Governorates of the Russian Empire was created by the edict (ukase) of Peter the Great on 18 December 1708 "On the establishment of the gubernias and cities assigned to them", which divided Russia into eight guberniyas. Peter appointed Governors-General only in the St. Petersburg and Azov governorates. The heads of the other six governorates were named by Peter as governors. Initially, the titles Governor-General (генерал-губернатор - general-gubernator) and Governor (губенатор - gubernator) were no different. The title was only an honorific title.
 Tikhon Streshnev was the first governor of Moscow in 1709–1711. In 1712–1714, the capital of the Tsardom of Russia was moved to St. Petersburg.
 The higher chief (главный начальник - glavny nachal'nik) was the head of the Moscow governorate since 1727. It was appointed by the Emperor. From time to time, the Emperor sometimes voluntarily called this position as "Governor-General" or "commander-in-chief".
 In 1780s, older Moscow governorate was disestablished. The territory of former Moscow province becomes the new subdivision with the name "Moscow governorate". On 5 October 1781, Catherine II signed ukaz "On the Establishing of Moscow governorate". The title of the head was defined in this ukaz.
 On 30 October 1816, the title "chief" (начальник - nachal'nik) was renamed "military governor-general" (военнный генерал-губернатор - voyenny general-gubernator). Vladimir Dolgorukov was appointed governor-general of the Moscow Military District for the first time without the word "military" in 1865.
 During the existence of both the Moscow Governorate and the Moscow Governorate-General (with Moscow Governorate-General consisted only of the Moscow Governorate) as two administrative units in the same time, there were simultaneously two posts of heads of Moscow in the same time. The responsibilities between the Military Governor and the Civil Governor were divided in a very complex way.
 In 1905, the Moscow gradonachalnik and Moscow Civil governor were subordinated to the Moscow Governor-General. Therefore there were three offices of heads of Moscow in the same time.
 Gorodskoy golova (городской голова, literally "City's head"), the head of the Moscow Executive body, was appointed by Moscow City Duma. This office is roughly equals the post of speaker of regional or municipal parliament with executive powers.
 The post was established by Empress Catherine II in 1767. Gorodskoy golova was elected for a term of three years, and was confirmed in office by the Governor. In accordance with the city regulations of 1862 and 1870, Gorodskoy golova was elected for 4 years and approved by the Emperor. Gorodskoy golova was subordinate to the Governor-General. He presided over meetings of the Moscow city Duma.
 On 1 January 1905 Nicholas II established Moscow City Authority (московское градоначальство - moskovskoye gradonachal'stvo), largely independent of the Moscow Governorate. Moscow City Authority was headed by gradonachalnik (градоначальник, literally "city's chief").
 Both state and communist officeholders were called heads of Moscow.
 Until March 1990, the first secretaries of the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU were the de facto real influential leaders of Moscow
 Chairmen of the Presidium of the Executive Committee of Moscow Council of Workers' Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Presidium of the Moscow Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Presidium of the Moscow Council of Workers' and Red Armymen's Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Presidium of the Moscow Council of Workers', Peasants' and Red Armymen's Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Moscow Council of Workers', Peasants' and Red Armymen's Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Moscow Regional Council of Workers', Peasants' and Red Armymen's Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Moscow City Council of Workers', Peasants' and Red Armymen's Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Moscow City Council of Labourers' Deputies:
 Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Moscow City Council of People's Deputies:
 Mayor of Moscow is the holder of the highest office of subject of the Russian Federation. The separate office of the Premier of the Government of Moscow existed from 1991 to 2001.
 Mayors: