The Al Thani were among a tribal group, which had settled for a long time at Gebrin oasis in southern Najd before they arrived in Qatar during the early 18th century. Initially they stayed in the north of the peninsula before moving to Doha in the mid 19th century under the leadership of Mohammed Bin Thani. The family of Al Thani is a branch of the Arab tribe Tamim, whose descent can be traced back to Mudar Bin Nizar. This tribe inhabited the eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula. The name of Al Thani is derived from that of the family's ancestor, Thani Bin Mohammed, father of Mohammed bin Thani, who was the first sheikh to rule over the Qatar peninsula during the mid 20th century.
The Succession of Qatar Rulers
- Sheikh Mohammad Bin Thani (1850 - 1878)
- Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammad Al Thani (1878 - 1913)
- Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim All Thani (1913 -1949)
- Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani (1949 - 1960)
- Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al Thani (1960- 1972)
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani (1972 - 1995)
- Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani The Present Emir (1995), supported by the ruling family and the Qatari people.
The Succession of Qatar Rulers
