Czernin family
The Czernin (Czech: Černínové z Chudenic, German: Czernin von und zu Chudenitz) family is one of the oldest and most important dynasties originating in Bohemia, present-day Czech Republic.
History
The family is descended from the clan of "Drslavice", like several other Bohemian families. The first known bearer of the family name was "Comes" and Camerarius regis (1199–1212) Cyrnin de Chudenic (11?? - 12??). The name of the family refers to the town of Chudenice in western Bohemia which was in their possession from the 13th century until 1945.
On May 18, 1607 the Czernin family was elevated to the Reichsfreiherrenstand with the title "Freiherr von Chudenitz" (Baron of Chudenitz, svobodný pán z Chudenic) and on March 15, 1623 to the Reichsgrafenstand with "Reichsgraf von Chudenitz" (Count of Chudenitz, hrabě z Chudenic).
In 1716, Franz Josef, Count Czernin von und zu Chudenitz received permission from the emperor to call himself and his firstborn descendants "Regierer des Hauses Neuhaus und Chudenitz" (Ruler of the House of Neuhaus and Chudenitz).
Today most members of the Czernin family live in the Czech Republic and Austria.
Legend
It is said that about 1000 years ago, the King had a conflict with a Bohemian nobleman. He was so angry with him, that he sent his troops into the nobleman's castle. The soldiers murdered the whole family except a baby boy, whom his nurse had hidden in a kettle in the kitchen. When the soldiers withdrew, people found the little child in the kettle and they praised God for this miracle. They called the boy Czernin which means "The Black" in Czech, because he was black all over his face after having lain in the kettle. The king was so impressed by the peoples loyalty, that he pardoned the little Czernin.
Notable family members
- Count Ottokar Czernin von und zu Chudenitz (* 1872; † 1932), diplomat and Austro-Hungarian politician
- Count Otto Czernin von und zu Chudenitz (* 27 August 1875; † 14 June 1962) Austrian diplomat and brother of Count Ottokar
- Czernin, Count Manfred Beckett (1913–1962) Otto's son; WWII pilot and spy
- Count Johann Rudolf Czernin von und zu Chudenitz
- Franz Josef Czernin (* 1951), Austrian poet
- Hubertus Czernin (* 1956; † 2006), Austrian journalist and publisher
- Jacquie Czernin (Countess Jacqueline Valerie Caroline Czernin von und zu Chudenitz und Morzin) (* 1956) Radio host, CBC Radio 1, Quebec City, Canada.
- Michelle Czernin (Countess Michelle Leoma Alexandra Czernin von und zu Chudenitz und Morzin) (* 1969) Producer and Publicist, Los Angeles, California.
Sources
- Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Gräfliche Häuser Band XII