A letter I got from someone. Is this a German or Austrian name? I have been trying to trace the name Metpenfaul(sp?). This is the name that my wife's mother's family has for her great grandfather. They believed it was German, but I have not found it listed amongst German surnames. Seeing your surname of Metnitz has caused me to think perhaps there is such a surname, but Austrian, not German. If you have any information on such a surname, I would be appreciative of your assistance in tracking it's origins, etc. My wife's grandfather was purportedly a trader on the south seas who was murdered in a dispute when his young son, who was half Ponepean, was 7 years old. The mother also died shortly after and the son was sent to live with Catholic Priests in the Philippines. So, very little was ever known about my wife's grandfather, just a story passed on by the priests. No one has been sure of the surname, so if you can help me verify that there is a Metpenfaul surname, they would all be very grateful. Sorry for such a long letter, I just wanted you to understand the circumstance behind the request.