Probably named after Cornelius Kramer, a missionary at Griquatown just after 1800.
History
Kramersfontein may be named after the missionary Cornelius Kramer, who worked at Griquatown (PHR Snyman, Danielskuil: Van Griekwa-buitepos tot dienssentrum, HSRC, 1988, p. 9). However, this is not definitive, as the name may have a Khoi origin. The site, with its strong fountain, was the residence of a group of San (bushmen). After 1816, they lived under the leadership of Griqua missionaries, including Jan Kars (who became the owner of the farm) and Jan Hendrik. The community dug a canal from the fountain to the agricultural fields, where they produced large amounts of grain. The settlement was often visited by missionaries and explorers, travelling between Griquatown and Kuruman. After 1850, the San had moved away, and the site was occupied by Tswana (Snyman 1988, p. 21). In the 1870s, the new Griqualand West colonial government allocated the farm to the estate of Piet Kars (a descendant of Jan Kars), because Piet's daughter had married a Tswana who was then working the land (Snyman 1988, p. 26). After 1915, asbestos was mined on Warrandale by the Northern Asbestos Company, led by WH Addison (Snyman, p. 70).
