As a Phanariote, Hangerli claimed heritage from the Byzantine family of the Palaiologos. He was married to Doamna Roxana, who survived his death. According to one account, the surname "Hangerli" () had been assigned to one of his ancestors by Sultan Mehmed IV, after allegedly saving his life by curing him of a potentially fatal illness. The name was based on the word , which was indicative of closeness to the Sultan's person. The Hangerlis were related to other high-ranking Greek families, including the Ypsilantis and the Mourousis.