" I cannot hear your voice, but in the secret places of my heart, I listen to the sound of your footsteps"

--Yehuda Ha Levi

~VOICES OF MY PAST~..................                      

 

Study of surname Maymí/Maimí and its variants.

Notes on the origins & genealogy of Pérez/Perez

 

WELCOME

These are voices of my past and what I have learned about them.  My findings, its sources, and  diverse theories and opinions.  It is a tribute to those who were my ancestors and testimony of their existence.  In this virtual world, their memory will remain.

This document intends to be a source and a way of sharing the information gathered, of which, each source is solely responsible of the veracity of its content.  It is a long-term project that welcomes new documented information.  This version is, and will be, mainly in the English language, with some exceptions, which will lose their meaning if translated, or because I have not been able to find the equivalent in English.  You will encounter Castilian, Catalán and French languages.  Note:  The underlined words in green are links.  Thank you for pointing out the defective ones.

 Copyright  Notice: ALL the material in this site is Copyrighted © Reg. to U.S. Copyright Office. It must not be used under any circumstances without written permission of the webmaster.  Any references to it must have the acknowledgement or quote of its source and of its author.  All rights reserved.

~Margarita Maymí Pérez

 

CONTENTS

[The Sephardic Theory] [The Catalan Theories] [Considerations] [Maymí in history] [My direct ancestors: Ten generations] [The emigrants] [One final note] [Curiosities] [Sources] [Other Links] [Additional bibliography] [Acknowledgments] [E-mail    

 

INTRODUCTION

The sound and spelling of family names have evolved throughout history.  Names have been influenced by, and adapted to, different languages, political, geographical and territorial circumstances, ethnicity, religion, culture and personal choice.

Many times, as it appears in civil and church archives, names were recorded as they were understood or provided.  Based on these facts, some family names could present different or several origins, depending on the sources. Today we are witnesses of this cross-cultural evolution as part of an accelerating historical process.

I share with the reader the historical notions of the origin of the surname, as well as its geographical location, both, in the antiquity and in the present.  These, and its variants, will give us a clearer idea of its origin and of its evolution, though still much is to be discovered.

As we learn about our genealogy and become more aware of our identity, we also become more aware of other people's diversity and, consequently, we can have a better understanding of humanity. 

Unfortunately, we also have learned throughout the repetition of historical errors, that this understanding not only depends on the individual or even the community's good will, but on the governments decisions which are responsible, in most part, of what happens in the world.

       

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ORIGIN and MEANING of MAYMI/MAIMI and its VARIANTS

 

King David plays the harp

THE SEPHARDIC THEORY  

The source of the name Maymí or Maimí is in the Hebrew language itself, and it is  pronounced (read it like it was Spanish) MEY-MI .  It is the adjective form of the noun "MAYIM" which means water, so its origin is based on pure Hebrew linguistics. An example is the word "shamayim" (shama-yim) which means sky or heaven. Its adjective form is "shemaymi" (shemey-mi) = celestial, heavenly.  The root is MAIM.  Mayim, is also an euphemism for knowledge. The more resembling surname that exists in Israel today is "MEI-AMI" which means "waters of my town".   (Sources: Benjamín Nahman, Mathilde Tagger, Schelly Talalay Dardashti and several other that agree).

Mayim is also the acronym of Rabi Meir Yeduda Maymon.  And Maymii the acronym of "Mi Yiten Metsion Yeshuat Yisrael", that means: Who will give from Tsion the salvation to Israel. (Sources: Ídem).  Actually, the use of Mayim, as name or surname is very scarce.

The surname Maymí/Maimí appears in the: "Consolidated Jewish Surname Index", (S.) and in the book "Les Noms des Juifs du Maroc" by Abraham I. Laredo. Institut Montano (Madrid, CSIC, 1978). On page 819, entry no.760, Laredo says: "Maimi, Maymi, Mimé, Meme: Name derived from the Hebrew "Mayim" = water or sea, it relates to the "aquatic" or "maritime" element. See the equivalents in Spanish "De la Mar" (no. 648) and Arabic "Labhar" (no. 653). Another graphies found in ancient Spanish documents are 'Mime' and 'Meme'.

Saul Aben Mime, one of the 14 rabbis who took part in the controversy of the Council of Tortosa in 1413-1414. ("Historia Social, Política y religiosa de los judios de España y Portugal" por: José Amador de los Rios, p. 435).

Rabi Yuce Meme, of Cuéllar, is beneficiary of the will of Doña Mencia Enriquez, duchess of Alburquerque, deceased in 1479 in Segovia. (Baer II, p. 422.,  Antonio Rodríguez Villa: "Bosquejo Biográfico de Beltrán de la Cueva" pub. at the end of the XIX century. and Archivo Histórico Municipal de Cuéllar).

Meme el Viejo, figures as the owner of a house in a lawsuit on the town of Cuéllar in 1498. (Baer II, p. 422).

Simeon Maimí: Rabbi in Segovia, XV century, probably the same Chief Rabbi of Portugal. (More to follow).

Simeon Maimí: Last Chief Rabbi of Portugal, *died in 1497.  (More to follow).

Natan Maimí: Rabbi of Fez, Morocco in the XVII century. (More to follow).

Simon (Simeon) Maimí is mentioned in the books:

Rabbis Simón Maimí and Natan Maimí are mentioned in the book: "Malkhei Rabanan" by Rabí Yosef Ben Naim, published in Jerusalem in Hebrew in 1931. (Biographical dictionary of the Rabbis of Morroco, pages. 99, col. 1 y 126, col.2).

Abraham Maimín, exegete and cabalistic poet, from the XVII century, mentioned in the German archives "Judisches Biographisches" No. I 457, 247-248. (Title of Source: Winiger S[alomon]. - Cernauti. - [1925] - (1936) (Bd. 1-7). (W.B.I.). and Cabbalah).

 The Maimín surname also appears documented in Taradell, Vich, Barcelona, according to the  "Fogatge" or 1553 census, # 993.  The  Maymín variant appears as the surname of cantor Nuchym Maymín of the synagogue of Bedzin, Poland, born there in 1773.  In Estambul, it appears in the marriage record of Mose Merkante and Reyna Maymín, the 15 of November, 1896.  And  it appears, clearly, among the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, 1941-45, in Latvia, Russia, Belorusia, Lituania, Poland, and in cementeries of Scandinavia.  These two variants are in use at present.  (Fogatge 1553; Family Search; Jewishgen, American Sephardi Federation, ref. 48 (2) y Istanbul Jewish Genealogy Project).  

Regarding de equivalents for Maymí in Spanish; "De la Mar, Del Mar and Delmar" (A. Laredo, p.707 # 648), and the Arabic "Lebhar and Elbhar" (A. Laredo p.717 # 653), we find them documented in:

De la Mar is found in Richardstone, Derby, England, abt.. 1200, birth of William De La Mar.   (Family Search).

Catarina Anna Delmar, in her baptismal record of 1575, La Bisbal, Girona, Spain. (Family Search). 

In 1597 in Cassà de la Selva, Girona, in the death record of Antoni Aymerich Johes Delmar Noguera. (LD 1, Cassà, Fol. 44).  

In 1675, in Cassà de la Selva, Girona, in the death record of  Mateu Delmar.  (LD 1, Cassà, 30 Sep.)

Subsequently, we find these variats through, Europe and The Americas, from the XVI century on, in birth, marriage and death certificates, and civil registries. (Family Search). 

