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Potocki is the surname of a Polish szlachta (nobility) family. Because Polish adjectives have different forms for the genders, Potocka is the same form for a female family member. Potoccy is the Polish language plural form, i.e., it means "the Potockis" or "the Potocki family".
History
The Potocki family is a great artistocratic family originated from Potok in the Krakow Voivodship. Their family name derives from that place’s name. The first known Potocki was Żyrosław z Potoka (born about 1136). The children of his son Aleksander were progenitors of new noble families like the Moskorzewski´s, Stanisławski´s, Tworowski´s, Borowski´s and Stosłowski´s. Jakub Potocki (~1481-1551) was the progenitor of the magnate line of the Potocki family, of which descendants live until today. Descendants include those living in America, Portock is an Americanized version of the Polish Potocki.
The magnate line split into three primary lineages, called:
- "Linia hetmańska" ("Srebrna Pilawa"), in English: "Hetman's lineage" ("Silver Pilawa"). Note some sources refer to Pilawa as Piława.
- "Linia Prymasowa" ("Złota Pilawa"), in English: "Primate's lineage" ("Golden Pilawa")
- "Żelazna Pilawa", considered the oldest ones, in English: "Iron Pilawa"
The "Złota Pilawa" line received a count title from Emperor of Austria in 1606. The entire family begun using the Count title after the partitions of Poland.
In 1631 Stefan Potocki, who started the "Złota Pilawa" lineage, died and was buried in Złoty Potok (Golden Potok, a village owned by this lineage), his descendants started to use the Piława coat of arms in golden colour. Because of that the lineage is called the "Złota Pilawa" (Golden Piława).
There are also four branches called:
- "Gałąź łańcucka" (Branch of Łańcut)
- "Gałąź krzeszowicka" (Branch of Krzeszowice)
- "Gałąź tulczyńska" (Branch of Tulczyn)
- "Gałąź wilanowska" (branch of Wilanów)
Named after the hubs of their respective constellations of properties.
The family became prominent in the 16th and 17th centuries as a result of the patronage of Chancellor Jan Zamoyski and King Sigismund III Vasa.
Coat of Arms and Motto
The Potocki family used the "Pilawa" arms and their motto was: "Scutum opponebat scuto" (possibly "Shield opposing shield", neo-Latin?).
Members
- Aleksander Stanisław Potocki (1778-1845), landowner, politician
- Alfred Józef Potocki (1817-1889), Sejm Marshal, Minister-President of Austria
- Alfred Wojciech Potocki (1785-1862), landowner, politician
- Andrzej Potocki (?-1692), Field Crown Hetman
- Andrzej Potocki (1618-1663), Obozny and voivode
- Teodor Potocki (1664-1738), Primate of Poland and interrex in 1733
- Antoni Protazy Potocki (1761-1801), banker and voivode
- Artur Potocki (1787-1832), landowner, officer
- Feliks Kazimierz Potocki (1630-1702), Field and Great Hetman of the Crown
- Franciszek Salezy Potocki (1700-1772), Krajczy, Field Clerk of the Crown
- Jan Potocki (1761-1815), writer (The Manuscript Found in Saragossa)
- Józef Potocki (1673-1751), Great Hetman of the Crown
- Józef Potocki (?-1723), Great Guard of the Crown
- Katarzyna Potocka (?-1642), was married to Janusz Radziwiłł
- Konstancja Potocka (1781-1852), was married to Jan Potocki and Edward Raczyński
- Mikołaj Potocki (1595-1651), Field and Great Crown Hetman
- Mikołaj Bazyli Potocki (1712-1782), Starost of Kanev, benefactor of the Pochayiv Lavra
- Natalia Potocka (1810-1830), was married to Roman Sanguszko
- Roman Ignacy Potocki (1750-1809), co-author of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791
- Roman Potocki (1851-1889), landowner
- Stanisław Kostka Potocki (1755-1821), writer, publicist, collector and patron of art
- Stanisław Rewera Potocki (1579-1667), Field and Great Hetman of the Crown
- Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki (1753-1805), Marshal of the Targowica Confederation
- Wiktoria Elżbieta Potocka (?-c.1670), was married to Adam Hieronim Sieniawski and Andrzej Potocki
Feigned Member
- Count Geoffrey Potocki de Montalk (1902-1997), New Zealand poet.
Potockis and Vodka
The Potockis distilled spirits at their famous Łancut estate in the country's oldest distillery. The Potockis are better known for their contribution to Poland's military, political, and cultural history over six centuries, however, today their name is most recognized by their continued contribution to vodka, Potocki Wódka.When the Łancut estate passed to the Potocki family in 1816, it contained Poland's oldest distillery, founded in 1784. It was extensively developed by the Potockis during the 19th Century.
The 'Distillery of Counts Potocki' in Łancut produced vodkas, spirits and liqueurs of such renown that it received Imperial privilege from the Habsburg Emperors and won several gold medals in international competitions. The Łancut distillery continued to operate until 1944 when it was confiscated by the Communist regime.
Today, Potocki Wódka is produced in Western Poland under the present day owner, Jan-Roman Potocki.
References
See also
- Patriotic Party
- Pochayiv Lavra
- Baltiysk (former town of Piława)
"Potocki"