[1] The Yiddish name for the city was סרעדניק (Srednik), corresponding to the Polish Średniki, German Schrödnick, and Russian Средники (Sredniki).

Other recorded forms of the town's name include Srednike, Seredzhyus, Seredzhus and Seredius.

The name Seredžius is believed to be derived from середа (sereda), a word meaning "Wednesday" in many Slavic languages.

[2] After the Battle of Grunwald, the location lost its military purpose and became private property of the Sapieha family.

The town had a large Jewish population prior to World War II.