Shalom de la Mar, rabbi and  merchant from the XVIII century in Mazagan, Atlantic Coast of Morocco.

Mordekhay de la Mar, son of Shalom, rabbi, merchant and  financier, president of the Israelite community of  Mazagan in 1786.  He was counselor and banker of the Sultan of Morocco, Sidi Mohamen Abdellah.  Both, also, mentioned by Yaaqob Moshe Toledano in his book "Sepher Ner ha-Maarab", p. 48,49, 52 y 166.  His siblings were stablished in Amsterdam, Mogador, now Essaouira and Mazagan .

Emmanuel Delmar and Abraham Benatar published in Gibraltar, in 1843, "La Crónica Israelita".  Also mentioned by A.B.M. Serfaty in the book "The Jews of Gibraltar under British Isles", 1933.

Abraham and Shalom Delmar, were sons of Jacob and bankers in Tangier.

Marcos Delmar, son of Shalom, was born in Tangier in 1895.  He was administrator of the synagogue "Rabbi Yahya Auday" of that city.

Salomón Lebhar, rabbi of Marrakech in the XVIII-XIX centuries.  Mentioned, also, by Joseph Ben Naim in his book "Malkhei Rabanan".  The surname is found later through Europe and The Americas.

 

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THE CATALAN THEORIES                          

Statistically, this name exists in small numbers and in a limited number of countries.  It is a general consensus in Catalonia that this surname is uniquely Catalan, and that the original spelling had the letter "i" in the middle.  These four spellings are considered the same name and phonetically, in catalan, they are pronounced identically, thus being an acute word, the final "r" is mute.  Francesc B. Moll said in his article "L'Ortografia dels cognoms o llinatges", writen the 16 of June, 1963 and published in El Correo Catalán: "Many centuries ago, the final "r" turned mute in most Catalan words"  This explains why its orthography has been used indistinctively in old documents. According to reliable genealogy and heraldic dictionaries of Catalonia, all families with this name are originally from the province of Girona.  Nevertheless, in the first edition of "Diccionari Aguiló", 1924, we read: "Maimí; lineage of Barcelona".  To what I add the information received from Benet Maimí y Pou of Arenys de Mar, Barcelona: "Surname of Catalan origin, with ancestral dwelling in Barcelona, found widely in the Catalan region and later in Aragón, Valencia and Baleares".  (No source specified).  This surname is found relatively in few towns of Girona, and also in few towns of the coastal area of the province of Barcelona.  (Sources: Carles Maymí i Bou; Joaquim Mundet Creus and several dictionaries of Catalan onomastics.  See bibliography).

José Balari Jovany says in its book "Historic Origins of Catalonia", 1896 p. 546: "Surnames originating from Germanic names, .... "Mirus"....Aymamir, Maymir and Maymí ....from Ermemir, lat. Armamirus... year 977 - Marca Hispánica".

According to the book "Els Llinatges Catalans" by Francesc B. Moll, published by Editorial Moll of Mallorca, 1987: " Maimir and Maimí are of the group of lineages that represent the paternal or maternal names, and are of Germanic origin, deriving from the name "Ermemir" >Aymamir >Maymir and Maymí".  The source of this hipotesis is based on the book "Orígenes Históricos de Cataluña", p. 546, by Joseph Balari i Jovany, 1899.    

The surname Aymamí is found in Madrid in 1752 on the birth of Toribio Alfaro Aymamí and in Lérida on 1786 on the birth of Irene Busquets Aymami. (Family Search). There is no proof that this surname is an evolution of Ermemir.

Names of Germanic origin are more abundant in the regions of the North East of Catalonia: L'Empordá, El Gironés, La Garrotxa and La Selva. It was in that area where the basic population of la "Marca Hispánica" was constituted. Moll mentions the surnames; Mainal, Mainau, Mainar, Maynar, Mainer, Maine, Maines, Mayner, Maynes as derived from the old high German substantive "MAGAN or MAGIN", which means force, might. 

-- Other meanings found for "Magan": 1) Ancient land on the coast of Oman, source of cooper & diorite for the states of Mesopotamia, mentioned by Sumerian cuneiform texts. 2) Referring to the region of the Sinai as; "The place of strength, walled land". 3) In Hebrew; to deliver up, give; a denominative from 'magen'= shield, protector. 4) Verb, meaning to be able to, to have power, be competent. (Taken from various sources in internet).

-- Meanings found for "ERMIN" : 1) Bishop from Lobbes, Belgium during the VIII century. (Catholic Encyclopedia). 2) "Strong in the arm" - old Germanic. (www.dictionary.com). 3) Male name found in Slovenia, Czechoslovakia, and Germany. (Google). 4) Name of a Germanic town. (Francesc B. Moll). 5) Germanic names in the Low Lands until 1100: Irmin (= Tiwaz or Ziu, a tribal deity) also: connected, mighty Em, Ermen, Ermin, Hermen, Hirmen, Im, Immu, Irmen. (Germanic names in the low lands...)

-- Meanings found for: > "MAI/ MAY" = 1) Water in Arabic. 2) Roman goddess of growth and increase. 3) German fem. name. (New Babylon dictionary). > "MIR" = 1) me, myself, (object form of first person) in the German language. 2) Persian male name. 3) (Tirich) Mir = highest peak in the Hindu Kush mountain system. (Britannica.com).

The "Dictionari Català-Valencià-Balear" (vol. 7 ), by Antoni Ma. Alcover and Francesc B. Moll says: Maimir = existing lineage in Girona, Figueres, Caldes de Malavella, Cassà de la Selva, Sta. Coloma de Farners, Campllong, Peratallada, Palamós, Palafrugell, Castell d' Aro, Tossa, Blanes, Vic, Barcelona, Mataró, Granollers, Llinars, Arenys de Mar, Valls, etc. Etymology: from the germanic personal name, Ermemir, according to Jovany Balari's; "Historic Origins of Catalonia", (p. 546).

In the "Dictionari  Aguiló" by Marià Aguiló y Fuster, (1rst. ed., 1924), we read: "Maimí = lineage of Barcelona", and the same thing of Maymí and Maymich. "Maymir = lineage of Codinas, Barcelona; and Ortsavinyà, 1782".

The "Dictionnaire des noms de famille de France, (et d'ailleurs)" supports this theory under the name Maymil, found in Formiguères, Pyrénées-Orientales, France, as corresponding to Maymir/Maimir, found in Catalonia, Sp, as of Germanic origin: Ermemir from "ermen"= inmense + Mir"=ilustrious.

According to the book of Etienne Badie on the history of the region of Capcir and its inhabitants, the Maymil surname appears, for the first time, in a document written in Latin  This document, that dated the 26 of August of 1595, referes to the confirmation of the right of property of a piece of land, in it appeared the names of Bartomeu, Joan and Estève Maymil. It is probable that this information came from Puigcerdà, Girona, which reinforces the notion that Maymil is a French variant of Maymí or Maymir(Sources: Mme.Laurence Pujol.  Etienne Badie: “Histoire du Capcir et des Capcinois”, Ed. Revue Terra Nostra à Prades).

