The article deals with the history of the Russian noble family of Behteevs from the end of the XV century until the revolution of 1917 and the civil war in Russia that followed. The author studies the most famous Yelets-Voronezh branch of the Behteev family, the representatives of which played an important role in the history of the Russian state for several centuries. They took part in the conquest of Novgorod and Kazan, in the events of the time of Troubles, they served as diplomats and ambassadors, governors, military and government officials, they participated in the First World war, and then in the civil war.