This is a list of known pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, privateers, river pirates, and others involved in piracy and piracy-related activities. This list includes both captains and prominent crew members. For a list of female pirates, see women in piracy. For pirates of fiction or myth, see list of fictional pirates.

Ancient World: 1208 BC–197 AD

Name Life Years active Country of origin Comments Ancient Libya Lead the Libyans and the sea people in raiding Egypt's coast and the nile delta but was defeated by the Pharaoh Merneptah in the Battle of Perire. Greece Phocaean admiral active against Carthaginian and Tyrsenian merchants in the years following the Greco–Persian Wars. Greece Greek inscriptions of the Athenian navy raiding his base on Kynthnos Island and capturing him and his men read "making the sea safe for those that sailed thereon." Illyria Queen regent, fostered the pirates among her people, and had a Roman diplomat killed by them. Pharos (Hellenic) His actions precipitated the Second Illyrian War. 190–197 China His party carried bells as their trademark to frighten the commoners. Illyria Was accused by the Romans of organizing and aiding pirate raids in Italy. Rome He was the last focus of opposition to the Second Triumvirate.Gannascusd. 47AD 41–47 Cananefates (Netherlands)Deserted Cananefate soldier. Leading pirate raids of the Chauci into province Gallia Belgica (Belgium) between AD 41–47, when he was captured by the Romans. Pontus (Hellenic) Was the leader of an unsuccessful anti-Roman uprising in Pontus in 69

Middle Ages: 400–1585

Name Life Years Active Country of origin Comments Scandinavia She and some of her female friends dressed like sailors and commandeered a ship. County of Boulogne Boulognese pirate who played a role in the First Crusade. England He was a bishop who became a seafaring warlord adventurer. 1190s Cyprus A Cypriot Greek pirate. Raided Cypriot coasts and abducted the royal family. France He was a mercenary for both England and France. Norway He was a favorite of the Queen, yet committed countless acts of piracy throughout his life 1305–1332 Flanders Flemish pirate known for his successful use of a ship-mounted catapult. Once won the favor of Robert the Bruce and acted as a naval officer for England during the Hundred Years' War (after being captured by King Edward III.) 1370–1402 1392–1402 Germany A German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers (Vitalienbrüder) 1300–1359 1343–1356 Brittany A French-Breton pirate. She raided French towns and ships in the English Channel. 1365–1402 1392–1402 Germany A German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers (Vitalienbrüder) 1340–1408 1380s England An English mayor, privateer and alleged pirate. Raided in the English Channel. 1360–1401 1392–1401 Germany A German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers (Vitalienbrüder) 1370–1415 Procida Antipope during the Western Schism, John XXIII was accused of—among other crimes—piracy, incest and sodomy. 1394–1405 Germany (Pomerania) A Pomeranian duke supporting privateers in the Baltic Sea region and later going on pirate raids himself. Germany Second leader of Victual Brothers, plundered and burned down the Norwegian city Bergen in 1429 1404–1447 Germany A pirate active during political conflicts between Dithmarschen and North Frisia in the early 15th century. Germany (Pomerania) The first king of the Nordic Kalmar Union, he spent his last years living on the island of Gotland and "sent forth piratical expeditions against friend and foe alike".Library of Universal Knowledge: A Reprint of the Last (1880) Edinburgh and London Edition of Chambers's Encyclopedia. New York: American Book Exchange, 1880. (p. 510) 1432–1448 England English pirate active in the Thames and English Channel. Associate of William Kyd. 1474–1518 1503–1518 Ottoman Empire An Ottoman privateer and Bey (Governor) of Algiers and Beylerbey (Chief Governor) of the West Mediterranean. 1480–1551 France A French ship-owner who provided ships to Francis I for exploration of the globe. 1504–1545 Ottoman Empire An Ottoman privateer and later Admiral who dominated the Mediterranean for decades. 1516–1576 1540s England An English privateer. Raided Spanish ports with James Logan and William Cooke. Netherlands (Frisia) From Arum, Friesland. Known as Grutte Pier 'big Pier' because of his length. Another nickname was 'Cross of the Dutchmen'. A Frisian warrior, pirate, freedom fighter, folk hero and rebel. Mainly active with his band De Arumer Zwarte Hoop 'Arum's Black Heap' at the Zuyderzee, the Netherlands. 1445–? Norway A nobleman from Norway, plundered German ships in the Sognefjord. France French privateer and naval officer under Jean Ango. Seized three Spanish ships carrying Aztec treasure from Mexico to Spain in 1523. 1545–1589 Faroe Islands Faroese naval hero and privateer. Was executed for piracy, though charges were later dropped. 1560–1573 Germany A 16th-century pirate who raided shipping in the North Sea until his defeat and capture by a fleet from Hamburg Germany (Frisia) The nephew of Pier Gerlofs Donia (also known as Grutte Pier), fought along his side against the Saxon and Hollandic invaders. England English pirate active in South West England during the early-to-mid-15th century. 1392–1402 Germany A German pirate and one of the leaders of the Likedeelers, a combination of former Victual Brothers (Vitalienbrüder) 1480–1526 Germany Died in Mandal, Norway. One of the most feared pirates in his time 1485–1565 Ottoman Empire A Turkish privateer and Ottoman admiral as well as Bey of Algiers; Beylerbey of the Mediterranean; and first Bey later Pasha of Tripoli. Germany A pirate and privateer operating in the North Sea. Often partnered with Hans Pothorst. Germany A pirate and privateer operating in the North Sea. Often partnered with Didrik Pining. Ottoman Empire A Turkish privateer and Ottoman admiral. Russia A leader of a gang of river pirates, along the Don River region, of Russia and later, led an expedition, in the Russian conquest of Siberia, in the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Norway A Norwegian nobleman-turned pirate and privateer. Operated in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Gave up piracy in 1542 and eventually, became admiral of the Danish-Norwegian Fleet.

Rise of the English Sea Dogs and Dutch Corsairs: 1560–1650