In the region of Aquitania, to the South west of France, have existed what could be variants of the surname:  Meymy yr. 1280, Maimie yr. 1665 and Maimia yr. 1779.  (Source: Philippe Dubedout).  Also,  the surname Maymat exists in Rieumes in the Haute Garonne, since 1605, according to its archivist, who believes that this surname comes from a Catalan family of  jewish origin. ([email protected] )  

 The name Ermemir appears as having belonged to different persons:

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Can (house of) Maimí (photo 1) (photo 2), 16__?, appears in the book "Atles Topogràfic de Catalonia", Vol.I, in the district of Girona between the municipalities of Llambilles and Cassà de la Selva, 7.5 Km. S-SE of Girona and 2.25 Km. SE of Llambilles.  In the family files of Muixach de Montroig of Cassà de la Selva, appears Joseph Maymí, 1733, as former owner of the Mas (Can) Maymí of Llambilles. (Property assesment no. 813).

 

  Mas (rural property) Maimí (map), appears in the same book, in the low Ampurdan, province of Girona, at 19.5 Km. South-West of the city of Girona, 1.75Km South-West of Romanyá de la Selva, in the municipality of Santa Cristina d'Aro. It rises 140 m over sea level.

 

Maison (house) Maymi (photo), 1683, or "Maymie". Exists in the territory   of the community of Montaut, Les Landes, in Aquitaine, South-West of France.  (map).

 

Can (house of) Maimi, in Caldes de Malavella.  Situated North   East  of the municipal limits of Cassa de la Selva, close to the vicinity of Esclet. (map)

 

 

 

 

Puig (hill) Maymi exists as a toponym, in Romanyà de la Selva, situated in the vicinity of La Bruguera in the grounds of the mas 'la Casa Nova d'en Bota', in the municipality of Santa Cristina d'Aro.

 

 

 In the Fogatge of 1497 by the historian and geographer Josep Iglésies Fort, (Study and complete transcription, town to town, of the census for tax effects, done in Catalonia, including the Rousillon and the French Cerdagne Valley, in 1497), appears  one "Guerau Mayni"  in the town of "Lo Vilar", pertaining to La Bisbal, and one "Lo Ferrer Mayvir" (Ferrer = blacksmith) in Vidrieres.  Because  when transcribing, errors were habitual, there is a great  probability that they were the first Maymí(r)  that arrived in Girona.  So far, we can conclude, that this surname has not been found in Catalonia before *1497.  

In the church archives, the oldest documented dates found, as of now, are: *1505 for Maymí, in the baptismal record of Catarina Maymí, daughter of Roche and Francesca,  from the church of San Feliu, Girona. *1552 for Maymir in the baptismal record of Margarida Peferer Maymir, daughter of Pere, from Caldas de Malavella.  In the 1553 census we find in the towns of Caldes de Malavella one Garau Meymir and in Llagostera one Antich Maymir.  (Source: Fogatge 1553 of Cataluña) *1596 for Maimir, in the baptismal record of  Margarida Magdalena Maimir, daughter of Pere and Magdalena, from the church of Santa Maria, La Bisbal, all in the province of Girona, Spain. *1643 for Maimí, in the  marriage record of Margret Maimi, in Schupfheim, Luzern, Switzerland. (from: Family Search).  

The church registries in Spain began in the second half of the XVI century, by order of the Council of Trento (1545-1563).  From then on, the spelling of the surnames were consolidated to a large extent - although not definitely-  due to the obligation imposed to keep the parochial registries, which were reviewed and approved by the bishops.

 Maymir is documented in Northeast England in a marriage record from the 30 of July, 1641, being the surname of the bride, and in France in 1688 in Le Bourget, Savoie, being also the surname of the bride, named Marie Helene Maymir. Later it appears documented in Prussia during the XIX century (1812), as the surname of Charles Maymir and his family who emigrated to the US, according to the 1880 census.  Maymí appears the 16th of November, 1676 in the baptismal record of Marzela Maymi Sisa in Santiago, Sandia, Puno, Perú,  (Rootsweb & Familys Search).

For the frequency of the surname in Catalonia in 2004, please consult the statistics of "Noms i cognoms de la població" at:  http://www.idescat.net/orpi/Orpi?TC=M

 

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A FEW CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THESE THEORIES

  Catalonia is the result of a long and continuous process, and it is impossible to fix an exact date. It is known that this process began in the IX century under Charlemagne,

Coronation of Charlemagne 

Some traditions refer the arrival of the Jews in Spain to the Phoenician period, around 587 B.C.E. According to documented data, Jewish settlements already existed in the Iberian peninsula since the Greco-Roman period. (1 Maccabees,8-3). The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus took place in the year 70, thus beginning the Jewish Diaspora through the Mediterranean. The first settlements along the Mediterranean coast took place in the II century, (a.c), according to archeological remains found mainly in the cities of Ampurias, Mataró, Tarragona, Tortosa, Adra, Málaga, Cádiz and Mérida.

From the Visigoth period, beginning with the conversion of King Reccared (586-601) in 589, during the II Toledo Council, and under the new laws of his successor, King Sisebur (612-621), who initiated a cruel persecution against the Jews, the first significant number of conversions of the Sephardim to Christianism took place,  At that time many Sephardim emigrated to North Africa.

It is believed that in the Visigoth, and later Arab periods, some Jewish families lived already in Girona. The first documented evidence of the existence of a Jewish community in the province of Girona, dates from the year 882 in Sant Pere de Juïgues, a rural property between the towns of Vilamarí and Galliners, Orfes and Sant Marçal de Quarentella, inside the municipality of Vilademuls, where they lived from agriculture. Their presence in the city of Girona is known between the years 888 and 890 when Count Dela I, d'Ampurias,(845-894), who ruled between 878 and 894, bought this rural property, and had its inhabitants, twenty five Sephardic families, moved to the city. There, they rented old houses, built around the cathedral, that belonged to the clergy, according to a document from the year 1002, where Pope Silvester II mentions the taxes paid by the Jews. This was the beginning of the formation of the "Call", or Jewish quarter. The first reference to it, appears in a document dated in 1160. (Call= from the latin root, callis (street); in Catalan= narrow path.)  The Aljama (Jewish community) of Girona, as all the ones belonging to the kingdom, was protected by the king in exchange for an special tax. At the end of the XI century good relationships flourished between both communities and Judaism developed as an integral part of the society.

In the XII century the Jewish community of Girona was one of the most important in Spain, and attained its height with its center of the Cabbala, (in Hebrew, received tradition). Its contribution was fundamental for the development of the Cabbala. The city was known by "Mother of Israel".

Through the centuries, this coexistence went through different phases. Following the violent pogroms and murders of  many Jews during the tragic events of 1391, the number of conversions to Christianity rose sharply. Baptism was chosen as the only possible means to avoid death, a life of constant fear, as well as to preserve the goods and wealth built up during many years of hard work.

The most important Jewish settlements in the province of Girona were in the area of the coast and in the interior, like Cadaqués, San Feliu de Guíxols and La Cerdanya, where they consolidated in Puigcerdá. This was also a period of great difficulties for the Jewish community on the other side of the Pyrenees, sufficient cause to flee from persecution and settle in parts of the province of Girona, being some of them: Camprodon in the Ripollés, La Bisbal, Torroella de Mongrí, Peratallada, Alta Empordá, Vilademuls, Figueres, Banyoles, Olot y Castelló D'Empuries.  Besalú and the city of Girona were the most important, for their number, economic and cultural influence and for the mark left on the old part of the two cities.

Sephardic family names were well developed in Aragón by the year 1213, being many of them of Hebrew derivation. Some of biblical extract, others not so, like: Alay, Bonjuà, Maimo, Meyr, Mussons and Xarom. In addition, many Jews also had names of Latin origin. In Medieval documents they appear as: Astruch, Bonet, Cresques, Llobet, Picó, Rosell, Vidal, etc. At that time, Catalonia was part of the Kingdom of Aragón, (map).

