Germans in Jamaica

Germans in Jamaica or German Jamaicans, are Jamaicans of German ancestry. The population was established in the 1830s when the abolition of slavery resulted in a labour shortage on the Caribbean island. Lord Seaford, who owned the Montpelier Estate and Shettlewood Pen in St. James established a European settlement in Westmoreland in order to combat the shortage, and over one thousand Germans migrated to Jamaica.[1]

Germans in Jamaica
Deutsche siedlung in Jamaika
Regions with significant populations
Jamaica
(Westmoreland, Trelawny)
Languages
Jamaican English, German
Religion
Seventh-day Adventist
Related ethnic groups
Other Germans, other White Jamaicans


The German language is no longer used on the island, but some German words have entered the Jamaican vernacular.[2] Many Jamaicans in Seaford and German Town in Westmoreland carry heavy European features such as blue eyes, blond hair, freckles and white skin, as a result of the German genetic influences.[2]

Notable people

Surnames

Bunnaman, Desterdick/Dusterdick, Diederick, Eldermire, Gardner/Gartner, Groskopf, Hacker, Haltaufderhide, Heholt, Hellwig, Kameka, Kleinhans, Nembhard, Radlein, Sauerlender, Schliefer, Somers/Summers, Stockhausen, Wahrmann, Wedemire/Wodemire, Worms

References
  1. "The Arrival of the GERMANS". Jamaica Gleaner. 2 March 2004. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  2. "Seaford Town: Westmoreland". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. 2005. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
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