company specialized in dairy production and the implementation of innovative technologies in the Georgian food-processing industry.

Scholarly Research

Although Levan Beraia initially pursued a career in agricultural engineering and food technology, historical research gradually became the central focus of his professional life.

For more than four decades, he has conducted extensive research into the history, genealogy, geographical distribution, and historical development of Georgian family names.

Over the course of his research, he has investigated approximately 4,000 Georgian surnames, utilizing archival documents preserved in the National Archives of Georgia, historical manuscripts, ecclesiastical records, census materials, royal charters, court documents, genealogical sources, and an extensive body of scholarly literature.

His methodology is based upon the critical analysis and comparative examination of primary historical sources.

Publications

In 2006, he published his first scholarly monograph,

"The Noble and Aristocratic Families of Georgia,"

which consolidated historical information on Georgia's aristocratic families and attracted considerable attention from historians and genealogical researchers.

In 2017, he published a substantially expanded second monograph,

"Descriptions of Georgian Noble and Aristocratic Families,"

which systematically presents historical information concerning numerous Georgian princely and noble lineages.

The work is widely regarded as one of the most significant reference publications devoted to Georgian noble genealogy.

In addition to his printed works, Beraia has authored numerous electronic monographs, including:

and numerous other genealogical studies.

These publications are based upon many years of archival research and aim to reconstruct the historical development of Georgian family lineages.

Scholarly Articles

Levan Beraia is the author of approximately 400 scholarly articles and research papers.

His principal fields of research include:

Editorial Activity

In 2001, Agroconsortium Tserovani Ltd. revived the agricultural journal Gutnis Deda ("Mother of the Plough"), which was published monthly for two years.

Beraia was a co-founder of the journal, served on its editorial board, and actively participated in developing its editorial concept and scientific direction.

Public Activities

Levan Beraia currently serves as:

He has also participated in the establishment of several scientific and commercial organizations, including:

Television and Public Outreach

As part of his efforts to popularize Georgian history, genealogy, and heraldry, Beraia is actively involved in television broadcasting.

He is the creator and host of two original television programs produced by Royal Club TV:

Through these programs, he introduces a broad audience to Georgian historical families, genealogy, heraldry, monarchical traditions, and the historical heritage of Georgian statehood.

Legacy

Levan Beraia's professional career represents the successful combination of scientific innovation in agricultural engineering and historical scholarship.

Through decades of archival research, numerous scholarly publications, public lectures, and media activities, he has made a substantial contribution to the study, preservation, and popularization of Georgia's historical genealogy, noble family traditions, heraldry, and national historical heritage.