House of Wiśniowiecki

Wiśniowiecki is the name of an important Polish higher noble family of Ruthenian origin. The family seat was Wiśniowiec (now Wyschniwez, Ukraine, Ukrainian: Вишнівець ). The female form of the name is Wiśniowiecka.

History

Founder of the family was the Knyaz Michał Zbaraski Wiśniowiecki (d. 1516 or 1517), probably a descendant of Rurik, although the family has referred to her vote by Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania. In the late 16th century, the family joined by Jeremi Wiśniowiecki converted to Catholicism and was Polonized.

Bearers of the name

Significant bearer of this name were:

• Dymitr Wiśniowiecki " Bajda " (ca. 1535-1563 ), a Polish prince and general, popular first Ataman of registered Cossacks of Zaporozhye, founder of Zaporozhye Sich of
• Jeremi Wiśniowiecki (Ukrainian: Jarema Wiśniowiecki ) ( 1612-1651 ), popular Polish prince, commander in nine wars and civil servant ( Zamoyski, Voivode );
• Michael I. Korybut Wiśniowiecki (1640-1673), Polish prince and statesman ( King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania).
• Michał Serwacy Wiśniowiecki (1680-1944), Lithuanian Great Hetman and Grand Chancellor