The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname
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Berciunas
The chronicles of the region now known as Poland, though sometimes shrouded by the mists of time reveal the ancient origins of the Berciunas family name. Careful research by professional analysts using such references as "Herbarz Polski" and "Herby Rodow Polskich" reveal that the family's early origin trace back to the forming of the tribal clan of Families system, founded by the Goths in 150A.D. In the struggles for control over its rich agricultural soil, the feudal clan system evolved as the best defense against hordes of invaders sweeping in from the east over the centuries. Amber, still mined today, was traded by the Germanic tribes and the famous Arabian breed of horse, Trakehner, was created here. The surname Berciunas was found in this region, comprised of parts of Austria, Prussia, Lithuania and Russia, and family in the region of Warmia and Mazury regions in the north of Poland where the Ogonczyk clan of families trace their earliest beginnings amongst the Polish Great Lakes and Teutonic castles. Over 1000 years ago the region was populated with Prussians, a martial pagan people who cause Poland a lot of trouble. As a result Poland invited in the Teutonic Order of Knights whose aim was to convert Prussians into Catholicism and to pacify their aggressive endeavors. The Teutonic Knights were so efficient that there are no Prussians on this area today. On the lands which they deprived the Prussians of, the Teutonic Knights established a well organized military state which in turn started to threaten Poland. Today Gothic castles, churches and towns of Warmia and Mazury are the remainders of the Teutonic power. Many member families of the Ogonczyk clan of families descend from this ancient Teutonic Order of Knights.
Over the centuries the many dialects and different languages created multiple spellings for the Berciunas family name and their Clan affiliates in the Clan records and included Augustynowski, Bloch, Cym, Czerski, Dabrowski, Dobiecki, Golenski, Hayko, Jackimowixz, Kloczko, Letowski,Marsztyn, Martinka, Mniewski, Ogonowski, Parul, Siewierski, Stanski, Starosielski, Szwykowski, Wiesiolowski, Wlewski, Wolinski, Wolski, Woyszyk, Wydsiersewski, Wysocki, Zakrzewski, Zwolski, to name some within this noble Clan.
The earliest record of the Berciunas family appears in the region of Warmia and Mazury where the family held full heritable rights and properties as members of the noble Ogonczyk Clan of Families, who was one of the more powerful of the Polish clan states with a membership of over 50 warrior families. From the 10th century onwards, the Ogonczyk Clan of Families were identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation in the 11th century. Later, the 13th century King Jakob z Raciborowic held the lands in 1241. Other Polish Clans held territories in this region, as the Ogonczyk Clan of Families also held territories throughout Poland and Prussia. Many members of the great Ogonczyk Clan continued to make important contributions to the life of Europe in the middle ages, especially in the middle ages, especially in the service to faith, price and country. Branches of the family had formed from early on as the family served king, country and faith as ambassadors or enlisted into military, political, and religious service into neighboring territories of Wielpolska, Prussia, Pomerania, Galacia, Sandomier, Warsaw, Halicz, and throughout Poland as well as into Lithuania, Prussia, Russia and Germany by the end of the 16th century. From the 16th century onwards they held significant positions of prestige and power becoming involved in tribal struggles for supremacy. First formed in the 10th century this vast region was anciently known as Chrobacya until Prince Ziemovit wrested it from the crumbling Moravian Empire. Mieszko, great grandson of Ziemovit, and his Bohemian consort Dobrawa introduced Christianity at the end of the 10th century. Their son, Prince Boleslaus (992-1025) was the first to bear the royal title and he added to their vast territories by extending it from the Baltic to the Carpathian and Elbe to the Bug. It is from these royal personages that the royal and noble Clans of Families descend. With the Teutonic Order of Knights pushing in from the west and the Tartars from the east, the Clans fought to position themselves for best survival and trade by forming alliances with families in neighboring countries. During the 14th and 15th centuries the Church rose to prominence.
The son of Wladislaus II became Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1447 and consolidated the two nations. The Clans built many castles during the next century against the Turks, Muscovites and Cossacks (freebooters) who became a peril. During the 15th and 16th centuries, members of the Berciunas family fought in the wars with Moscow, Sweden and Cossacks as each clan found their own warriors the best defense for survival. Notable at this time, amongst the Clans of Poland was the noble Ogonczyk Clan of families of Warmia and Mazury in Poland.
Internal strife in the region by kings, politicians and even religion, found many families branching to more peaceful parts of Europe. The New World also beckoned with opportunity. The migrations started about 1650 and continue to this day. The Majority of settlers land in Michigan, settled in Detroit and moved on to Milwaukee, Cleveland, Buffalo, Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh and Toledo. Settlers of the Berciunas family included settlers who traveled to the New World and established themselves along the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Modern notables bearing the surname Berciunas include those notable personalities whose social, cultural and professional accomplishments were known on both sides of the Atlantic.
Current bearers of the surname:
Berciunas, Berciuniene, Berciunaite-Here
is a good explanation about how female Lithuanian surname ending are modified as
to whether they are married (IENE ending) or unmarried (AITE, UTE, or YTE
endings). The "J" sound in Lithuanian is pronounced like a "Y" sound having the
switch between the two letters is understandable.
USA: Adam Duane, Angel, Brooke Elizabeth, Bryce Mac, Caleb, Daniel William, Devyn James, Estarah Hope, Gage Allen, Hailey, Harmony Janeen, Harold William Jr., Harold William Sr., Hunter Blake, Jason Scott, Joseph Walter, Keith Anthony, Kyle Robert, Martha, Martin Duane, Sierra Jae, Thomas Scott, Tyler, and Verna Michelle.
Lithuania:
Arnoldas ,Viktoro ,Alesko ,Pranas ,Juozapas,Vytautas
Dalia Berciunaite,Teofile Berciuniene ,Anzela ,Birute ,Elana ,Irena ,
Maryte,Nijole ,Ona ,Jelena
Lithuanian Anthem (Audio, 759KB AU format file)
