History:

This surname is a part of South African history. Instead, its spread and development are connected to internal movements and social changes within South Africa, especially among the Thembu people. As families expanded and looked for new opportunities, they likely moved within the region, bringing this surname with them. The prevalence of this surname also shows the impact of naming conventions and how surnames were formalized during the colonial period. Its important to consider that oral histories and local situations are key to understanding the specific paths of families with this surname, providing more detailed stories beyond general migration patterns.

Description:

The surname Mandela comes from the Thembu Kingdom, which was in the Transkeian Territories, now part of South Africas Eastern Cape province. The religion associated with MANDELA surname is christianity.
Nelson Mandelas great-grandfather on his fathers side, Ngubengcuka, ruled this kingdom. One of Ngubengcukas sons, named Mandela, was Nelsons grandfather and the origin of this surname. Because this surnames namesake was the kings son through a wife from the Ixhiba clan, a "Left-Hand House," his descendants couldnt inherit the throne. However, they were recognized as hereditary royal advisors.

One of Nelson Mandelas great-grandfathers was named Mandela, and he is the source of this surname. The text also mentions that Nelson Mandela was Xhosa.

One of Nelson Mandelas grandfathers was named Mandela, and this is where Nelsons surname comes from. This surname was a son of Ngubengcuka, the ruler of the Thembu Kingdom. Because this surname was the kings child through a wife of the Ixhiba clan (a "Left-Hand House"), his descendants were morganatic. This means they couldnt inherit the throne but were recognized as hereditary royal councilors.

Here are the different ways the surname Mandela has been spelled: Mundela, Mandella, and Mandal.