Viljoen Last Name Origin, History, and Meaning
Where did the surname Viljoen come from? What does the surname Viljoen mean? Discover the history and meaning of the last name Viljoen and family migration on YourRoots Map.
Surname Viljoen Origin: What does the last name Viljoen mean?
The surname Viljoen is of Afrikaans origin, derived from the French surname Villion. It was introduced to South Africa in the 17th century by French Huguenots who settled and intermarried with the local Dutch population. The earliest known ancestors of the Viljoen clan are François Villion and Cornelia Campenaar, who married in the Cape of Good Hope and later farmed near Stellenbosch, establishing a lineage that has endured for generations.
YourRoots data confirms the early presence of the Viljoen surname in South Africa from the 17th century onwards. The surname has remained closely associated with the country throughout the centuries, with a significant volume of records bearing the Viljoen name by the 20th century. Today, the Viljoen surname continues to be prominent in South Africa, reflecting a rich historical legacy that has shaped the identity of numerous individuals within the region.
Viljoen Last Name History: Where did the last name Viljoen come from?
Origin of Viljoen Surname: Where does the last name Viljoen originate from?
According to YourRoots data, the surname Viljoen first appeared in records from South Africa around the early 17th century. Please note that this reflects only YourRoots data for the exact Viljoen spelling and does not include other record sources or surname variations.
History of the Last Name Viljoen: What does the Viljoen surname history look like in the early days?
The Viljoen surname remained closely associated with South Africa from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Global Spread: Where can we find the Viljoen surname today?
By the 20th century, the volume of records with the Viljoen surname grew significantly in South Africa. The Viljoen surname remains prominent in South Africa.
Explore Viljoen last name heritage and Viljoen surname origin based on YourRoots Map data
VIEW THE ORIGIN OF SURNAME VILJOEN
Famous People With Viljoen Surame?
Marais Viljoen
Marais Viljoen (2 Dec 1915 – 4 Jan 2007) was the last ceremonial State President of South Africa from 1979 to 1984. He held the non-executive position during a time of political transition in the country. Viljoen was known for his moderate stance within the National Party, which implemented apartheid policies. After retiring from public life, he remained interested in politics. Viljoen's image was even featured on the 1985 1 Rand coin. He passed away in 2007 and received a state funeral in recognition of his service to the nation.
Constand Viljoen
Constand Laubscher Viljoen (28 Oct 1933 – 3 Apr 2020) was a South African Army officer and politician known for co-founding the Afrikaner Volksfront and later the Freedom Front. General Viljoen served as Chief of the South African Defence Force and directed military operations in Angola. He played a key role in the transition to universal suffrage in South Africa, leading to the formation of the Freedom Front political party. Viljoen's decision to contest elections in 1994 helped prevent armed resistance by the far right, earning him recognition for promoting peace and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.
Hardus Viljoen
GC Hardus Viljoen (March 6, 1989) is a South African professional cricketer known for his time playing for the Lions in domestic cricket and making a Test match appearance for the South Africa national team. He is a right-arm fast bowler who has also played for Kent County Cricket Club and various other teams around the world. Viljoen's notable career highlights include taking the wicket of England captain Alastair Cook with his first ball in Test cricket and being selected for teams like Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League and the Rotterdam Rhinos in the Euro T20 Slam. Off the field, he is married to Rhemi Rynners, the sister of South African cricketer Faf du Plessis.
Gerrit Viljoen
Gerrit Van Niekerk Viljoen (11 Sep 1926 - 29 Mar 2009) was a prominent South African government minister and member of the National Party. He held various key positions, including Chair of the Broederbond, Minister of Education, and Minister of Constitutional Development. Viljoen was known for his involvement in shaping constitutional models for a "new South Africa" and his role in negotiations with the African National Congress. He was a father of seven children and made significant contributions to South African politics before retiring in 1992 due to health reasons.
Colin Viljoen
Colin Viljoen (June 20, 1948) is a retired South African-born English footballer known for his time playing midfield for Ipswich Town, Manchester City, and Chelsea. He earned two caps for England under manager Don Revie, contributing to Ipswich's 1977-78 FA Cup victory. After his retirement, Viljoen ran a pub in Uxbridge before coaching youth football in South Africa. He was named Ipswich Town Player of the Year in 1974-75 and remains a notable figure in English football history.
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