Surname Folke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Folke: What does the surname Folke mean?
The last name Folke is of Old Norse and German origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse word 'folki', meaning people of a clan or family. It may also originate from the German word 'folc', meaning people or tribe.
The surname Folke dates back to the early 13th century. It was an occupational name given to a leader or headman, or someone who belonged to a specific social standing within the community. It was also used to identify a person who provided financial and military assistance to a local lord or ruler.
In the Middle Ages, the surname Folke evolved into several spellings such as Folk, Volke, Foulke and Foulkes. Today, Folke is a popular surname found mainly in Germany and Scandinavia. People with this name are known to be headstrong with a strong sense of justice and fairness. They are also viewed as caring, understanding and putting others' needs first.
Folke is an interesting surname that reflects a person's family history and social status. It is a great reminder of its origins and the values that it stands for.
Order DNA origin analysisFolke: Where does the name Folke come from?
The last name Folke is most commonly found in Sweden today, where it is one of the more popular surnames. It is also found in Germany, as well as other countries in Northern and Central Europe. In Sweden, records show that the name appears in the late 1500s and dates as far back as 1250 CE in Germany. The origin of the name is not entirely certain, but it is believed that it is derived from the same Old German root as "Folk", meaning people, and has been associated with nobility. It is also been suggested that the name may have been devised as a nickname for someone who was hardworking or industrious.
Folke is also a place name in Sweden, derived from the Latin word "folcus", meaning field. This could indicate that the surname was adopted by people who lived in the area around Folke, either as a sign of status or simply to identify where they lived.
The name is still popular in Sweden, and is often spelt Fölke. It is common among both families with a long history in the region, as well as among those who have recently emigrated from other countries. The name Folke is found throughout Sweden, as well as in other countries - including Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Folke
The surname Folke is related to the German word 'Volk', which means 'people' and is a medieval German surname. It is primarily found in the United Kingdom, United States, and Northern Europe. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Folke include:
Foelke, Foelken, Foelger, Foelkner, Foelkers, Folck, Folckes, Folk, Folker, Folkers, Folkers, Folkner, Folknerr, Folks, Foulc, Fulc, Fulke, Fulks, Volke, Volken, Volker, Volkers, Volkens, Volkerr, Vuolce, Vuolk, Vuolke, Vuolken, Vuolker, and Vuolks.
Foelke, Foelken, Foelger, and Foelkner are variants of Folke derived from the German 'Volk'. This spelling of the surname likely originated as part of the 15th or 16th centuries Flemish immigration to the UK and US.
Folck, Folckes, Folk, Folker, Folkers, Folkers, and Folkner are old English variants from the Old English words 'folc' or 'folcc', meaning person or people. This spelling is believed to have been used by Angles, who settled in the British Isles during the 5th and 6th centuries and later in the United States during the colonial period.
Folknerr, Folks, Foulc, and Fulc are early records of the surname and were most likely early adaptations of the German 'Volk'.
Fulke, Fulks, Volke, Volken, Volker, Volkers, Volkens, and Volkerr are medieval Germanic variants of the surname from the German 'Volk'. These surname variants are from the High German period from the 8th to the 12th centuries and are believed to have originated in Northern Europe.
Lastly, Vuolce, Vuolk, Vuolke, Vuolken, Vuolker, and Vuolks are variants of the surname from the Old Dutch language. They are believed to have originated with Flemmish migrants from the Netherlands who moved to England and the United States during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Famous people with the name Folke
- zerubabbel Folke, Actor
- Peter Folke, Sculptor
- Anna Folke, former Minister of Defense of Sweden
- Frans Folke, Inventor
- Dennis Folke, Entrepreneur
- Maria Folke, Author
- Olle Folke, Politician
- Siv Folke, Singer
- Staffan Folke, Painter
- Karin Folke, Musician