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ArchivesRe: Viroqua
in reply to a message by Joyce
Viroqua is a town in Wisconsin, created not by Indians of the area (everything exotic in America gets 'Indian' slapped on it sooner or later) but by a white settler. The name was suggested some time later, possibly from a riverboat in the area called Viroqua (which some of the settlers crossed on), possibly from a popular Spanish-set novel of the time. Both sources would lead back to the original Spanish, Veragua. Originally a place in Spain, transferred by Ferdinand's explorers to an area of Panama and thus to boats and girls in the new world. There are also links to breeds of bulls and horses, from the activities of the landholders in Spain.
Veragua/Viroqua would mean 'riverbank' - very pretty really.
Devon
Veragua/Viroqua would mean 'riverbank' - very pretty really.
Devon
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Replies
Viroqua was my great-grandmother’s middle name. The family is Welsh going back more than a thousand years. My great-great grandparents immigrated to the United States in the mid 1800’s with their oldest son. My great-grandmother was born a few years later. No one in my family knows where the name originated, she is the only one in my family tree to have it as far as I have been able to find.All I know for sure is that she hated the name but not why. Personally, I think it’s a beautiful name and I wish I knew more about it. I wish I could be more helpful.
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What a fascinating history! Devon, thanks for sharing.
I guess the -agua part means water (agua, aqua), then. Veragua... hmm... I like it!
Lass
I guess the -agua part means water (agua, aqua), then. Veragua... hmm... I like it!
Lass
1
You're right :o) vera (bank) + agua (water). I can't remember which breed of bulls it is but one of them was strengthened or hybridised with Varagua's. Breeds are very important in Spain and SA and I grew up with a bloody (literally LOL) painting of a matador hanging in the dining room so I *should* remember...maybe someone else will have a clue though - I'm drawing a blank.
Devon
Devon
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