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[Surname] origin of the dutch surname MONDRIAAN
Could anyone explain me the origin of this dutch surname?
Thank you
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From what I can make out from this source
http://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nfd/detail_naam.php?naam=Mondriaan
The name began as a French surname, Monreal. This became Mondriaal, Mondria and Mondriaan.
Maybe someone who can read Dutch will confirm this (or not).
I'm assuming that Monreal is a version of the French place name/surname Montréal.
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From what I can read in this is that Mondriaal, Mondria and Mondriaan are variants of each other. It's not very clear if it comes from Monreal or not (nothing suggests that is does, but it could be a variant as well), Monreal would be a Spanish or Aragonese surname derived from any of a number of places called Monreal.btw: I've always found Meertens not very useful when it comes to name meanings, it only lists variants instead of meanings.

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I hadn't thought of a possible Spanish origin, Spanish Netherlands and all that. Still, I think a French Huguenot or Walloon origin is also possible.
Can you recommend a better website for Dutch names?
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Nope, sorry, I use ancestry.com besides this one. I haven't found any good sites on Dutch names.
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Well, did anyone actually mention that if it is a version of Montreal, that its meaning is "mountain + royal" ... or the 'royal mountain' ...just wanted to add that in.
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