Surname Quecke - Meaning and Origin

Quecke: What does the surname Quecke mean?

The last name Quecke is of German origin and has a number of possible meanings. It is derived from the word 'Queck' which could mean 'quick' or 'quack' (a reference to the sound of a duck). Alternatively, it may have derived from 'Quincke' – a reference to a specific type of land in Lower Saxony, Germany, located in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.

The surname could also have derived from the Germanic words ‘Quack’ and ‘Quacken’ which mean 'to jump' or 'to sound'. This could mean that the name was given to someone who was particularly sprightly or loud.

The surname is recorded as far back 1237, when Heinrich Quecke was noted in a written record from Weissenfels castle in Germany.

The Coat of Arms associated with the Quecke surname is described as having a 'green shield with two golden diamonds in the vertical line divided by a silver circle, on a silver crown'. This symbol represents 'an industrious, honest and moral family'.

Regardless of its origin, the Quecke surname has been borne by many throughout history, including notable figures such as Albrecht Quecke who was a German statesman of the late 18th century.

Quecke: Where does the name Quecke come from?

The last name Quecke is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to be a baptismal name, traditionally used to denote someone who had been baptized at Easter. Some believe that the name originated in the thirteenth century and got its name from the Latin 'quercus', which translates as 'oak'. The name is also present in Eastern Europe, in countries such as Lithuania and Slovakia.

In Germany, the name can be most commonly found in and around North Rhine-Westphalia. This is believed to be because many people of this surname migrated to the area from other parts of Europe. In some cases, the name has been changed to 'Kucke' in order to fit in better with the local language.

Quecke is also present in the United States and other countries across the world, as people with this surname have immigrated to other countries throughout history.

No matter where it is found, Quecke is a largely uncommon last name. The name is estimated to have around 1,200 bearers across the world, with most likely originating from Germany.

Variations of the surname Quecke

The surname Quecke can be spelled in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to: Quick, Quicke, Queck, Quic, Queke, Quek, Quecken, Quicken, Queckin, Quicken and Quickenen. Quecke is a low German surname, derived from the Middle Low German word ‘quecke’ meaning ‘look down on’, and has been connected to the patronymic name with the suffix ‘-s’ added to it.

It is also possible to find the Quecke surname in various surnames of Dutch origin, including Quick (Quic, Quicke, Quecke, Quic van der, Quicken, Quickenen, Quicken van der, Quickenen van der, Quik van der, Quikken van der), Queck (Quecken, Queckin, Queckenen, Quekke), Queke and Quek. Furthermore, in some instances, the Quecke surname can be found in German spelling variants such as Quicke, Quicken, Quickenen, and Kuecken.

Due to immigration, there are numerous Quecke variants that have spread across Europe, especially in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In particular, the surname ‘Van der Queck’ is found in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and ‘Van der Quicken’ is a variant found in the Netherlands. Similarly, in France ‘Quicke de la Lorie’ can be found.

The Quecke surname can also be found in Anglicized versions such as Quick, Quicke, Quicken, Quickin, Quik and Queke. Furthermore, American spellings of the name include Quicke, Quicken, Quickin, and Quik, with some minor additional variations such as Quicking and Quicking. As a result of immigration, the surname has also spread to other countries including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Quecke

• Caspar Quecke: a Dutch soldier and historian who wrote the book “The History of the Batavian Empire.”
• Otto Quecke: a German Nazi politician during WWII.
• Magda Quecke: a German opera singer and classically trained contralto noted for her Wagnerian roles.
• Annegarette Quecke: a German-born Dutch actress, best known for her roles in pieces by Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
• Simon Quecke: a German politician who served as a minister in the German Empire.
• Wilhelm Quecke: a German U-Boat commander during WWI with 14 confirmed as sunk, the third highest in the German navy at the time.
• Heinrich Quecke: a German fighter ace during WWI who amassed 8 victories in the Fokker D.II aircraft.
• Alice Quecke: a Swiss actress known for her work in German theatre and television.
• Franz Quecke: a German politician who served as a minister in the German Empire.
• Christian Quecke: a German mathematician and cryptologist who developed the Enigma cipher machine during WWII.

Other surnames

Queck