''Noyan'' (pl. noyad), or ''Toyon'', was a

Central Asian Central Asia is a region of Asia consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The countries as a group are also colloquially referred to as the "-stans" as all have names ending with the Persian language, Pers ...

title of authority which was used to refer to civil-military leaders of noble ancestry in the Central Asian Khanates with origins in ''Noyon'', which was used as a title of authority in the Chagatai Khanate of the

Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire was the List of largest empires, largest contiguous empire in human history, history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Euro ...

. In modern times, Noyan is used as a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

in Asia meaning "the lord", "the prince", "the protector", "the commander-in-chief".

Pre-Genghisid period

Initially, Noyan was a title for chieftains of Mongolian nomad communities.

Mongol Empire and successor states

Under

Genghis Khan Genghis Khan (born Temüjin; August 1227), also known as Chinggis Khan, was the founder and first khan (title), khan of the Mongol Empire. After spending most of his life uniting the Mongols, Mongol tribes, he launched Mongol invasions and ...

the term "''Noyon"'' applied to leaders of '' Tumens'' and '' Mingghans'', civil and military units of 10,000 and 1,000 households respectively, each of them with one recruitable soldier. In times of peace the ''Noyons'' ruled as lords over these households and governed the use of the pasture lands. In times of war they led the warriors of their Tumens and Mingghans. During conquests, ''Noyons'' used to receive territories for administration and they effectively became aristocracy, into the 20th century. ''Noyons'' were above the ordinary Mongols in social rank but below the descendants of

. They were sometimes called

emir Emir (; ' (), also Romanization of Arabic, transliterated as amir, is a word of Arabic language, Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocratic, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person po ...

or bey in the Ulus of Jochi, the

Ilkhanate The Ilkhanate or Il-khanate was a Mongol khanate founded in the southwestern territories of the Mongol Empire. It was ruled by the Il-Khans or Ilkhanids (), and known to the Mongols as ''Hülegü Ulus'' (). The Ilkhanid realm was officially known ...

and the Chagatai Khanate while historical records of the

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty ( ; zh, c=元朝, p=Yuáncháo), officially the Great Yuan (; Mongolian language, Mongolian: , , literally 'Great Yuan State'), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after Div ...

of China gave the equivalent as ''guanren'' (官人). Usually, "Noyon" followed the name of a person similar to the usage of the title "Khan" or "Bey".

Qing dynasty

The

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

of China, which ruled Mongolia from 1694 to 1911, entrusted rule in Mongolia to the descendants of Genghis Khan, who were also called ''Noyon''. The term ''Noyon'' in this epoch acquired the connotation of

nobleman Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...

, since Mongolia was mostly at peace. After 1921 the word ''Darga'' (boss) replaced the aristocratic ''Noyon'' as the term for officials.

Modern Mongolia

In modern Mongolian, the word is used as a form of address similar to " Mister" or " Monsieur".

Religious context

In the

mongolian shamanism Mongolian shamanism, known as the ( ) in Mongolian language, Mongolian and more broadly called the Mongolian folk religion or occasionally Tengrism, Tengerism, refers to the animism, animistic and shamanism, shamanic ethnic religion that has ...

and folk religion the Noyad are a class of local spirits. They are regarded as descendants of gods or clan elders. Noyon is also used as an honorary title in mongolian buddhism for the incarnation line of the

Noyon Khutagt The Noyon Khutagt () is a monk of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism in the Gobi region of Mongolia. The present Noyon Khutagt is believed to be the ninth reincarnation, incarnation of the original Mongolian Noyon Khutagt, who himself was be ...

Notable Noyons

* Qarachar Barlas * Qubilai Barlas * Ichil Barlas * Baiju * Chormaqan *

Jebe Jebe (or Jebei, , pronounced as ''Zev''; birth name: Jirqo'adai (Modern Mongolian: Zurgaadai), , ) (death: approximately 1224) was one of the most prominent Noyans (generals) of Genghis Khan. He belonged to the Besud clan, part of the Taichud ...

Subutai Subutai (c. 1175–1248) was a Mongol general and the primary military strategist of Genghis Khan and Ögedei Khan. He ultimately directed more than 20 campaigns, during which he conquered more territory than any other commander in history a ...

* Dulduityn Danzanravjaa (the Fifth Noyon Khutagt) * Muqali * Boroldai* * Taghachar* * Tygyn Darkhan

Other meanings

Noyan (Bengali name): A common Bangladeshi variant of the name Nayan, meaning "eyes" . The name is of Sanskrit origin (Nayana / नयन). It represents, among other things, wisdom, deep insight and understanding . Another common spelling in Bangladesh is Noyon.

Notes

{{reflist Positions of authority Men's social titles Mongol Empire Qing dynasty