[1][2] The dynasty was founded when a certain Mihran, a distant relative of Sasanian, settled in the region of Gardman in Utik.
He was probably a member of a branch of the Mihranid family which was listed among the Seven Great Houses of Iran, and whose two other lines ruled Iberia (Chosroid Dynasty) and Gogarene/Gugark.
Their ancestor, Mihran, was said to have received the region of Gardman by the Sasanian monarch Khosrow II (r. 590–628).
[6] The Mihranids then conquered all of Albania and assumed the title of Arranshah, but without embracing its royal status.
[1] Subsequently Sahl Smbatean, a descendant of the aforementioned Arranshahik (Eṙanšahik) family, assumed the title of Arranshah[9] and ruled significant part of Caucasian Albania.