It was common in the Middle Ages to take the name of the father or another ancestor, as a family name. For example; in the " Jornades D'Historia dels Jueus a Catalonia" by the Ajuntament de Girona, (p.157) , "Membres Prominents de L'Aljama de Girona com a Jueus Despres dels Avalots" (1391), we find: Bonjuha Maymó and Maymó Bonjuha; Vidal Bonet and Bonet Vidal, as four different persons.

During this time, the variants of family names were interchanged, and some were applied as diminutives of the same name.  Prior to 1492 we find these spellings with the root Maim, in the Iberian peninsula:

Maimó  Maimón Maymarán Maimonell Maymunchel Maimona
Maymó Maymón Maymerán Maymonell Maymonellet Maimoni

The mention of the Maymó surname, its origin and variants is of given relevance due to its phonetic proximity, the sharing of the Hebrew root "Maim" and the presence of both surnames, although scarce, in Catalonia, in the Middle Ages, as much as today.

In documents from the Middle Ages, Maymó/Maimó is found since the yr. 1214, with some frequency, among the Jews of Girona and the Balearic Islands, not so often in the rest of Catalonia and Valencia.

Regarding a possible relationship between Maymí/Maimí and Maymó/Maimó the opinions differ. According to some, these names are tied as having the same roots, while others, based on the etymology of the names, claim they are very different, despite that they are phonetically close. Maymó seems more related to Maimón. As it was said before, Maymí/Maimí derives from the Hebrew word "Mayim"= water/sea, while Maimón derives from the Hebrew word "Mamón"= fortune/treasure. Maimón is a first name, meaning in Hebrew "good chance", it exists in two of the Semitic languages, Arabic and Hebrew. The most remote dates found so far refer to Aben Maimón, versed in letters, erudite from Spain, year 1007 and to the rabinic judge Rabbi  Maimón Hadayán, from Córdoba, father of  Moses ben Maimónides.

The "SPANISH DICTIONARY of SURNAMES", editorial ESPASA CALPE INC. Madrid 2001. Authors. Roberto Faure, María Asunción Ribes and Antonio García says:  "Maimó not a frequent surname, registered almost in an exclusive way in the Balearic Islands. It proceeds from the personal Arab and Hebrew name Maimûn, that signifies "happy". It is a lineage transmitted by the "moriscos". Of the same Arabian etymology is the surname Maimón, disseminated and not found very frequently in Spain".  

From the Book: "GUIDE OF JEWISH PATRONYMS" published by Beith Hatefutsoth, editions Solin Actes Sud. Edition 1996: "MAYMUN": Maimon, Meim(o)un, Meimouni, Mimoun(e), Mimouni, Maimo, Maimun or Maimon mean "Lucky" or "Happy" in Arabic and "Calm" or "Slow" in Catalan. This name gave rise to many Jewish surnames: Ben Maimon (indexed in Northern Africa in the XI century), Meimun, Meimouni, Mimoun, Mimoune, Mimouni, Maimo.  Maimón, writen in Hebrew, is spelled just as Mimoun and Mimouni.  Variants all in use today.

Until now,  Maimí, or its variants, have not been found in the Iberian Penninsula before 1496, date that appeared in the person of  Rabi Simón Maimí.  The surname began to appear at the same time in Girona, that is, at the end of century XV.

Previously I have mentioned  that according to some Catalan authors, the etymology of Maymir and its variants comes from the name Ermemir, which existed in Girona between the IX and the XII century. Nevertheless, the fact that calls the attention is that there are at least three centuries between the disappearance of Ermemir with no trace of evolution, and the appearance of Maymir.  This fact  debilitates this hypothesis.   

A possible explanation to it is that, although maybe being of a different etymology, Maymí/Maimí is a posterior derivation of Maymó/Maimó.  Or.......as some think, could it be the reverse?  The fact that they are different words, etymologically, in relation to the language, does not make impossible that  one could be derived from the other.  This remains to be probed.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

 

We have to consider that in Visigothic Spain, as well as in Medieval Spain it existed an absolute identification between the political community and the religious community. Civil laws were submitted to the Christian faith. It was not about racism, but about religious fanatism. Political unity was based in religious unity. Meanwhile, the Inquisition became an instrument of the state. Historically, it could be concluded that the destabilization came from the popular masses influenced by the clergy and therefore, filled of prejudices against the Jews.

History tells us that long before Spain expelled its Jews, they were forced to convert or suffer expulsion, from most of the kingdoms of Europe.

It is also a historical fact that in addition to the great persecutions, the Sefardim, enjoyed long periods of prosperity and tolerance in Spain and were under the protection of the Christian monarchs or the Muslim taifas, due to the great benefits that they contributed to their kingdoms. Besides distinguishing themselves as merchants and craftsmen of textiles and jewels, as builders and navigators, the Sephardim distinguished themselves for their intellectual accomplishments as philosophers, physicians, astronomers, historians, notary publics and translators. One of the most remarkable examples was Moses Ben Maimon (1135-1204), known as Maimónides or Rambam, considered as the greatest Jewish thinker of the Middle Ages. His statue, on the left,  can be seen at la judería of Córdoba, Spain. (Photo taken during my visit in the year 2000).  

After vacillating periods between persecution and tolerance, forced conversions and voluntary conversions, throughout several centuries, religious intolerance grew, ending with the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. The Sephardim emigrated to Morocco, to Portugal until 1497, from where they were also expeled, to the Ottoman Empire since 1391, to the Balkans, to Italy, to Egypt, to Palestine and to Syria. Some went to the Netherlands, to Amsterdam, to Hamburg and to London. In newly discovered America they settled mainly in the West Indies and in North America. As they found more tolerant countries, many conversos returned to Judaism.

These historical facts make us think that the Catholic Kings trusted that most Jews would convert, and only a small minority would choose exile. It is evident that this was their wish, it is proven in the extension granted before their exit and the intensification of the religious preaching.  But their deception proved to be profound, the Sephardim gave an elevated example of fidelity to their religious conscience, and left Sepharad in great numbers.

Although historical conflicts generally have two faces, human cruelty does not seem to have limits when its roots and motivation are political or religious radicalism.

By preserving their Judeo-Hispanic culture, the Sephardim also preserved the pride of their Hispanic origin. The hatred that victimized them, could not destroy their culture.

Eventually, a considerable number of the descendants of the conversos, merged into the Spanish society, which contributed to enrich the character of the Spanish people. In many instances, they became part of the nobility, held prominent positions in the church's hierarchy or in the Spanish government.

Today and after more than five centuries, most of these descendants have no idea of their ancestry. The general ignorance about this dark and unfortunate period of Spanish history is the result of it, being "officially" ignored by the educational process, strongly influenced by the Catholic Church.

Surnames of biblical or Hebrew derivation still exist in Spain.  But we must consider that in addition, the Sephardim also adopted, for historical reasons, already displayed, surnames from the languages spoken in the Iberian Peninsula at that time, some of them common to non Jewish families.

According to the Catalan philologist Santi Arbós, it do not seem to exist Catalan surnames of Arab or Hebrew origin except ''Maymó''. 

  At the moment, there is no indication of a contrast between the Sephardic and the Catalan theories, being these historically reconcilables.  In synthesis, logically, the second could be a continuation of the first.

Surnames, in general do not indicate by themselves an specific origin unless historically proven.  Having a particular surname does not always mean that a person belongs to a specific lineage or ethnic group. It will be necessary to investigate the genealogy of each individual family to be able to reach a definitive conclusion.

