Surname Snoke - Meaning and Origin
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Snoke: What does the surname Snoke mean?
"Snoke" doesn't appear to have a specific meaning in any known language or culture. The name is relatively uncommon and has been popularized primarily by the character Supreme Leader Snoke in the "Star Wars" franchise. Some "Star Wars" fans theorize that the name symbolically conveys a sense of being shrouded in shadows or mystery, considering the character's secretive nature. Others propose it might be a combination of words, like "smoke" and "snake," suggesting a deceptive, dangerous character. However, these are fan theories and not confirmed by any authoritative source or by those who created the character. Therefore, the last name Snoke doesn't have a definitive, documented meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisSnoke: Where does the name Snoke come from?
The last name Snoke is most commonly found in the United States today. It is primarily of German origin, derived from the German-language word for "knife." According to the 2020 United States Census, there are approximately 3,400 individuals with this surname, most of whom reside in Pennsylvania, followed by Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, and Michigan.
The Snoke family name has a long history in the United States. The earliest known instance of the surname was Johann Snoke, who departed Germany in 1732 and settled in Pennsylvania. His descendants spread around the country, and in the following centuries, the Snoke name continued to be found in the eastern United States.
The largest Snoke concentration today is in the Susquehanna Valley region of Pennsylvania near the Pennsylvania/New York border, corresponding with the migration of the earliest Snokes from Germany to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Smaller concentrations can be found throughout the eastern United States, although it is likely that many of the Snoke families living outside of Pennsylvania are descended from the original Pennsylvania Snokes through migration from one state to another.
The Snoke name is also found in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and Germany, although the largest concentrations of the surname will likely remain in the United States.
Variations of the surname Snoke
The surname Snoke is derived from the Germanic personal name Schnoke, meaning “mighty one” or “fighter.” Variants of the surname in different language groups are Snaik, Snayk, Snek, Snerk, and Sneyk. Spellings include Snock, Snok, Snoke, and Snoak. It can also appear as Snaike, Sneeke, Snijker, Snocken, and Snuker. In some cases, the name has been shorted to Snök.
In English language contexts, Snoke is generally an Americanized spelling of Schneck, a variation of the German/Scandinavian Schmidt. This spelling also has variants as Schneckenberger, Schneckengost, Schneckenhammer, Schneckenmiller, Schneckenpfeffer, and Schneckenstein. In Scotland, the name is often seen in its anglicized form, Snook.
Snooks is also an alternative form of the surname. This spelling is a more modern version, having been derived from Snook in the 16th century. Other modern variations are Snooks, Snooke, Snuke, and Snook.
In Norway, the surname Snoke has been adapted to many alternative spellings, such as Snök, Snökel, Snøkel, Snökelberg, Snökernes, Snøkernes, Snokken, Snokland, and Snokenes. In Holland, the Dutch variant of the name is Snöcker, and some people with the name emigrated to America taking the Snoker spelling.
The 5 most commonly occurring surnames derived from Snoke, according to the White Pages, are Snook, Snoke, Snookes, Snooks, and Snokey.
Famous people with the name Snoke
- Andy Snoke: a professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame.
- Philip Snoke: an American economist and professor at Purdue University.
- Tom Snoke: American professional golfer who won the 1992 U.S. Open and 1998 PGA Championship.
- Max Snoke: German painter and sculptor who was part of the New Objectivity movement.
- Joe Snoke: longtime professional wrestler and trainer in the National Wrestling Alliance.
- Dave Snoke: an American politician who served on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013.
- John Snoke: author, professional speaker, and consultant in the areas of leadership development and organizational agility.
- Jacob Snoke: German-American FBI agent best known for his role investigating the 1989 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing.
- Philip Snoke: English academic and lawyer who was appointed a judge of the High Court of Justice in 2014.
- Douglas Snoke: American singer and songwriter who became well known in the 1990s after the release of his debut album.