Surname Becke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Becke: What does the surname Becke mean?
The surname Becke is of Anglo-Saxon origin, prevalent in England and Germany. It is a topographic name derived from the Middle English word "beche", meaning stream or brook. The old English word "bec" and the old Norse word "bekkr" also contribute to its source, all having similar significance related to water bodies. Therefore, this surname was typically given to people who lived by a small stream. Over the centuries, variations of the surname have evolved, including Beck, Beche, Becke, and others. The name Becke could also be of occupational origin, referring to someone who worked at a stream or a river, particularly in regions rich in water bodies. Interestingly, the word "beck" is still utilized in parts of Northern England to describe a small stream.
Order DNA origin analysisBecke: Where does the name Becke come from?
The surname Becke is of English origin. It is a topographic name which is derived from the Old English word "bece" meaning "beech tree." The name was used for someone who lived near a notable beech tree or in a beech forest. The surname can also be locational from any of the numerous places named with this word, especially in northern and eastern England. Examples include Beck in Cleveland and Humberside.
The occurrence of the surname has lessened over the years, and today, it is not as prevalent. Still, a fair number of people bearing the Becke surname can be found in England, as a continuation of its historical origins. Beyond the United Kingdom, countries, where English surnames were spread because of colonial expansion or immigration such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, might also have Becke among their population, though it may not be as common. Overall, the Becker variant is more common than simply Becke. Please note the demographics of surnames can change relatively quickly due to migration and natural population growth or decline.
Variations of the surname Becke
The surname Becke, of German and English origins, has diverse variations and spellings due to changes over time, regional dialects, and anglicization. Among the prevalent variants are: Beck, Becker, Becher, Beckett, and Beckman.
Beck evolved as an occupational surname in Germany, referring to a baker (from "bäcker"). Hence, Becker is a common variant. Other versions could be Beckert and Becher. Becket or Beckett, also linked to Becke, came from Old English "beo-cot" implying "bee cottage".
In some cases, the surname derives from geographical features such as streams or brooks (from Middle High German "beck" or "bach"). This resulted in names like Beckman (or Becman, Beckmann) meaning "man who lives by the stream".
In the UK, the surname Beake might be related to Becke. It's also possible that Becke has been altered to Bick or even Beach in some regions. The spelling variation Beke is found in early medieval records.
Due to immigration and adoption of surnames in new languages, some might have taken different forms like Bec, Bek, or Beak in Dutch or Danish contexts. However, all these names should be validated with genealogical sources since variations can occur even within the same region.
Famous people with the name Becke
- William Tufnell Le Queux, who used the pseudonym George Robert Becke, was a British journalist and writer.
- Derek Becke is recognised for his golfing achievements in Australia.
- Charles Becke was a NSW politician. 4.Charles Andrew Becke is well-known in military circles, having served as Lieutenant Colonel in the British army.
- George Becke, an Australian rugby union player, earned his fame in sports.
- William Becke was an English cricketer.
- Paul Becke is recognized for his work as a producer in the movie industry.
- George Lewis Becke, also known as Louis Becke, was an Australian short-story writer and novelist.
- Charles Becke is known for his chemistry contribution, especially in chemical thermodynamics.
- Christian Friedrich Becke was an Austrian geologist. Please note that exact spellings may vary, and some may use "Becke" as a pen name or professional name, triggering some ambiguity concerning their actual legal names.