This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Re: surname Napangardi
in reply to a message by W
As far as I can tell most Australian Aborigines have surnames of the dominant culture, i.e., European settlers, usually English speaking. In their traditional way of life there would have been no surnames. The English type surnames they now have would most likely have been imposed on them by teachers, clergy and other authority figures, as part of the now discredited policy of eradicating Aboriginal culture, including language.
Again I'm guessing but I think it likely that most of the Aboriginal surnames in current use have been adopted in recent times as part of a people's attempt to rescue their suppressed identity. The "skin group" name is probably one source of such names, but it's possible that a parent's given name might serve the purpose.
As for learning the meaning of most Aboriginal names we would have to first find out which of several Aboriginal languages they are in. Then, I imagine, spellings will vary as there has not been to my knowledge a standard form of writing.
Perhaps more could be learned of Aboriginal language and culture from Wikipedia.
vote up1vote down

No replies