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Re: meaning of lavimoniere
I think you're right. "Accent grave over the e" to quote W.C.Fields.
I suspected that this might be locative. I've looked for places something like La Ville Moniere/Monniere/Monnayere, but no luck so far.
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An explanation has given in the Forum of the French Site:www.jtosti.com/noms.
This surname has a locative origin: a place in Normandy La maudière.
The spelling has been modified in America.
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The "lavi" element suggests cleaning or bathing.
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Yes, it would make a great last name for a plumber. I wonder if that is indeed the origin of the name.
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