List of Famous Pirates

Blackbeard, Calico Jack, William Kidd and more famous pirates

This section is dedicated to the some of the most famous names among pirates, mostly during 16th and 17th centuries in the Caribbean.

Anne Bonny

Bonny was a strong, independent woman, who became a respected pirate in a predominantly male society.

Bartholomew Roberts

He was the last great pirate of the golden age who plundered more than 400 ships. His boldness and abilities made him one of the most successful pirates.

Benjamin Hornigold

A man who was a privateer, pirate and pirate hunter during his career. He is also well-known because his apprentice and partner was Blackbeard.

Blackbeard

Blackbeard (Edward Teach) was the notorious captain and the most famous pirate ever. His deeds, behavior, and terrifying image made him a perfect villain who harassed many ships in the Caribbean.

Calico Jack

A typical small-time pirate, whose fame comes from the fact that two of the most famous woman pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read sailed under his flag.

Charles Vane

A very skillful pirate who was brave enough to stand against the mighty governor, Woodes Rogers. However, a couple of unfortunate events ended his career sooner than he expected.

Cheung Po Tsai

An infamous pirate, mostly known because of a legend about his hidden treasure in Cheung Po Tsai Cave in Cheung Chau Island.

Edward England

This Irishman was a successful pirate, who captured many ships. However, his kindness and not-so-pirate attitude prevented him to become even greater.

Many stories from the famous Golden Age of Piracy tell the tales of notorious pirate captains, but none can claim that Edward Low was not one of the vilest and cruelest pirate captains of that time. Here you can find out more about his life, from the early age of crime to the heights and lows of his pirate career.

Grace O'Malley

One of the most famous female pirates of all time is without a doubt Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish noblewoman who spent the majority of her life at sea. Here you can find out more information about her interesting life.

Henry Every

Every was one of the rare pirates who chose to retire from piracy and lived rest of his life as a rich man.

Howell Davis

The intelligent pirate, who often used trickery instead of relying only on arms and firepower.

Mary Read

This unfortunate girl spent most of her life pretending to be a man. She was treated as woman only on one occasion.

Paulsgrave Williams

Paulsgrave Williams became a pirate at a very old age. Many people think that he was just looking for some excitement.

Picture Of Flag Of Pirate Edward England

Samuel Bellamy

Known facts about Samuel Bellamy’s pirate career and his famous love story, which inspired many writers.

Stede Bonnet

Stede Bonnet was a former major and wealthy man who suddenly turned to piracy. He became famous despite the fact that he was inexperienced and incompetent pirate.

Thomas Tew

“Specially wicked and ill-disposed pirate”.

Turgut Reis

Turgut Reis was one of the most famous and celebrated Ottoman naval commanders, who commanded over much of Mediterranean during 16th century. Here you can find out more about his military conquest, interesting life, and legacy that he left for the future.

William Kidd

Captain Kidd was a successful privateer who became pirate thanks to a couple of unfortunate events. The stories about his buried treasure made him even more popular.

Sayyida al Hurra

Sayyida al Hurra as one of the most important female figures of the Islamic West was a queen of Tétouan (1515-1542) and also pirate queen of the western Mediterranean.

Emanuel Wynn

Emanuel Wynn was a French pirate active in the beginning 18th century. Today he is probably most knows as the first pirate to fly the Jolly Roger.

James Cooks' general chart of Newfoundland

Peter Easton

Peter Easton is one of the most successful pirates of the early 17th century who even managed to retire and spend his treasure in peace. During his short career on the sea, he managed to amass the vast fleet of pirate ships that became stronger than any military might that roamed Atlantic.

Richard Worley

Richard Worley was a pirate who operated in the in the Caribbean Sea and the east coast of the American colonies. He was responsible for creating and popularizing one of the most popular pirate flag designs of all time that today everyone recognizes.

Ching Shih

Ching Shih known as Cheng I Sao was the most powerful and successful female pirate in history. She was prominent pirate in middle Qing China, who operated around the China Sea in the early 19th century.

Christopher Contend

Christopher Condent was a famous pirate in the area of Bahamas and later Madagascar. He is one of the few famous pirates who lived to tell the tale.

Christopher Moody

Biography of Christopher Moody, famous pirate who was known for his leave no prisoners alive policy and unique Jolly Roger Flag with red and gold colors, instead of traditional black and white.

Famous Buccaneers

Buccaneers were pirates who attacked coastal cities and Spanish ships in the Caribbean Sea during the 17th century. A high esprit among Buccaneer crews combined with overwhelming numbers, allowed them to win battles and raids. Read more about famous Buccaneers.

Christopher Myngs

Myngs was a Royal Navy sailor, who helped England to defend Jamaica from the Spaniards. He had a big influence on many successful buccaneers.

Francois L'Ollonais

The Frenchman was the cruelest buccaneer that ever lived. With his fleet, he managed to conquer several big Spanish towns.

Henry Morgan

Morgan was certainly the most famous buccaneer, a great leader and a hero of England. A man who was so brave and successful that even his enemies praised him.

Famous Privateers

While the actual work of pirates and privateers was almost the same, the distinction was that governments often indiscriminately granted authorization for privateering to a variety of ships. Read more about famous privateers.