Unfortunately, the investigation of Jewish ancestry in Spain is specially difficult, because the ones that stayed there, conversos or not, did all they could, centuries ago, to erase and avoid leaving any trace of their identity behind by, mainly, changing, or adopting, common names and surnames. 

You are welcome to help complete these findings with new documented information.

"Truth, like oil, rises to the surface" (Judeo-Spanish proverb)

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MAYMI/MAIMI and its VARIANTS in HISTORY

Simon Maimí: Rabbi of Segovia. *Died in 1497.  Many reliable sources mention him as the last Chief Rabbi (Arrabi-Mor) of Portugal, a scrupulously pious man.  The attempt to convert Portuguese jewry by King Manuel by trying to force Rabbi Maimi to accept Christianity, occured during the spring of 1497, following the promulgation of the edict of expulsion on Dec. 4, 1496.   In october 1497, he resisted stoically forced baptism.  He, his wife, his sons in law, and a group of co-religionists, were imprisoned in the Palace of Estaos in Lisbon, because they would not renounce Judaism.  To bring them to conversion, Rabbi Maimí, his family and fellow official rabbis, probably Abraham b. Jacob Saba, Abraham b. Samuel Zacuto and Issac b. Joseph Caro, were tortured, thrown into a dungeon and immured up to their necks and left for several days. They remained firm, and when the walls were torn down, three had died, among them, Rab. Simon Maimí, whose conversion was most important. 

Two conversos risked their lives to secure the corpse, and took it to the Jewish burial-ground near Lisbon for interment, although it was strictly forbidden to bury Jewish victims of Christian sacrifice otherwise that by the executioner's hands. A few conversos secretly accompanied him to his last rest, and celebrated a funeral service over his grave.  (See bibliography).

The rest of the companions of Rab. Simon Maimí and his sons -in-law, six in total, were deported to Arzila, (Morocco), where they were forced to work in the trenches until their death. (From the books of A.Laredo, J. Nehama, C.Roth, H. Graetz and N. Slouschz).

Rabbi A. Zacuto went to North Africa with his son, Samuel and settled in Tunis. There, in 1504, he compiled his "Sefer ha-Yuhasin", a book of genealogies. Rabbi A. Saba of Zamora was a preacher, cabbalist, and biblical exegete who also went to North Africa. Rabbi Isaac Caro of Toledo and uncle of Rabbi Joseph Caro was a physician, and biblical commentator, author of several philosophical works and reponsae.  He went to Turkey and then to Jerusalem.

One of Rab. Maimí's "Responsae" to a consultation in Talavera, is preserved in the book "Kerem Hemer" by A. Ankawa (Vol.II, Livourne, 1871.) (A. Laredo). It deals with Toledo's statutes in a "Ketuba" (marriage contract).

Rab. Haim Yosef David Azulay wrote in his book that Simon was from Fez. (Biographical dictionary of the Rabbis of Morocco, page. 126, col. 2)

Evarist Maymí: 1538. Mestre de Senys, (Manufacturer of bells). Handicraft artist, Catalonia, Spain. (Archivo Biográfico de España, Portugal e Iberoamérica, Fiche: II 575,243. Title of Source: Ráfols: Diccionario biográfico de artistas de Cataluña: desde la época romana hasta nuestros días / Ráfols, José F.. -Barcelona. - 1951-1954 (3 v).  (World Biographical Index).

Juan Maymir: ?-1621. Vicar of S. María de Navarcles, town of the region of Bages, Province of Barcelona. (Catálogo Párrocos).  http://personales.com/espana/barcelona/indice/tebaida.html

Natan Maimí: 162_?. Rabbi of Fez, (Morocco) Following the devastation caused by the famine of 1638 in Morroco and the death of numerous whole families, he saw to leave us a list that he established using the "Ketubot" (marriage contracts), and other diverse documents of his time, to transmit to posterity the names of those he thought had disappeared. (A. Laredo). While still young he signed on the book "Nekudot HaKessel" and added: "I am the young Natan Maimi who wants to tell about some families from Morocco who disappeared during the famine which occurred in 5398" (1638). (Joseph Ben Naim, Biographical dictionary of the Rabbis of Morocco, Jerusalem, page. 99, col. 1)

Francesch Thomàs Maymir: 1760. Composer sardinista, La Bisbal, Girona, Spain. (W.B.I.).

Frederic Ballell Maymi: 1864 -1951. Photo-journalist, Founder of the Press Association, Barcelona. Born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, died in Barcelona, Spain. (La Vanguardia, news paper, April 04, 2000; Catalog of Spanish Journalists, XX century, Madrid 1980-81)  (W.B.I.).

Domingo Maymir: 1868. Tenor, Spain. (Archivo Biográfico de España, Portugal e  Iberoamérica, Fiche: I 583,341. Title of Source: Saldoni. Diccionario biográfico-bibliográfico de efemérides de músicos españoles /Saldoni y Remendo, Baltasar. - Madrid. - 1868-1881 (4 vols).  (W.B.I.).

Timoteo Susany Maymir: 1884. Writer, Spain. (Diccionario Biográfico de Artistas de Cataluña). (W.B.I.).

Xavier Maimí y Miró: 1888-1965. Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, Spain. Composer.  http://fed.sardanista.cat/

Xavier Carbo i Maymí: 1893-1918. Poet, born in Cassa de la Selva, Girona, Spain. (Biografías de Gerundenses, 1948). (W.B.I.).  

Narcis Olivia Maymí: 1913. Painter, draughtsman, Spain. (Diccionario Biográfico de Artistas de Cataluña). (W.B.I.).

Josep Ricart Maimir: 1925. Sculptor, Spain. (Diccionario Biográfico de Artistas de Cataluña). (W.B.I.).

Pascual Maymí Pons: 1926. Theologian, Spain. (Archivo Biográfico de España, Portugal e iberoamérica: Fiche: III 362,436. Círculo. Diccionario biográfico español contemporáneo.- Madrid.- 1970, Vols. I - III).  Diccionario Biográfico Español Contemporáneo. Madrid 1970). (W.B.I.).

Joan Torrens i Maymir: Catalonia, Spain. Contemporary violoncellist and musical promoter.   (W.B.I.).  http://www.clivis-music.com/compositors/autors/mercetorrents/mercetorrents.html

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POSSIBLE VARIANTS:

Pierre de Meymy: 1280-1340. Excideuil, 24, Aquitaine, France. Bourgeois d'Excideuil. (http://perso.respublica.fr/cdelmas/nobles/dat152.htm) [Web-site not available].

Almoys de Meymy or Mesmy (de Maimi): 1420-1501. Périgueux, 24, Aquitaine, France. Married to Bertrand d'AITZ (ou AIX). Descendant of Pierre. (http://perso.respublica.fr/cdelmas/nobles/dat52.htm#4) [Web-site not available] & (http://www.geneanet.org

"From the Alps to Périgord, "MAIME", name trans-occitan. There exists in Périgord, Aquitaine, a village called St-Mayme-of-Péreyrol in the canton of Vern. "Mayme" is a local translation of French "Maxime", and comes from the Latin Maximus, attested in the parish since the XIII century. The village of St-Mesmes, in Ile-de-France, would have the same origin. (PRENOMS DAU PEIREGÒRD by Joan-Loïs Lévêque).  http://prenoms.occitans.free.fr/listpre.html

Albert Dauzat, in his "DICTIONNAIRE des NOMS et PRENOMS de FRANCE", considers Maisme, Mesme, Maimon, Maismon, Maymon, Maymou, Mesmin as variants of the same name, coming  from old popular forms of one name; "MAXIME".

