The folk etymology suggests that the name may have been inspired by the swampy forest near the town, which was set on fire by lightning strike, but because of the high humidity, it did not burn as much as it smoked.

Recently the buildings were returned to the Bernardine monks, who established the International Centre of Youth there.

[3] In August, 1941, the remaining Jews of Troškūnai (about 200 people) were transported by white armbanders to the Panevėžys ghetto.

There on August 23, 1941, they were murdered along with Jews from the town of Panevėžys and its surrounding areas in a mass execution.

[4] After the Soviet occupation in the surroundings of Troškūnai Lithuanian partisans of Algimantas military district Šarūnas detachment were active.