Yelü Dashi (1087-1143), a Chinese-educated Khitan leader and the founder of the Western Liao dynasty (Qara Khitai) in Central Asia.

Yelü Chucai (1190-1244), Khitan statesman and advisor to Genghis Khan and Ögödei Khan, known for convincing the Mongols to tax the conquered population of the north China plains rather than slaughter it