Jean-Pierre de Maimie: 1665. Parish archives of Doazit , Les Landes, in Aquitaine, France. "Legitime son of Jean de Maimie and Jeanne de __?__ born on September 22, 1665 and baptized next day in the church of Autès". Provided by Phillipe Dubedout.

Jeanne Maimie: 171_? Married Jean Labat in 1727, in the community of Nassiet, Les Landes, in Aquitaine, France. (CD Rom containing marriages celebrated in Les Landes, 1620-1802). Provided by Phillipe Dubedout.

Joseph de Maimieux: 1753 - 1820. Man of letters, Philologist, France. (Archives Biographiques Françaises Fiche: I 691,251-252 Title of Source: Hoefer. Paris. - 1852-1866 (46 tomes ). (W.B.I.).

Pedro Maimia: 1779. Carpenter, Accous, in Aquitaine, France. ("País Gascons" no. 207 Nov./Dec. 2001. Domenge Bidotgerma). Provided by Phillipe Dubedout.

Aleksei Maimik:1886. Firefighter, Estonia. (Archive: Baltisches Biographisches Archiv Fiche: I 219,253 Title of Source: Tetsmann,E., Tallinnas, E.; Soonpää, L.; Peterson, I.; Raudsepp, V. (toim.). - [Tallinnas]. - [1940] .  (W.B.I.).

 

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From: "La Lettre Sépharade No. 52"  Poem writen in Judeo-Spanish      

MY DIRECT ANCESTORS: CATALONIA, SPAIN   

                                                                                                                                    

CASSÀ de la SELVA, (map)  GIRONA

Cassà is located south of the city of Girona with an area of 46 Km2.  According to 1966 findings of archeological pieces of Greek, Etrusc and Roman ceramics, the town originated in the IV century B.C.  The first written reference dates from 882. In 1154 de Castell de Cassà was in the hands of the Cervià family and in 1360 it was acquired by  Gastó de Moncada.  The first census of 1359 counted 99 houses and less than 500 inhabitants.  In the census taken in the year 1515 neither of the variations of Maymí was yet found.  The census of 1553 counted 105 houses and 525 inhabitants, among whom the surname does not appear either.   Also, it does not appear, so far, in the church records of Cassà, before 1581.   During the XVI and XVII centuries there was a considerable immigration of French youth.  Today the town has approximately a population of 8,612 inhabitants, and about 12 families with the surname Maymí.  We have to consider that although apparently the surname did not exist in Cassà until 1581, it existed already in 1505 in the city of Girona.

The first Maymir family that appears registered in the parish of Cassà, in 1590, is the family of  Damia Maymir and his wife Margarida, whom I suspect, emigrated from the neighboring town of Caldes de Malavella, where the surname appears in the parochial registries since 1552.  There are small details that make me think that  there was a familiar relationship between the Maymir of Caldes and those of Cassà, like "padrinazgos or madrinazgos".  In 1581 appears an Antich Maymir as the godfather in three baptisms in Cassà.  According to the data found, Damia and Margarida had eight children, between 1590 and 1604; Antich, Marianna, Jauma, Mateu, Joseph, Salvi, Miquel and Miquel (2). In spite of all the registries studied , it has been impossible for me to find  the link between Damia and the one that was probably his grandson or perhaps his great-grandchild, my sixth g-g-grandfather, named Miquel Maymir.

My Direct Ancestors:

I- Miquel Maymir b: abt. 1633 in Cassà.  He died between 1693 and 1702 in Llebrers de Dalt. vicinity of Cassà, situated approx. 1.25 Km. SE of Can Maimí and 1.25 Km. North of Cassà.  (photo 1) (photo 2),  Occupation: "Perayre" = Artisan that treated wool. [6th g-g- grandfather]

....Sp: Esperança b: abt. 1648/57

....II- Ch: 1) Pere Maymir b: 1681 in Cassà. m: 18 May 1707 in Cassà.  d: 25 abr. 1754.  Occupation: Taylor. [5th g-g- grandfather]

...................Sp: María Cathalà b: abt. 1684 in Cassà.  Daughter of Bernat Català and Anna Ma. Cassà.

..................III- Ch: 1) Salvi Josep Martí Maymir Cathalà b: 22 June 1710 in Cassà. m: 5 Feb. 1738 in Cassà.  d oct 1769 in Cassà. Occupation: Taylor. [4th g-g- grandfather]

..................................Sp: Tecla Magdalena Margarida Dausà Carreras b: 9 March 1703 in Cassà, widow.  Daughter of Marti Dausa Ribot and Magdalena Carreras from Cassà.

.......................................Ch: 1) Pere Joseph Salvi Maymir Dausà b: March 1739 in Cassà. m: 18 Feb 1765 in Cassà.

.................................................Sp: Maria Estrader.

.............................................2) Marti Salvi Maymir Dausà b: 10 October 1740 in Cassà (IV). m: 27 Feb 1766 in Tossa de Mar. d: in Tossa.

.................................................Sp: Rosa Anglada Sala b: ca. 1745 in Vic, Barcelona.

.............................................3) Anna Tecla Maymir Dausà b: May 1743 in Cassà. m: 17 Feb 1765 in Cassà

.................................................Sp: Ygnasi Valls.

.............................................4) Reparada Maria Magdalena Maymir Dausa b: 12 October 1747 in Cassà.

...................................2) Miquel Maymir Cathalà  bapt: 23 Jan. 1713. m: 19 Nov 1740 in Cassa. d: 24 Jun. 1785 in Cassà.

......................................Sp: Margarida Barnes

 

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TOSSA de MAR, GIRONA

Located on the Costa Brava, two hours drive from Barcelona, has an extension of 38.2 Km 2. In the year 881, a small nucleus of population was detected in Turissa, what is today Tossa de Mar.   Its history as a town begins in 1186, when its inhabitants received the "Carta de Poblacion" to establish themselves in the "Mont Guardí" (see photo). The original construction of the walls began at the end of the XII century, being the only example of a fortified medieval town in the Catalan coast, called "Vila Vella".  Many of its houses are still inhabitated. Today, Tossa has approximately 5,260 inhabitants and about 5 families with the surname Maymí.

In the second half of the XVIII century a son of my 4th g-g-grandfather named Marti Salvi Maymí Dausá, born in Cassà, settled in Tossa, where he established his family.   

My Direct Ancestors:

IV- Martí Salvi Maymí Dausà b. 10 October 1740 in Cassà. m: 27 Feb.1766 in Tossa. Occupation: Builder. [3rd g-g- grandfather].

.......Sp: Rosa Anglada Sala b: abt. 1745 in Vic, Girona.  Daughter of Fortià Anglada and María Sala, nat. of Vic, Girona.

.............Ch: 1) Jaume Maymir Anglada b: 7 Nov. 1766 in Tossa (V).

...................2) Nicolás Maymí Anglada b: in Tossa.

...................3) Anna Magdalena Gerónima Maymí Anglada b: 17 Jan. 1768 in Tossa.  Sp: Narcis Camps. m: 4 may 1788.

...................4) María Teresa Tecla Maymí Anglada b: 23 Nov. 1770 in Tossa.  Sp: Sebastia Bosh. m: 30 nov. 1814.

