wileman emigrants to south africa

[dalew01new]

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHEN THE FIRST WILEMAN FAMILY MEMBER EMIGRATED TO SOUTH AFRICA,ALSO IF ANYBODY CAN HELP ME WITH FINDING OUT THE ORIGIN OF THE WILEMAN NAME.

[Mole]

You may know already that there are several references to WILEMAN on the NAAIRS index www.national.archives.gov.za/
If the family came into Natal by sea, it's possible that the surname may come up on the European Immigration Index and I will check that for you when next I am working in the EI index in Pietermaritzburg.
As to the origin of WILEMAN, it may have a similar derivation to WILES or WYLES - from Old English meaning 'trick' or Middle English 'wyle' which was a basket or trap for catching fish.  Another possibility is that WILEMAN is a contraction of WILDMAN, which meant just that.    Regards, Mole

[dalew01new]

Thank-you for the info, if you find anymore about the wileman name can you please send it to me.

[rutti tutti]

Hi there,
Have a look at the NAAIRS Site
 http://www.national.archsrch.gov.za/sm300cv/smws/sm300gi?200507151834296DEC4228%26DB%3DRSAE 
Click on the RSA to get to the search page and then type in Wileman. You will see that there are 68 references to Wilemans in South Africa. The earliest is around the turn of the century. By applying for a death notice you may find some birthplaces.
There is a marriage for a William Henry Wileman, divorced on 18/10/1890 in Beaconsfield to Lydia Wilkins.
Sorry no more at this stage.
ruth