AboutJedediah Expertise I can answer questions about everyday life in Germany, German culture, traditions and language (no translations of more than 50 words). I can also answer questions about WWII in Germany.
Experience I am German and I currently live in Hamburg.
Expert: Jedediah Date: 7/20/2008 Subject: last name?
Question Im sorry for bothering you with this, but noone in my dads family can seem to answer this question for me. my great grandfathers generation came to the states from germany, and when they got here, their last name was changed to Moseman- now, im trying to dig up some family history, and I cant do that under our americanized name. Now, ive been given two options, and I cant figure out which ones right- I dont even have my great grandfathers full name (neither does anyone else, for that matter- he was always 'Father' or Grandfather Moseman. Which one do you think is most likely, Mauseman or Mouseman???
Answer Dear Brandi,
thank you for your question.
Mausemann or Mausmann, definitely. Mouseman would sound very weird in German (more like Mooseman), there's no "ou" in German, only in words that were assumed from other languages, like French.
The name might also have been Moosmann, which sounds like Moseman when an English-speaking person says it.
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer