Tatars
Turkic-speaking peoples across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
The Tatars are Turkic-speaking peoples spread across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia who identify with the name "Tatar." The term originally may have described the Tatar confederation, a group of steppe tribes later absorbed into the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan. In the past, Western mapmakers used "Tatar" or "Tartar" for anyone from the vast region called Tartary, which was wrongly linked to the Mongol Empire. Today, the name more specifically refers to related ethnic groups that call themselves Tatars.
The largest Tatar group is the Volga Tatars, who live in the Volga-Ural area of European Russia, including Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. They make up 53% of Tatarstan's population and speak the Tatar language. In 2010, about 5.3 million ethnic Tatars lived in Russia. While Volga, Crimean, and Siberian Tatars each speak different Kipchak Turkic dialects, genetic studies show these three main groups are not closely related, meaning they formed separately. However, at least one Tatar group may have been culturally influenced by the Golden Horde. Many noble families in the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire had Tatar origins.
The name "Tatar" came to be used for peoples of the former Golden Horde in Europe, such as those from the Kazan, Crimean, Astrakhan, Qasim, and Siberian Khanates. The form "Tartar" entered Western languages from Turkish and Persian, with the extra "r" likely linked to Tartarus, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. The Persian word first appears in the 13th century for Genghis Khan's forces, and its origin is unknown, possibly from "tata." In Arabic, it is written as تتار, and Tatars themselves wrote it as تاتار or طاطار. Some Siberian and Far Eastern peoples, like the Chulyms, Khakas, Teleut, and Shor, also used "Tatar" as an endonym. Scholars note that Siberian Tatars and those between Asia and Europe are Turkic but adopted the name later, without direct ancestral ties to the Mongolic Nine Tatars. Some Turkic groups in the Russian Empire, like the Yakuts and Chuvashes, were never called Tatars, while others still use the name today.
The modern Tatar language, along with Bashkir, belongs to the Kypchak-Volga-Ural group of Kipchak languages. It has Central and Western dialects, with Central Tatar forming the basis of the literary language. Siberian Tatar is distinct from Volga-Ural Tatar, and its dialects often hinder mut
- largest_group
- Volga Tatars
- population_in_Russia_2010
- 5.3 million
- primary_language
- Tatar language (Kipchak-Volga-Ural group)
- region
- Eastern Europe and Northern Asia
- known_for
- Formation from the Golden Horde and diverse subgroups including Volga, Crimean, and Siberian Tatars
Lore & Background
By far the largest group among the Tatars are the Volga Tatars, native to the Volga-Ural region (Tatarstan and Bashkortostan) of European Russia, who compose 53% of Tatarstan's population. Their language is known as the Tatar language. As of 2010, there were an estimated 5.3 million ethnic Tatars in Russia. While speaking languages belonging to different Kipchak sub-groups, genetic studies have shown that the three main groups of Tatars (Volga, Crimean, and Siberian) are apparently unrelated, and thus their formation occurred independently of one another, but it is possible that at least one of the Tatar groups had cultural influence mainly from the times of the Golden Horde.
Reader's Guide
The Tatars represent a complex ethnonym applied to multiple Turkic-speaking groups with distinct origins. The largest population, the Volga Tatars, are concentrated in the Volga-Ural region and form a significant portion of Tatarstan's population. Genetic studies indicate that the Volga, Crimean, and Siberian Tatar groups are unrelated, suggesting independent formation, though cultural influence from the Golden Horde is possible. The term 'Tatar' historically was used broadly by Western cartographers for peoples of Tartary, and later became a name for populations of former Golden Horde khanates. Many noble families in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire had Tatar origins. The modern Tatar language, together with Bashkir, forms the Kypchak-Volga-Ural group, while Siberian Tatar and Crimean Tatar are independent languages. The term remains an endonym for some Siberian and Far Eastern peoples, while others reject it. The legacy of the Tatars is tied to their role in the Mongol Empire, the Golden Horde, and their continued presence as distinct ethnic groups in Russia and beyond.
Did You Know?
- The form 'Tartar' likely arose from an association with Tartarus in Western languages.
- Genetic studies show the three main Tatar groups (Volga, Crimean, Siberian) are apparently unrelated.
- Many noble families in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire had Tatar origins.
- The Persian word 'tātār' is first recorded in the 13th century in reference to the hordes of Genghis Khan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Tatars?
The Tatars are a family of Turkic-speaking ethnic peoples spread across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia who share a common identity under that name. Rather than being one single nation, they are a collection of related groups with their own regional cultures and histories.
Where does the name 'Tatar' come from?
The term most likely originated with a confederation of steppe tribes that were later folded into the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan. European mapmakers later stretched the label to cover anyone from the broad region they called Tartary, which caused centuries of geographic confusion.
What is the largest Tatar subgroup?
The Volga Tatars, based in the Volga-Ural region, are the biggest branch of the Tatar family. The 2010 Russian census recorded approximately 5.3 million of them living within Russia.
What language do Tatars speak?
Their primary tongue is the Tatar language, which belongs to the Kipchak-Volga-Ural branch of the Turkic language family. Individual subgroups such as the Crimean or Siberian Tatars may use distinct dialects or writing systems.
Why are the Tatars historically significant?
They were central to the rise and legacy of the Golden Horde, one of the major successor states of the Mongol Empire. Their political and cultural reach shaped wide stretches of the steppe world, and their diverse subgroups remain vibrant communities today.
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