Welcome to the Kentucky Colonel Searchable Database

Individuals listed here are people worldwide who have received the Kentucky Colonel Commission, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governors of the Commonwealth. The compilation of these names comes from historical records of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels dating back to the 1950s. Currently, this database IS NOT a complete list of Kentucky Colonels. Brand new colonels will be included in the database upon commission, so this is a work in progress.

The Honorable Order’s team and volunteers are working with the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives (KDLA) to scan and upload the Governor’s Executive Order books to include Kentucky Colonels before the 1950s. The Kentucky Colonel commissions are Executive Orders, and all Governor’s Executive Order books are held in perpetuity at KDLA. Interesting tidbit: Did you know that prior to the Kentucky Colonel title, individuals were given the title of Aide-de-Camp?

The goal for the historic project is to have every individual given the honorary title, from the first to the current Governor, uploaded into this searchable database.  So check back often to either look for your name as a new Colonel or for a family, friend, co-worker or Famous Colonel.

Note: Unfortunately, we don’t know why individuals were commissioned Kentucky Colonels, but we know when they were bestowed the title!