Litvin

The word Litvin (Belarusian: літвін, ліцвін, litvin, litsvin; Russian: литвин, litvin, Ukrainian: литвин, lytvyn) is a Slavic term meaning Lithuanian. In historical contest it can also refer to Slavic people identifying themselves with the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Recently it has been used in modern Belarus to describe ethnic Belarusians in historical contexts. In other contexts it can also refer to Slavic people identifying themselves with the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania in present-day Lithuania and Belarus, as well in Ukraine, western Russia and parts of Poland. In modern Belarus, the term is used by some to stress Belarusian participation and contributions to the former Grand Duchy.

History of the term

The term Belarusian as an ethnonym referring to the inhabitants of what is now Belarus developed only in the 20th century. Before the late 19th century, the term White Ruthenia usually referred specifically to eastern regions of modern Belarus. Slavic-speaking inhabitants of the Grand Duchy, especially those living east of the historical Baltic lands of the Lithuania Propria – in cities like Minsk, Hrodna, Navahrudak – were usually referred to as Ruthenians in the English language. According to Belarusian historian Anatol Hrytskievich, lands of modern north-western Belarus constituted the major part of historical Lithuania and one should therefore not associate the medieval Grand Duchy of Lithuania exclusively with the modern Republic of Lithuania.

Litvin (surname)

Litvin is a Slavic surname which literally means a Lithuanian person. A feminine form is Litvina. The equivalent Ukrainian-language surname is Lytvyn.

The surname or nickname 'Litvin' may refer to:

See also