...................5) Raimundo Maymí Anglada b: 30 Aug. 1773 in Tossa. d: 1885 en Puerto Rico.  Sp: Concepción Moreno na: en Caguas PR.

...................6) Ramón Maymí Anglada b: 1775 in Tossa. d: 1825 in San Juan PR.  Sp: Concepción Moreno b: in Caguas PR.

...................7) Furtia Joan Antón Maymí Anglada b: 21 Dec. 1779 in Tossa.

...................8) Esperanza Clara Antonia Maymí Anglada b: 17 March 1782 in Tossa.  Sp: Francisco Torras.  m: 27 Nov. 1820.

...................9) Rosa María Francisca Maymí Anglada b: 14 Feb 1785 in Tossa.

..................10) Orosia Teresa Francisca Maymí Anglada b: 8 March 1787 in Tossa.

.................11) Narciso Bartolomeo Fulgenci Maymí Anglada b: 15 Jan. 1789 in Tossa. m: 21 Mar. 1828. d: 15 Jul 1857 in Toa Baja, PR.  Sp: Ma. de la Trinidad Acosta b: in Caguas, PR.

******

..................V- Jaume Maymir Anglada b: 7 Nov. 1766 in Tossa. m: 7 May 1796 in Tossa. Occupation: Sailor. [2nd -g-g- grandfather]

...........................Sp : Margarida Bas Prats b: 28 March 1771 in Tossa.  Daughter of Francesc Bas Puig and María Bas Más, from Tossa.

..................................Ch: 1) Francisco Martí Vicenç Maymí Bas b: 10 Oct. 1797 in Tossa (VI).

........................................2) María Maymí Bas b: 17 Aug. 1799 in Tossa.

........................................3) Martí Maymí Bas b: 9 March 1802 in Tossa. d: 6 Oct. 1821 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

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THE EMIGRANTS:  PUERTO RICO   MAP                                          

The smallest island of the greater Antilles in the Caribbean, was discovered by Cristopher Columbus the 19th of November, 1493. At that time, the island had a population of about 50,000 Taino Indians, the first native known inhabitants. The Spanish Colonization began in the year 1508.

The book "La formación del Pueblo Puertorriqueño: La contribución de los catalanes, baleáricos y valencianos", by Estela Cifre de Loubriel, (San Juan, Puerto Rico 1975, Barcelona, 1975), includes, among other Catalan immigrants, the following:

#1642---"Maimir or Maymí Anglada, Narciso: Son of Martín and Rosa, of Tossa, Girona, merchant, of 24 years of age (or 14 years, according to his birth date). Came to Puerto Rico in the year 1803 to join his brother Raimundo, established in the island and owner of a trade shop. He returned to Spain in 1815". (P. 213).

His name appears in: "Licencias de Embarque a Puerto Rico 1797-1821", Archivo General de Indias, Ultramar, 494. (PARES).    

According to the respective church records, Narciso Maymí Anglada was born on Jan 15 1789 in Tossa, Girona and died at 70 the 15 of July, 1857 in Toa Baja, P.R.  He was married in Caguas, P.R. the 21 of March, 1828, to Ma. Trinidad Acosta born in that city, daughter of José Acosta and Ma. de la Trinidad Ximénez. Their children were: 

#1643---"Maimir or Maymí Anglada, Raimundo: Son of Martín and Rosa, of Tossa, Girona, merchant, established in  Puerto Rico in the year 1803. He sent for his brother --- Nicolás". (P. 213).

#1644---"Maimir or Maymí Anglada, Ramón: Son of Martín and Rosa, of Tossa, Girona, merchant, established in Puerto Rico in the year 1803. He was married to Concepción Moreno and died in San Juan, in 1825, at 50 years of age". (P.213).

Ramón Maymí Anglada was born in 1775 in Tossa, Girona.  He married Concepción Moreno daughter of Andrés Moreno and Clara Maldonado, the 10th of May,1802.  Their children, all born in Caguas, were: 

Narciso and Ramón established themselves in Caguas with their families. Of  Raimundo and Nicolás I have no more information at present.

Also mentioned in this book are:

#1803--- " Maymí Casas, Pablo. Son of Isidoro and Teresa; of Rosas, judicature of Granollers, Barcelona; single; artillery man of the fourth company of the Battalion of Artillery of Puerto Rico; died in San Juan in 1865". (p. 222). (It does not seem to be a close kindred between this two families).

#541--- " Camps Maymi, Francisco. Born in Tossa; 26 yrs of age, married with Antonia Bosch; store clerk; arrives in P.Rico in 1830 claimed by his uncle, Narciso Maymi, merchant, established in the island". (p. 139).

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TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico  photos _

_______

This was one of the first regions  explored by by the Spanish colonizers .   Founded on 1745 in the Shore of the Toa river, called today La Plata river, and located in the Northern coast, to the west of San Juan, today has an area of 62 Km2.  The mining or gold industry was its first economic source, although for a short time. Towards the end of the XVI century, thanks to the wealth of its land, and to the accessibility of fishing, agriculture and cattle ranches bloomed, getting to be of chief importance in  the XVIII century. In 1788 Toa Baja already had 2,203 inhabitants, being the first families that settled there of Canary origin.  The valley of the Toa was eventually divided in the townships of Toa Alta in 1751, Vega Alta in 1775 and Dorado in 1842. 

At the beginning of the XIX century Toa Baja was one of the main regions of the sugar industry in Puerto Rico.  In 1801 its population had increased to 3.552 inhabitants and in 1829 already existed sixteen houses and ten huts in the town and 128 houses and 275 huts in the fields.  But there were fluctuations in the population throughout the century, due to the displacement of the sugar production towards other towns and to the emigration towards the capital.  In 1898 Toa Baja had 4.030 inhabitants.  A century later, according to the census of the year 2000, the municipality counted with 94,085 inhabitants.       

Francisco Maymí Bas, nephew of the four brothers mentioned by Estela Cifre de Lubriel, was my   g-g-grandfather that emigrated some years later than his uncles, and settled down in Toa Alta, where he acquired a property. (Toa Alta,1820 census).  Later on, he settled in Toa Baja to get married. (FHL: Ma.Toa Baja 1815-1863).   He belonged to the "Milicias the Infantería" as Second lieutenant and was proprietor of the hacienda "El Molino de San Jacinto", in the area between the ward of Rio Lajas of Dorado and the ward of Contorno of Toa Alta, then pertaining to Toa Baja.  Eventualy this property was sold in shares.  (Source: Sucesión de Don Francisco Maymí, Contract of rent deed and Family Documents).    

His brother Martí Maymí Bas, who emigrated with him, passed away at nineteen years of age, according to a certification found in the parish of Tossa, sent by the chaplain of the hermitage of Our Lady of the Candelaria of  Toa Baja. In this certification the chaplain testifies that the 6 of October, 1821, he himself, celebrated the interment ceremony in the cemetery of this hermitage.  (Source: Registros parroquiales Tossa)

Document of a request for a passport corresponding to a trip to Tossa of the Maymí-Torrens family, between 1838 and 1839, could be read in the Spanish version of this web page.

The parochial registries in Puerto Rico were ordered by the Diocesan Sinod of April 30, 1645 celebrated in San Juan

My Direct Ancestors:

VI- Francisco Martí Vicenç Maymí Bas b: 10 October 1797 in Girona. m: 3 May 1823 in Toa Baja. d: 29 June 1859 in Toa Baja. Occupation: Landholder. [g-g- grandfather]

.......Sp: Jacinta Torrents García Cazuela b: 1803 in Toa Baja. d: 3 Oct 1871 in Toa Baja. Daughter of Juan Torrens and Josefa García Cazuela, both from Cataluña.

