insan wrote:james_mav wrote:ahristos wrote:NOT Garam
>Caram-Ali
I think you'll find it's Kara-manlis. "Kara" in turkish means "black" I think. I have no idea if "manlis" is of turkish origin or not, it might stem from "Manolis" - Karamanlis => Karamanolis => Black Manonis => Manolis from the Black Sea? Who knows. I don't think he is a turk in disguise though.
[Although I did actually shake his hand once!]
His surname derives from Karaman, a town in Turkey. Ancestors of Karamanlis migrated to Greece from Karaman before exchange of populations. It is said that Greeks of Karaman r not really Greeks but Turks.
Karamanli= Someone from Karaman.
http://www.garamanlilar.com/frm/showthread.php?t=3580
Greeks and Armenians resided in Karaman. In fact i have an Armenian friend whos ancestors came from Turkey and his name is Karamanoukian. I wouldnt call him a Turk though as that might really upset him.
As for Karamanlis...i think he was born in Athens.
