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Help[Surname] Moolman...and Maritze
I really hope someone can help me with this one.
These two surnames are of people who live in South Africa. Moolman is of French descent and Maritze of German but they're both from a long history South Africans.
In that country, do they change their surnames to more "S. African"? I just can't find much on either of these, especially not Maritze. And it seems like most people named Moolman are from South Africa. Now, I don't even know that much about Europeans living in South Africa so if they would change their names, I have no idea.
I would really appreciate your help!
These two surnames are of people who live in South Africa. Moolman is of French descent and Maritze of German but they're both from a long history South Africans.
In that country, do they change their surnames to more "S. African"? I just can't find much on either of these, especially not Maritze. And it seems like most people named Moolman are from South Africa. Now, I don't even know that much about Europeans living in South Africa so if they would change their names, I have no idea.
I would really appreciate your help!
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Replies
Interestingly, I found something completely different from my initial reaction to this question.
I agree with Jim about Maritze ...though I didn't research it, but I know his postings and suspect he is correct.
My inclination initially on Moolman was that it was from a Dutch word - the obvious hint was the double vowel. However, upon googling "mool" (the obvious root we're in search of) there seemed to be a preponderance of Indian (Asia) roots. One that seemed plausible ...meaning "main". So my humble guess is that it may have formed from a term for the primary person in a family of Indian descent …just a guess.
I agree with Jim about Maritze ...though I didn't research it, but I know his postings and suspect he is correct.
My inclination initially on Moolman was that it was from a Dutch word - the obvious hint was the double vowel. However, upon googling "mool" (the obvious root we're in search of) there seemed to be a preponderance of Indian (Asia) roots. One that seemed plausible ...meaning "main". So my humble guess is that it may have formed from a term for the primary person in a family of Indian descent …just a guess.
1
Are you sure about a French origin for Moolman? I know that French Huguenots made a big contribution to the Afrikaaner gene pool but this name doesn't look French, and I can't find a similar French name.
Maritze - German you say. A version of Mauritz, Maurice? I looked up Pietermaritzburg on wikipedia, but they reckon it's called after Piet Retief, aka Pieter Maritz Retief, who was of French origin (Rétif?).
Afrikaaner families are usually very keen on genealogy, so there's probably information on the Moolman family somewhere out there.
Maritze - German you say. A version of Mauritz, Maurice? I looked up Pietermaritzburg on wikipedia, but they reckon it's called after Piet Retief, aka Pieter Maritz Retief, who was of French origin (Rétif?).
Afrikaaner families are usually very keen on genealogy, so there's probably information on the Moolman family somewhere out there.
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