............Ch: 1) Ricarda Maymí Torrents b:  1824 in Toa Baja.

........................Sp: Antonio Rosell  b: in Villa Nueva y Geltrú.  d: 9 ago. 1876 in Toa Baja.

................. 2) Juan Francisco Maymí Torrens b: 1825 in Toa Baja. m: abt. 1852 in Toa Baja. d: 8 Jan. 1870 in Toa Baja.

......................Sp: María Loreto Cruells Sosa b: 10 Dec. 1826 in Caldedares, Barcelona, Spain. d: 11 Feb. 1905 in Toa Baja.

..................3) Jose Rufo Maymí Torrens b: 1827 in Toa Baja.

......................Sp: Dorotea García Román b: 1845 in Toa Alta.

..................4) Manuel Maymí Torrens b: 1828 in Toa Baja. (VII)

......................Sp: Carmen Izquierdo Rabels b: abt. 1845 in Corozal.

..................5) Jayme Maymí Torrens b: 1831 in Toa Baja.  He settled in Yauco, PR.  Sp: Teresa Cabrera. 

..................6) Agustin Maymí Torrens b: 1835 in Toa Baja. d: 27 Abr. 1871 in Toa Baja. Occupation: Parish Priest.

..................7) José Antonio Maymí Torrens b: 1836 in Toa Baja.  d: 30 Nov. 1916 in Dorado,

.....................Sp: Josefa Nieves b: abt. 1840 in Toa Baja. m: 1860 in Toa Baja.

.....................Sp (2): Escolástica Díaz b: abt. 1840 in Toa Baja. m: 1879 in Toa Baja.

.....................Sp (3): Ezequiela Ríos Medina b: 1861 in Toa Baja. m: 1881 in Toa Baja. d: 8 Apr. 1915.

..................8) Gerardo Maymí Torrens b: 1838 in Toa Baja.

.....................Sp: María del Rosario Landrón López b: abt. 1847 in Vega Alta

................. 9) Serafín Maymí Torrens b: 1840 in Toa Baja. m: abt. 1865. d:25 July 1911 in Bayamón.

.....................Sp: Florencia Salgado b: in Yauco

******

.......VII- Manuel Maymí Torrens  b: abt. 1830 in Toa Baja. Occupation: Landholder. [Great - grandfather]

................Sp: Carmen Izquierdo Rabels b: abt. 1845 in Corozal.  Daughter of José Santiago Izquierdo, b: in San Juan.  Occupation: Capitan y Teniente Coronel de las Milicias de Infantería and of Josefa Rabels, residents in de Toa Alta.

......................Ch:  1) José Jacinto Monserrate b: 8 sep. 1857 in Toa Baja.

                              2) Emilia Celestina b: 6 abr. 1861 in Toa Baja.

                              3) Francisco Maymí Izquierdo b: 1863 in Toa Baja. (VIII)

..............................4) Josefa Felicia Maymí Izquierdo b: 1868 in Toa Baja.  Sp: Juan Felix Fano Ascorra  b: 1857 in Lejona, Vizcaya.  d: in Toa Baja. Son of Felipe Fano and Petra Asscorra.

******

...............VIII- Francisco Maymí Izquierdo  b: 1863 in Toa Baja.  m: ca. 1880 en Toa Alta.  d: 1933 in Santurce. Occupations: Farmer, Landowner, Director Municipal Hospital, Santurce. [Grandfather]

.........................Sp: Manuela Izquierdo Serrano b: 1865 in Lares.  Daughter of Eladio Ma. Izquierdo Rabels, b: in Corozal and Ana Manuela Serrano Rios, b: in Lares.

...............................Ch: 1) Adela Maymí Izquierdo b: 1885 in Toa Alta.  d: 1 oct. in Santurce,  Sp: José Ma. Parés Bonhome.

.....................................2) José Ramón Maymí Izquierdo b: 1887 in Toa Alta.

.....................................3) Agustin Maymí Izquierdo b: abt 1889 in Toa Alta. fa: 1927 in USA.  Sp: Josefina Izquierdo.

.....................................4) Guillermo Maymí Izquierdo b: abt 1891 in Toa Alta.  d: in PR.

.........................Sp: (2) Rita Nevárez Landrón  b: 18 feb. 1866.  m: 25 June 1902 in Toa Baja. d: 6 Dec 1903 in Toa Alta. Daughter of Ceferino Nevárez Marrero b: in Toa Baja and Ma. Dolores Landrón Arnau, b: in Vega Alta.

............................IX- Ch: 1) José Rafael Maymí Nevárez  b: 6 Dec. 1903 in Toa Alta. m: 23 Dec. 1937 in Santurce. d: 10 April 1951 in Santurce. Occupation: Physician. [Father]

..............................................Sp: Eloísa Pérez Otero b: 3 Sept.1907 in Bayamon. d: 3 Dec. 1990 in Santurce.  Daughter of Eloy Pérez Vázquez b: in Comerío and Ma. Adelaida Julia Otero Cuyar b: in Bayamón.

..............................................X- Ch: 1) Margarita Maymí Pérez

 

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OBSERVATIONS:

An example of the evolution of the name is obvious with Marti Maymí Dausa, the first in the family registered with the "r" omitted from the surname. His first child appears in the registry as Maymir and from his second child on, the family name is registered in the church records as Maymí.

In her book, E. Cifre de Loubriel writes: " Maimir or Maymi....", which indicates, as we have mentioned before, that the surname was used indistinctively. Right here we can see clearly an evolution from Maimir to Maymi. Proof that this four variants are the same name.

The influence of the dominant languages in each historical period contributed to determine de spelling and pronunciation of surnames.  For example, the castellanization of many Catalan surnames.  But it is obvious that this had little effect on the surname Maymí.

More than five centuries later, according to the 2005 census of the, Catalan institute of Statistics,  we find only 326 persons, carrying one of the variants of the surname in all the four provinces of Catalonia.

Nowadays, today it can be said, that the number of people who carry the Maymí surname, or one of its variants, is greater in the American Continent than in Europe, although it continues to be very reduced.  It is known that at present it exists, at least, in Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and in the U.S.A.

 

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ONE FINAL NOTE: Surnames found today, around the world, with the roots "Maymí" & "Maimí" (Source: International directories & passenger arrival at Ellis Island).

Maimi (Italy) *Maimian (Gr.Britain) *Maimic (Hungary) *Maimiello (Italy) *Maimierca (Luxemburg) * Maimiere (Italy) *Maimieri (Argentina) *Maimiero (Italy & USA.) *Maimik (Estonia) * Maimiliano (Argentina & USA) *Maimín & Maimina (Russia) *Maiminas (Russia) *Maimind (Russia) *Maimini (Italy) *Maimiri (Italy) *Maimís (Greece, Suitzerland & USA)  Maimissen (Norway) *Maimistov-a (Russia & USA) *Maymichelle (USA) *Maymil (France, Luxemburg & Canada) *Maymín &  Maymina (Russia) *Maymind (USA) *Maymire (Gr.Britain) *Maymis (Greece) *Maymissen (Norway) *Maymistov-a (Canada).

 

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CURIOSITIES: During my research I have come accross these uses for the name Maymí/Maimí or its variants :

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Sources:

 

Other Link   

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Additional Bibliography:

 

Acknowledgments:

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El Morro Castle and city of San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Last updated: abr-09

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