Make it official, register your honorable title, learn your special rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
The Kentucky Colonel Lists © — Historic Records, Civic Recognition, Social Change, A Living Legacy in Title
The Kentucky Colonel Lists are being cross-referenced and expanded into five historically verified categories to reflect the full legacy of the title Kentucky Colonel, from its origins in 1775 through today. Our goal is to accommodate the top 1% of all the Kentucky colonels (up to approximately 5,000〜6,000). Publicly, list users can nominate and suggest new entries based on submission of evidence of the subject, including themselves.
Due to personal privacy laws we cannot publish the entire list of persons that have been named a Kentucky Colonel, despite the honor being awarded under the auspices of a legal public act. Another fact is there have been over 500,000 commissions made since 1925 according to the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA). (Only the State of Kentucky can make all these names publicly accessible.) So to be listed here a person needs to either request to be listed (register) or they need to do something in the public realm that recognizes them as a Kentucky Colonel, or in some cases both. Once your name is published your are considered a public figure under Kentucky law and may exercise your right to publicity.
This section does reflect Kentucky colonels that we discover in the news media, in the social media, officers that have shown their commissions to us and have requested to be included on the official list(s). It may also include those who are deceased if their obituary said they were a Kentucky Colonel, when requested by the next of kin.
If you are a researcher, the state records can be visited and accessed in the State Capitol in Frankfort in person; we located the first "Honorific" appointments with Governor James McCreary in 1876 during his first term. Neither the Governor's Office or the Secretary of State can or will confirm who is or who is not a Kentucky Colonel, they do not maintain an electronic database of all that have been granted the award, except for the current administration through the Secretary of State. The best place to begin your search (in person) is at the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA) in Frankfort.
Get a name listed, by adding your name to the Kentucky Colonel Registry you are stepping forward consensually with the acknowledgment of the honorable duty of claiming the office of the Kentucky colonelcy. The "office" refers to the "official" actions, duties, and projects performed by Kentucky Colonels, that are possible based on the Governor providing the "rights, privileges, and responsibilities" appertaining thereto. In essence the governor within Kentucky has granted you the ability to do anything at all that is not unlawful in the state, that should not require any federal oversight. In essence the Kentucky Governor has acknowledged the person may claim the benefits and emoluments of the honorable office.
All those who register are provided with a personal account in the Colonels Network (@colonels.net) which includes the domains [kycolonelcy.org] for International Members and [kycolonelcy.us] for those located in the US. Use the registration link above to affirm your title and have your name added.
If you are looking to confirm the status of a living Kentucky Colonel, request a Colonel for a public appearance, or verify your own recognition, please consult the Official Kentucky Colonel Registry (List of Kentucky Colonels) or use our search tool at the top of the page.
Our pages are developed for those searching for famous Kentucky Colonels, public figures, or historical personalities who received the title, soon you can explore our curated Historic Colonels List and Celebrity Colonels Lists, featuring names published in official records and newspaper archives. If you are looking for a deceased Kentucky Colonel relative or wish to submit an obituary to honor their legacy, soon you can visit the Kentucky Colonels In Memoriam page. All of our public-facing lists preserve and protect the true meaning of the Kentucky Colonel title, correcting historical myths and ensuring long-term cultural recognition as well as guarantee an indomitable legacy for thousands.