Otto Skorzeny, the Irish Farmer

[Syt]

The name doesn't sound very Polish. More like Czech/Hungarian or Prussian.

Considering his Viennese birth I'd think Hungarian. But Czech/Slovakian/Hungarian/Croat names are common among "old" Viennese families.

[Hansmeister]

My wife's family knew no Nazis.  None.

Okay, they knew Rudel and Tank.  But nobody else.

My mom's family did, on the Hess side.  Some quite prominent...  They say I take after my mad great great uncle.

My Grandmother was invited to meet Hitler after the annexation of the Sudetenland since she was working as a spy smuggling information on Czech Army positions and strength across the border via bicycle.  She ended up fainting in Hitler's arms, he responded by patting her on the back and saying "ist ja gut".

My grand uncle ended up a Colonel in the Waffen-SS, was captured near Budapest in '45 and spent 10 years in Siberia.

After the war of course everybody in my family was always opposed to Hitler. 

[Martinus]

Is Skorzeny originally a Hungarian name, or something else?

IIRC his family had vague Polish origins.

The name doesn't sound very Polish. More like Czech/Hungarian or Prussian.

Where is Skorzęcin?

So? I guess by that logic Paris of Troy was French. The suffix "eny" is not Polish.

And besides, the village is in the former Prussian district - so not unlikely that it was founded by Prussians and then the name was polonised.

[Hansmeister]

Is Skorzeny originally a Hungarian name, or something else?

IIRC his family had vague Polish origins.

The name doesn't sound very Polish. More like Czech/Hungarian or Prussian.

Where is Skorzęcin?

So? I guess by that logic Paris of Troy was French. The ending "eny" is not Polish.

And besides, the village is in the former Prussian district - so not unlikely that it was founded by Prussians and then the name was polonised.

I believe Skorzeny was originally from Galizien, which of course was a mishmash of German, polish, Ukrainian, and Jews.

[Martinus]

My wife's family knew no Nazis.  None.

Okay, they knew Rudel and Tank.  But nobody else.

My mom's family did, on the Hess side.  Some quite prominent...  They say I take after my mad great great uncle.

Wow, and you dare accuse my ancestors of collaboration. Ironic.

[Tonitrus]

My wife's family knew no Nazis.  None.

Okay, they knew Rudel and Tank.  But nobody else.

My mom's family did, on the Hess side.  Some quite prominent...  They say I take after my mad great great uncle.

Wow, and you dare accuse my ancestors of collaboration. Ironic.

[derspiess]

So? I guess by that logic Paris of Troy was French. The suffix "eny" is not Polish.

And besides, the village is in the former Prussian district - so not unlikely that it was founded by Prussians and then the name was polonised.

Or possibly the name was originally Polish but modified later.  Note that I did say *vague* Polish origins.