Surname Runk - Meaning and Origin
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Runk: What does the surname Runk mean?
The last name Runk is of German origin and is thought to originate from the German word “runke” which means “curved or crooked”. This name was likely given to individuals who were known for their unusual traits such as being small, having an odd shape, or having a crooked nose.
The Runk surname is also commonly found in Pennsylvania, which is likely due to the influx of German immigrants in the 1700s. Individuals with this surname often had professions that used their physical features, including those in the woodworking industry or shipbuilding. An occupation in one of these trades could have resulted in individuals being described as having curved features.
The surname Runk is quite common, and it can be found in multiple countries in Europe, including Sweden, Austria, and Hungary. In some areas, the name has been changed to Runck or Ronk, with both of these names being derived from the same origin.
Today, the Runk surname is still widely found throughout Europe and the United States. As many of the founding members of the surname had occupations where they needed to use their physical features, the name may still be seen among woodworkers and builders. Although it may no longer bear a direct relation to physical traits, the Runk surname is a reminder of the hardworking individuals who had the strength and fortitude to take their skills across the seas.
Order DNA origin analysisRunk: Where does the name Runk come from?
The last name Runk appears to be commonly found in the United States and Canada, although its exact origin remains unknown. In the United States, it appears to have a strong concentration in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The surname is one of German or Swiss-German origin. It is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word 'runken' meaning 'to twist or bend' or 'to shrink or contract'. There is also a possible Czech-influenced origin, where 'run' means 'wide' and 'k' is the equivalent of the English 'x'.
It is also possible that the name originated from a place name in the region of Germany/Switzerland. There is a village in southern Germany called 'Runken' with an unknown origin meaning 'chnaan' meaning 'settlement'.
In the 2020 United States Census, the last name Runk ranked 10,649th most common surname in the United States with 1,056 people having the surname. In Canada, the last name is ranked much higher with a population of 3,685 people having the Runk surname. This makes it the 1,356th most common surname in the country.
Variations of the surname Runk
Runk is a surname of European origin that is most often found in the United States, especially Pennsylvania and Maryland. It is believed to be derived from German or Dutch and is related to the German word Rünken, which means 'a curved portion or recess', suggesting that the first Runk ancestors were people who lived on or near curved land formations or bayous. Other variants/spellings of the surname Runk include Runck, Runke, Ronk and Ronke.
Runk is an uncommon surname, but there are other surnames related to it that are found throughout Europe. Several surnames of similar phonetic spelling in Germany, most likely resulting from the evolution of dialects, include Runke and Ranke. Runge and Riege are also related surnames, which date back to Germany. Dutch- and Flemish-speaking regions of Europe also have variant spellings of the Runk surname, such as Runck, Runkes and Roncken.
In addition to Runk, there are other surnames in the order of it that suggest a similar ancestral background, such as Rank, Rancke, Rang, Runkl and Renken. Although they may have been derived from different sources, all of these surnames refer to a curved piece of land or body of water, which are likely to have been the locations of the ancestral homes of the Runk family.
It is likely that the Runk family has evolved from any combination of these related spellings and surnames. From Germany to Holland and Pennsylvania to Maryland, this unique and unusual surname has spread far and wide across the world. Today, the Runk surname is found in a variety of spellings throughout Europe and the United States.
Famous people with the name Runk
- John Runk: Actor who has appeared in films like Blow Out (1981), Milk Money (1994), and Donnie Darko (2001).
- Vincent Runk: Musician who has released albums such as Days of Affliction (2016) and Echidna (2018).
- William Runk: Scientist and engineer who designed some of the earliest modern submarines.
- Christina Runk: Award winning poet and author who has published several works such as Catskin (2014) and Chasing Swallows (2018).
- Joseph Runk: Politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Owensboro, Kentucky from 1981 to 1985.
- Elizabeth Runk: Educator and survivalist who wrote the book Raising Wolves: A Guide to An Alaskan Way of Life (1994).
- Marie Runk: Professional bassist known for her work with the rock band Kingsized.
- Robert Runk: Professional golfer and instructor who won the 1995 Alaska State Golf Championship.
- Roberta Runk: Smithsonian Institution researcher who served as an editor of the Academic American Encyclopedia.
- Travis Runk: Celebrity chef and restaurateur who appeared on the TV show MasterChef in 2011.