Booysen

Booysen is an Afrikaner surname, also spelled Booyze, Booyse and Booysens. It is related to the English surname Boyce and Boysen in other Germanic languages.

The "Stamvader" Boy Booysen was the first of the generation of the Booysen family which was born in Germany and arrived in South Africa in the mid 1600s. He was a resident of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein in the Cape. The genealogy of the family can also be traced back to other "stamvaders" including Pierre Joubert (Jaubert) and Jean Durand.

Coat of arms

The Booysen coat of arms is green and gold with a bear standing on a helmet holding a bow. The green represents hope, joy, and loyalty in love. The gold represents generosity of wealth and elevation of the mind. The bear represents strength and ferocity in the protection of one's family. The bow represents a readiness for battle. The shape of the shield, with the flat top, rounded bottom and small central point, is the shape of a continental shield, suggesting that the bearer had much land, wealth and had explored.

The shield divided into quarters contains another image of the bear holding a bow in the top right segment. The top left and bottom right segments depict an oak tree with acorns, signifying strength, continuous growth (in mind/wisdom), and fertility. The bottom left segment is divided once more and is of a five-point star which represents a noble person/divine quality form above. The other half of that segment is half of a fleur-de-lis which represents purity and light (and may also represent that the bearer had a connection with France).

Notable people named Booysen

*Mario Booysen - a South African Football Defender for Ajax Cape Town FC Cape Town
*Henk Booysen - Gold medal in shotput at Athletics at the All-African Games 1995
*Sir Anders Johan Booysen - Stockenström, 4th baronet (1908-1957)
*Ockert Booyse – South African born 6ft9, 20stone, Rugby Union player. Playing career includes Viadana, Biarritz Olympique, Rugby Roma, Ebbw Vale, Bristol Shoguns, Neath Welsh All Blacks.
*Michael Booysen –Rugby Union, Fly half for Namibia (professional career length 1995-1996)
*Jurie Booysen – Rugby Union, Full Back for Namibia
*Jimmy Booysen – Silver medal receiver of Order of Mendi for Bravery in 2004
*Jaco Booysen – Cricketer for Easterns Under-19s, South Africa Under-19s, Titans Captain
*Fredrik le R. Booysen – joint author of “The Methodology of HIV/AIDS Impact Studies: A Review of Current Practices"
*Steve Booysen – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Absa Group Limited