Surname Moerdyk - Meaning and Origin
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Moerdyk: What does the surname Moerdyk mean?
Moerdyk is a Dutch surname of occupational origin. The name is derived from the Dutch words "moer" meaning "peat", and "dijk" meaning "dyke". Therefore, it can be interpreted as a topographic name for someone who lived near a dike in a peat area. It could also possibly be an occupational name for a worker or supervisor at such a location. Over the years, it has transformed into various spellings due to immigration and translation. Like many surnames of this nature, it would have been descriptive, helping to identify where a person lived, came from, or made their livelihood, in a time when fixed family surnames were not yet in general use. Its relevance as an identifier has faded, but the name remains a link to the histories and geographies of the past.
Order DNA origin analysisMoerdyk: Where does the name Moerdyk come from?
The last name Moerdyk is most commonly found in South Africa today. It is an Afrikaans-origin name, coming from Afrikaans words meaning 'he who stands like a tower', a comment on the physical stature of the origin of the name.
There are over 2,100 people registered in South Africa with the Moerdyk name. This concentration is largely due to the waves of Dutch colonialists who arrived in the 1600s to colonize the country. Many of them still carry surnames of Dutch origin, and the Afrikaans variation of the Dutch name Maartensdyk has become Moerdyk.
Moeerdyk is also seen in immigrant populations in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. In the US, there are approximately 170 people with the name, and in Canada it is seen in a few major cities like Toronto. In the UK, there is a small concentration of Moerdyks in Bristol and London, with a few more dotted around the country.
The Moerdyk name is distinguished by its Afrikaans origin, and has been carried and passed on by these Dutch immigrants for centuries, making this name an important part of the rich cultural heritage of many people of Afrikaner descent.
Variations of the surname Moerdyk
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Moerdyk are Mördyk, Mördig, Mordig, Mordyk, Mordyck, Moerydck, Mørdyk, Merdyk, Merdijk, Mardijk, Mardijck, Mardick, and Moerdijk.
The surname Moerdyk is of Dutch origin, and is derived from the word 'moor', and 'dyk', which refers to the embankment or dam. In Dutch, the word "dyk" means "a sunken path, a ditch, embankment ditch, or a dam". Hence the surname Moerdyk literally meant 'ditch of the moors'.
There has been a lot of variation in the way Moerdyk has been spelled, which is not unusual as Dutch was not a written language until the Medieval period. In the 11th century, the variation in the spelling of the word was caused by wooden or metal typesets not having the right variations of the letters they needed to spell the name correctly.
The fact that the surname includes the word 'moor' is also significant as it implies that the family is most likely of Dutch origin, as moors were important features in Dutch geography.
The first recorded version of the surname is in 1465, when a person named 'Jacob Motdiks' appeared in a court record. In 1545, the spelling of the surname was still not standardised, as 'Jan Moertijck' appeared in a record. By 1584, the spelling of the surname had changed slightly to 'Cornelis Moerdijk'.
By the 18th century, the spelling of the surname Moerdyk had changed to its modern form, and the most common variations were Mordig, Mardijk, and Moerdijk. However, even today it is still possible to find spellings such as Mördyk, Merdyk, Merdijk, and Mardick being used by descendants of the original Dutch family.
Famous people with the name Moerdyk
- Louis Moerdyk: South African rugby union footballer who played three test matches for the Springboks in 1949 and 1950.
- Sithabile Moerdyk: South African broadcast journalist and television presenter, best known for her work on the SABC2 magazine show 50|50.
- Brad Moerdyk: South African animation director and visual artist, he works extensively in the film, television and commercial animation industry.
- Craig Moerdyk: South African film producer and writer, most known for his work on the hit South African movie, Chappie.
- Chris Moerdyk: South African marketing, public relations and branding consultant, author and corporate speaker.
- Ashleigh Moerdyk: South African actress and singer, best known for her leading role in the 2019 feature film, Keeping up with the Kandasamys.
- Chantal Moerdyk: South African curator and arts and culture activist, best known for her work at South Africa's longest running Zulu theatre troupe Mbongeni Msimang & Educational Theatre Works.
- Andre Moerdyk: South African photographer and artist, best known for his work on commercial Wi-Fi campaigns and images for the Nelson Mandela Museum.
- Robyn Moerdyk: South African cyclist and mountain biker, she has participated in the Tour of Goodhope and the Absa Cape Epic.
- Amor Moerdyk: South African swimmer, she was part of the South African team that won the bronze medal in the 4 x 200 m freestyle relay at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.