Surname Harcke - Meaning and Origin

Harcke: What does the surname Harcke mean?

The last name Harcke is of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic word “hark” which translates to “hawk” or “eagle”. It is thought that the original bearer of the name could have had certain qualities akin to the bird such as an observant, sharp or a wise nature.

The name Harcke is said to have originated in the Harz region of central Germany during the Middle Ages. Records dating back to this time indicate that the Harckes were a prominent farming family. Other records indicate that they were likely merchants and traders travelling across Europe for business.

The surname is quite common in Germany, and it is also found in other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Austria. Some famous people with this surname include Hans Harcke, a German jurist, and Gotthard Albrecht Harcke, an artist and painter.

Today, the surname Harcke is a representation of the dynamic, observant, and resilient characteristics associated with the bird. It is also a reminder of the family’s proud German heritage and their time-honoured traditions.

Harcke: Where does the name Harcke come from?

The last name Harcke is most commonly found in Germany and Central Europe.

Geni Obituaries has recorded people in various parts of the world with the Harcke surname, including the United States, but the and largest concentrations of people with the last name are found in German-speaking countries.

According to Forebears, the Harcke last name is most prevalent in Germany, where it ranks 2,129th in popularity. It is also commonly found in Austria, ranked 6,743rd in the nation, and Switzerland where it ranks 16,223rd. The surname is also listed as appearing in Lithuania (31,489th) and Norway (41,906th).

In the United States, Harcke is considered to be an uncommon surname. U.S. Census data indicates that there were less than 500 people with the Harcke surname in 2000. Out of this, the majority were found in Missouri (353 people), with North Carolina (60 people), Minnesota (38 people) and Texas (36 people) making up the rest.

Though found in other countries, the Harcke last name is very much concentrated in Germany and other parts of Central Europe today.

Variations of the surname Harcke

The variants, spellings and surnames of Harcke are Arkke, Arkhe, Harde, Hardke, Hardtke, Hartke, Hartkeh, Harck, Harckeh, Harcken, Harckman, Harckmann, Harckmeister, Harckmeyer, Harckemeister, Harckemeyer, Hardecke, Hardkahl, Hardkeh, Hardtmann, Hardtmeier and Hardtmeyer.

The name Harcke has its roots in Germany and is derived from the language of Low German. It originated as an occupational name for a keeper of hares or rabbits, a driver of geese or swine or a herdsman of swine. Variants and spellings for the surname were created from Middle High German "feet" which meant hog and "hara" which means a hare or rabbit.

The surname Harcke can be found throughout Germany but more commonly in Northern Germany. It may have also originated in border areas with neighbours of Czech and Dutch descent and may now also occur in both the Netherlands and Czech Republic. The variants of the name may include variations due to language influence over the centuries, as well as slight spelling differences. It is possible that there are other spellings outside of those listed here that exist due to the diversity of the surname.

Famous people with the name Harcke

• Robert Harcke: Robert Harcke is a former American football player who played as an offensive guard in the National Football League between 1952 and 1961. He was an NFL Champion in 1956.
• Werner Harcke: Werner Harcke was a German professor of law and an important legal theorist in the Weimar Republic. He contributed significantly to the development of the idea of public welfare as it exists in German law.
• Franz Harcke: Franz Harcke was an Austrian painter and cityscape artist from Vienna who was active in the early twentieth century. He favored depicting Vienna’s secular life, especially in his later works.
• Natascha Harcke: Natascha Harcke was a German alternating and individual synchronized swimmer, who won many medals in the sport. She competed at the Olympics in 1984 and 1988 and was a part of the German Synchronized Swimming team.
• Marie Harcke: Marie Harcke was an American artist, and a leader in the Dada art movement. She created abstract works of art that used the heart as a central theme, often with an underlying message of love.
• William Harcke: William Harcke was an American politician and a state legislator in Tennessee. He was vocal in his opposition to Governor Benton McMillan’s 1930s Reconstruction efforts in the state.
• John Harcke: John Harcke is a contemporary American education expert and a leading proponent of global citizenship education. He is the author of “Advocacy and Action: The Role of World Citizens in a Globalizing World”.
• Joe Harcke: Joseph Harcke is the third generation head of the Harcke family business in Pennsylvania, which specializes in meat and poultry production.
• Harold Harcke: Harold Harcke was a German luger and World Cup champion. He was one of the top lugers of his time and is best known for his 1959 world championship victory.
• Richard Harcke: Richard Harcke is an American psychiatrist who is an innovator in the treatment of eating disorders. He is currently a professor at the University of California, San Francisco.

Other surnames

HarckHarckenHarcks